Creature in the Well is a great game on the Nintendo Switch. This game is a pinball-style adventure starring a robot tinkerer. This robot finds itself at an abandoned electrical plant and must revitalize it. They aren’t treated very nicely by anyone living near the plant as there is a creature causing mischief. This robot simply wants to help but isn’t given the reception he deserves. The robot will also meet a frog who is the janitor of the facility. He has been waiting for someone to come save the day for a long time and is genuinely surprised to see this robot visitor. He at first laughs at the robot but soon realizes that maybe this robot can defeat the creature. The frog is one of the only characters to interact with our hero, and it is nice to see a kind face when leaving the dungeons periodically.
In this top-down adventure game, players must aim balls at different targets ala Pinball. While not directly pinball, balls will bounce off walls and hit a variety of bumpers. By hitting bumpers and items players will gain electric charge which is necessary to bring back the plant. It’s an intricate battle system that will require players to focus intensely at times or risk losing out on extra voltage. The balls will ricochet off everything they touch. It can sometimes get crazy especially since multiple balls might be in play. The robot will also have to take out robots who will continue to shoot at them. Sometimes the player will die simply because they won’t realize a ball is a shot coming for them. Player’s will need to keep on their toes and aim as precisely as possible.
This game often takes pinpoint accuracy as things can move rather fast. Most of the time players will hit one switch and have seconds to hit the next switch. It can be brutal to hit say twenty different objects in quick succession. Since the balls will ricochet it’s not always possible to guide them to the next target. Sometimes the player will just have to be lucky and that is okay. Players will guide their robot friend through dungeons that will test their mettle. There are eight different dungeons for players to fight their way through. Each offers different trials for the player to undertake. It won’t always be so cut and dry but clearing each dungeon will bring the Power Plant back from destruction.
The dungeons each have their theme and are distinct from each other. Player’s often will unlock different dungeons so if they get stuck in one they can work on another to take a break. It’s important to work through each but sometimes they can wear a player out. Player’s will need to restore the factory to unlock different routes and they won’t all be accessible at the same time. Depending on the switches active, the available routes will change slightly.
The robot will find different weapons that will change how they fight. Some might be stronger than others, while some might possess special powers to aid the robot’s fight. It’s important to gather as many weapons as possible. These weapons are the only thing protecting this lone robot from the creature. The creature isn’t going to take nicely to a usurper working to take back the factory. Being armed to the teeth is going to be a boon to our hero. Also, be on the lookout for different gear. This gear might be the last thing to stand between the robot and the creature. This gear can change the robot and its defenses. It’s important to pick the right gear for the job and to think about what could come next. Though honestly, the player won’t expect to fight huge bosses in such an out of the way place.
There are even boss fights in this game, which can get rather intense. The creature wants nothing more than to take out the hero. This hero is taking up the creature’s time and he will unleash wicked forces to take him out. These bosses will test the player’s skills and can offer a deeper challenge. It will take everything the player has learned to take out this wicked beastie. I wasn’t expecting such vicious combat in this game. While little enemies made sense huge boss battles seemed less likely. Though they are fun additions to such a chaotic game.
Creature in the Well is an interesting take on a great game. The explosive pinball action helps to make this a game worth playing. The combat is surprisingly fluid and the story deep enough that most people should enjoy it. Even if players don’t enjoy regular pinball they are sure to enjoy the frenetic action within this game. Will the player help the robot deal with the Creature in the Well?
Disclaimer: A review key was provided