The Bottom of the Well
Released Mar 2016
Play as Alice who has just had an unsettingly life-like dream about the end of the world, and is retelling it to her friend. A single play-through might take as little as 20 minutes, but experiencing all the possible paths Alice can take through the ruins of her city will take you many hours.
85% positive · 591 reviews
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence
Where to get it
Free on Steam
Evaluation
The Bottom of the Well is a free-to-play visual novel that launched on March 3, 2016. After launch, the developer shipped patches and quality-of-life improvements through 2016 and 2018 — including a skill check system (June 7, 2018), a new interactive desktop feature in a beta branch (July 5, 2018), and a final update on July 31, 2018 that brought the desktop system and new secrets to the main branch. That July 31, 2018 post is the last official communication from the developer, now nearly eight years ago (as of June 2026). The only DLC ever released — a Soundtrack and Wallpaper Pack — shipped on April 20, 2016, and no DLC has been announced or listed as unreleased since. The developer never published a roadmap or announced any future content beyond what was already delivered. The game's update history shows a pattern of gradual quality-of-life improvements rather than a commitment to ongoing major content releases, and no development activity has occurred since July 2018. This is consistent with a small-scope, self-contained visual novel that has reached its finished state.
Evidence
Final developer post: desktop environment expanded with new chat logs, unlockable pictures, and secrets. Mentions more improvements planned for upcoming releases, but no follow-up communication has occurred since this date.
Beta branch received a fully functional interactive desktop system with mp3-player and persistent notes, described as a new storytelling avenue with plans to expand story hooks.
Content
1 of 1 released · no outstanding content
Media
Details
Developer
Publisher
Red Nettle Studio
Achievements
12
Platform
Windows
Controller
—
Steam Deck
Not rated
Players
Single-player
About this game
The Bottom of the Well
A visual novel where Alice steps into a different kind of wonderland.
In The Bottom of the Well, you play as Alice who has just had an unsettingly life-like dream about the end of the world. She retells her experience to her friend in a huge, branching narrative. Although a single play-through might take as little as 20 minutes, experiencing all the possible paths Alice can take through the ruins of her city will take you many hours.
The game is intended to be replayed several times with different permutations of Alice: try playing as a survival-minded lone-wolf, or a social butterfly, or why not attempt the difficult but rewarding romantic route? The stats you select for your Alice in the beginning of the game influences everything from small comments to major choices.
This is an updated, reworked and improved version of my entry to the WAG (Write A Game) Challenge arranged by IGDA's Game Writing SIG, where it placed first in the amateur category. The jury had this to say:
- WINNER: THE BOTTOM OF THE WELL
The Bottom of The Well delivers an entertaining, branched story with interesting options. Alice's dream is genuinely terrifying. The conversations feel natural and appropriate. Players can randomize their character stats, but still negotiate the game with deliberate and meaningful choices. The final game stats give The Bottom of the Well immense replay value. One judge played the game several times to find the "best" ending!
A visual novel where Alice steps into a different kind of wonderland.
In The Bottom of the Well, you play as Alice who has just had an unsettingly life-like dream about the end of the world. She retells her experience to her friend in a huge, branching narrative. Although a single play-through might take as little as 20 minutes, experiencing all the possible paths Alice can take through the ruins of her city will take you many hours.
The game is intended to be replayed several times with different permutations of Alice: try playing as a survival-minded lone-wolf, or a social butterfly, or why not attempt the difficult but rewarding romantic route? The stats you select for your Alice in the beginning of the game influences everything from small comments to major choices.
This is an updated, reworked and improved version of my entry to the WAG (Write A Game) Challenge arranged by IGDA's Game Writing SIG, where it placed first in the amateur category. The jury had this to say:
- WINNER: THE BOTTOM OF THE WELL
The Bottom of The Well delivers an entertaining, branched story with interesting options. Alice's dream is genuinely terrifying. The conversations feel natural and appropriate. Players can randomize their character stats, but still negotiate the game with deliberate and meaningful choices. The final game stats give The Bottom of the Well immense replay value. One judge played the game several times to find the "best" ending!
Are these done yet?
Last evaluated Jun 15, 2026
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