Downwell

 PC
User Score
6.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 140 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 81 out of 140
  2. Mixed: 31 out of 140
  3. Negative: 28 out of 140

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  1. akidan
    Oct 22, 2015
    9
    That was pretty fun, I guess. I'll give it another go.

    Wow, combos are pretty cathartic. Nice. Okay, one more game.

    Holy crap, so many gems... alright, just one more game.

    ...

    just one more game..
  2. bosscharlie
    Oct 23, 2015
    9
    I bought this game first on PC. I had so much fun with it I purchased it again on my iPhone as soon as I had to leave my PC. If you enjoy fun, buy this game.
  3. antonima
    Nov 15, 2015
    9
    This is an excellent ARCADE GAME. As in, you play it for 30 minutes, do something else, and come back later. Yes, you will lose every time. Yes, it is unfair. But, every 10th game when you make it to the 3rd level, and every 50th game you make it to the 4th level, your heart will be pumping! And, it has a surprising amount of depth and replayability as you learn how to maximize combos, useThis is an excellent ARCADE GAME. As in, you play it for 30 minutes, do something else, and come back later. Yes, you will lose every time. Yes, it is unfair. But, every 10th game when you make it to the 3rd level, and every 50th game you make it to the 4th level, your heart will be pumping! And, it has a surprising amount of depth and replayability as you learn how to maximize combos, use the different weapons, and choose upgrades in between stages. Really, for $3 this is the best value I've ever gotten from a game.

    It surprises me so many low reviews!! Probably kids see the very high metascore, buy it for just $3, and then are frustrated they can't master it immediately. Sheesh, that is the beauty of unforgiving RNG games.    … Expand
  4. fedakar57
    Aug 20, 2016
    0
    This game is nothing more than a snack. It is VERY VERY VERY hard to beat. Really hard. I just spent my ******* 24 hours to beat it and force my willpower but nothing happened.
  5. somedude14
    Mar 24, 2016
    1
    Combo system is addictive for a few minutes, but the game itself is lacking a lot of substance, the roguelike element is simply a cheap way to extend length in what's otherwise a game that has no challenge, the music is uninspired, the graphics are incredibly dull. It's another one of these NES-era inspired games, but not a good one, instead it's the kind you'd rent as a kid afterCombo system is addictive for a few minutes, but the game itself is lacking a lot of substance, the roguelike element is simply a cheap way to extend length in what's otherwise a game that has no challenge, the music is uninspired, the graphics are incredibly dull. It's another one of these NES-era inspired games, but not a good one, instead it's the kind you'd rent as a kid after spending an hour looking at everything else in the store because all the good games were gone, then immediately having your parents take it back for in-store credit for a future rental after playing for 15 minutes and realizing how bad it was.… Expand
  6. Blaxpupas
    Mar 16, 2016
    9
    i think everyone can see this is a masterpiece on gaming with its leve design and arcade similarity, having an almost perfect sidescroller videogame for IOs and PC.
  7. TroikaP999
    Apr 15, 2017
    9
    Fun. Chaotic fun, but fun nonetheless. Insanely difficult. This game's not about "have you beaten it?", it's "how far have you got". It's pretty fun to compare your high score to your friend's high score
  8. ashketchum
    Mar 31, 2018
    6
    Downwell is a fun game, that is progressively challenging, but once you've played it for a few minutes, you've basically experienced all the game has to offer in terms of content. There are upgrades and such, but the gameplay is fairly limited, and gets repetitive quite quickly due to this. However, for what it's worth, it is initially a pretty good time killer, and a polished game thatDownwell is a fun game, that is progressively challenging, but once you've played it for a few minutes, you've basically experienced all the game has to offer in terms of content. There are upgrades and such, but the gameplay is fairly limited, and gets repetitive quite quickly due to this. However, for what it's worth, it is initially a pretty good time killer, and a polished game that deserves to at least be checked out.… Expand
  9. RagingPoet
    May 12, 2018
    8
    Downwell is good arcade game, mechanics are simple, but extremely satisfying. It is easy to learn and very hard to master. The game is short but highly replayable.
  10. Neatqt
    Feb 25, 2019
    9
    Cast: n/a
    Story: n/a
    Fun: 9/10
    Gameplay: 10/10

    Recommended
    ----------------------

    This game accomplishes exactly what it wants to accomplish.
  11. diego24star
    Dec 16, 2018
    9
    Pretty fun game for playing in your free times and a pretty good game for playing try hard beacuse is frustrating for complete it but so satisfactory.
  12. Bitbat
    May 26, 2021
    10
    What is it that makes me like this game so much? For 3 bucks you can't go wrong. It's a just one more run kind of game plus you get to rescue a cat at the end.
  13. sitebender
    Mar 26, 2019
    6
    Downwell feels dreadfully overrated, but from looking at other users, I guess not. It's just a simple experience and despite being procedural generated, manages to feel the same most times you play. So you get random weapons... wow. That's what makes the game addictive, the fact that you MIGHT get something new next time.
  14. C45513
    Jan 13, 2021
    8
    Best-in-class for its price. Fast and super tight gameplay, tons of style, and easy to pick up and play for short stints. That being said, I definitely found it hard to put down. For me, it's definitely one of those "one more run" kind of games.
  15. tommydlbass
    Jan 2, 2021
    8
    Fun roguelike little game with a minimalistic art and a fantastic gameplay. Is fun and very hard.
  16. Tromble
    Jun 28, 2021
    7
    Downwell is a fantastic little roguelike but is is dripping with untapped potential.

    I would recommend Downwell.
  17. Hub-i
    Nov 16, 2022
    10
    Very difficult skill based gameplay and great replayability , Downwell is an indie masterpiece. The way it combines the platformer and vertical shooter is genius. 10/10.
  18. Charbles18
    Apr 15, 2022
    8
    Crunchy, fun, endlessly replayable arcade-style game. The roguelike structure perfectly enhances a pick-up-and-play structure that appears to be the basis of the game. It excels perfectly at what it does, and only gets an 8 due to the inherent limitations of this kind of gameplay. More than worth $3.
  19. APolChrome
    Aug 19, 2023
    8
    (Reseña sacada de mi cuenta de Steam: APolChrome)

    Downwell es... curioso. Es un juego con un género muy moderno (como son los rogue-likes), pero muchas cosas muy arcade. Pero, lo hace sorprendentemente bien. No me lo he pasado antes de escribir esto por pereza, porque engancha que no veas. El gameplay es el mayor exponente del juego. Es simple: eres un hombre que baja por un pozo con    (Reseña sacada de mi cuenta de Steam: APolChrome)

    Downwell es... curioso. Es un juego con un género muy moderno (como son los rogue-likes), pero muchas cosas muy arcade. Pero, lo hace sorprendentemente bien. No me lo he pasado antes de escribir esto por pereza, porque engancha que no veas.

    El gameplay es el mayor exponente del juego. Es simple: eres un hombre que baja por un pozo con unas botos pistola. Ya está. En 4 fases con 3 niveles cada una (sin incluir el boss final), tendremos que demostrar nuestras habilidades como bajador de pozos. Los controles son sublimes y es frenético como pocos juegos, aunque a veces se pasa de frenético , teniendo demasiados enemigos en pantalla. La vida es escasa y eso el juego lo sabe. Conseguir vida es difícil y te dan 1 punto la mayoría de veces, por lo que no puedes tirarte a lo loco. Pero para eso están los estilos, que añaden pequeñas variaciones (como no tener mejores, tener más vida...) al gameplay y que hacen todavía más distinta cada run.

    La mecánica más grande del juego (y la que le da variedad) son las mejoras. Al igual que en la mayoría de juegos del género, al superar un nivel, nos darán la opción de escoger entre algunas mejoras. Algunas son de ganar vida de manera directa (como la manzana, que da 4 PS al instante) o indirecta (como la de consumir enemigos muertos), que al conseguir gemas suceda algo (como que se recarguen las botas pistola o que suelten una bala para arriba) o efectos que afectarán a como juegas (como el dron, que duplica tus disparos). Aunque no reinventan cada partida, si que las varían bastante y hacen que cada partida tengas que plantearla de manera diferente.

    Audiovisualmente, es un juego de máquina arcade casi, con gráficos 8 bits y una música del mismo número de bits. No me extrañaría que con lo imaginativa que es la comunidad alguien haya hecho una máquina arcade para Downwell, porque le pega estar en un salón recreativo.

    Como la narrativa es nula, solo voy a decir que Downwell me parece un juego muy sólido y que por 3 €, puedes llegar a sentirte un ladrón ante tal robo que estás cometiendo. Recomendadísimo (sobre todo para ratitos de 10 minutos en los que no sabes qué hacer)    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

49
#49 Best PC Game of 2015
54
#54 Most Shared PC Game of 2015

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. Games.cz
    Jan 4, 2017
    50
    Downwell is an arcade game with purposefully archaic look and Spartan equipment for gaming masochists. Fans of retro, speed run and especially extreme difficulty will be thrilled, others should let their hands off!
    Read full review
  2. Pelit (Finland)
    Sep 28, 2016
    60
    Procedurally-generated levels are the new zombies. The design does not work beyond mobile gaming. [Aug 2016]
  3. CD-Action
    Jan 12, 2016
    90
    You shoot monsters with your shoes while falling at high speed. Why? Because video games, that’s why. [13/2015, p.71]
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