Unwell

About Unwell

Unwell is an indie adventure-platformer that doubles as a psychological descent. Developed by Anaesthetic and released in 2026, it’s a single-player game for PC and Linux. You play as someone waking up in a decrepit corridor, guided only by the need to move deeper into a decaying environment. The game mirrors a fractured mind, with puzzles and platforming challenges tied to navigating its surreal, oppressive setting. Minimal dialogue and a focus on atmosphere over action make it a tense, introspective experience. Think of it as a slow-burn puzzle-platformer where the real enemy is your own sense of direction.

Gameplay

Most sessions involve moving through crumbling corridors, solving environmental puzzles to progress. Platforming sections require precise jumps and timing, while adversaries force you to choose between hiding, distracting, or fighting. Puzzles often involve manipulating the environment, like shifting platforms or aligning light sources, to bypass obstacles. Combat is minimal but stressful, relying on stealth or quick reflexes. The game’s core loop is exploration under pressure: you’re constantly aware of the need to descend deeper, but the environment itself resists you. Controls are tight but demand attention, and the lack of save points amplifies tension.

What Players Think

PlayPile users rate Unwell 9.2/10, with 91.7% positive reviews. 83% of players complete it, averaging 11 hours. The mood is split between mysterious (58%) and tense (42%), with 93% noting its atmospheric design. Critics praise its “haunting visuals” and “nervous pacing,” though some call it “overly punishing.” Achievements include “Descent Completed” (unlocked at 100% completion) and “The Gray Conquered” (defeating the final boss). At $19.99, it’s seen as a short but impactful buy. One user wrote, “It feels like walking through a nightmare you can’t escape.”

PlayPile's Take

Unwell is a niche pick for puzzle-platformer fans who crave mood over action. The $19.99 price matches its concise 11-hour runtime, and the achievements add replay value for completionists. It’s not a deep narrative but a mood piece that leans hard on tension and environmental storytelling. If you’re okay with a cryptic, sometimes frustrating experience, it’s worth the jump. Skip it if you prefer structured gameplay or fast pacing.

Storyline

You regain consciousness. Beside you lies a broken and rusted ladder, and in front of you stretches a dark, damp-smelling corridor. In the distance, you hear the sound of falling water. You have no idea where you are. All you know is that you must go deeper. Game about a troubled mind succumbing to the calls of the void. Will it endure it's last stand against The Gray? Traverse the troubled depths of human psyche with caution. Sometimes the most perilous adversary of the mind is its own consciousness. Choose your way of dealing with the troubled mind adversaries. Hide, distract or fight back. Seek the way down.