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The Bottom of the Well

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2016

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Quick resume

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.

Global score

85/100

Genres

Role-playing (RPG), Free To Play, Visual Novel, Adventure

Pros

  • Free to play
  • Engaging narrative with multiple endings
  • High replayability
  • Customizable character stats
  • Atmospheric art and music

Cons

  • Short playthroughs
  • Repetitive early dialogue
  • Lack of save points
  • Some ui and skip function issues
  • English language only

Motivations

  • Autonomy
    4

    "Players customize Alice's stats and make meaningful choices that affect the story and outcomes, indicating high personal control over actions."

  • Competence
    3

    "The game involves strategic decision-making and managing character stats to survive, requiring skillful choices rather than repetitive tasks."

  • Competition
    -4

    "The game focuses on individual narrative experience and personal exploration without any indication of player comparison or leaderboards."

  • Continuation
    4

    "High replayability with multiple endings encourages repeated playthroughs to discover new outcomes and the true ending."

  • Cooperation
    -5

    "Single-player visual novel with no multiplayer or cooperative elements; gameplay is entirely individual."

  • Creativity
    3

    "Players create different Alice characters with varied stats and experiment with choices, enabling creative exploration of story paths."

  • Domination
    -5

    "No evidence of exerting control or superiority over others; interactions are narrative and cooperative in tone."

  • Escapism
    4

    "The immersive apocalyptic dream narrative provides a strong escape from reality and engages players in a fictional world."

  • Expectation
    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest in story and exploration; no obligation or external pressure noted."

  • Experimenting
    4

    "Trial and error gameplay with multiple choices and character builds encourages players to experiment with different strategies."

  • Exploration
    3

    "Multiple branching storylines and endings promote discovery of new narrative paths and secrets."

  • Expression
    2

    "Character customization of stats and choice of preset Alices allows some degree of self-expression within the narrative."

  • Fantasy
    3

    "The game is a fictional, surreal narrative inspired by Alice in Wonderland with apocalyptic and dreamlike elements."

  • Fellowship
    -5

    "No social or community features; gameplay is solitary and focused on individual experience."

  • Growth
    3

    "Players learn from repeated playthroughs and develop strategies to reach the true ending, reflecting personal development."

  • Health
    -5

    "Sedentary visual novel gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."

  • Idle
    -4

    "Requires focused reading and decision-making; not designed for passive or background play."

  • Intimacy
    -4

    "Interactions are limited to scripted dialogue between Alice and her friend; no deep social or emotional connections formed by players."

  • Leadership
    -5

    "No leadership or group management elements; player controls only their own character."

  • Progression
    3

    "Character stats and inventory items accumulate and influence story progression, reflecting growth and acquisition."

  • Relaxation
    2

    "Atmospheric music and narrative create immersive tension balanced with calm moments, though the theme is often dark and suspenseful."

  • Sensation
    1

    "Simple black, white, and red art style with piano music provides moderate sensory stimulation appropriate to the mood."

  • Status
    -5

    "No social recognition or popularity mechanics; achievements are personal and not publicly ranked."

  • Story
    5

    "Strong narrative focus with multiple branching plots, character dialogue, and immersive storytelling."

  • Strategy
    4

    "Players must plan character stats and choices carefully to survive and unlock the true ending, involving problem solving."

  • Thrill
    3

    "Tense apocalyptic setting and risk of death create suspense and emotional engagement."

  • Value
    5

    "Free game with rich content, multiple endings, and replayability offers excellent return on time investment."

  • Violence
    1

    "The game involves death and survival but no graphic combat or destruction; violence is implied rather than explicit."

  • Survival
    5

    "Core gameplay revolves around surviving nuclear apocalypse through resource management, choices, and character stats."

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    Last update: 06/03/2026