Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 15
  2. Negative: 0 out of 15
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  1. Aug 30, 2020
    91
    It’s a refreshing change compared to other entries I’ve played in and around the genre and one that ensures I’ll keep coming back to Descenders regularly for the foreseeable future. After all, a few more runs and I might just be able to make it through the forest completely unscathed.
  2. Aug 31, 2020
    90
    The procedurally generated tracks look and feel great, providing plenty of challenge for those looking to master the downhill course, but being welcoming enough for casual players looking for something more than another Trials-clone.
  3. Aug 25, 2020
    80
    After each descent you want more. More speed, more show, more fun, Descenders is the classic easy to play hard to master game, embellished with rogue-like elements that exponentially increase its longevity.
  4. 80
    Descenders is a speedy, addictive bike riding game with an innovative rogue-like structure and is one of this year's great hidden gems.
  5. Aug 23, 2020
    80
    Descenders is an essential experience of arcade racing, inspired by the great 90s classics, which relies on a crazy sense of speed and adrenalinic gameplay. It may be a little bit rough in terms of visuals, but it's hectic and fun.
  6. Aug 24, 2020
    79
    Downhill biking with relaxed drum’n’bass and the occasional stunt. A decent port with slight visual deficits compared to the PC original.
  7. Sep 7, 2020
    75
    Descenders isn't exactly the prettiest or most varied game out there. But as a virtual downhill experience in this day and age, you can't do much better than this game.
  8. Aug 23, 2020
    75
    Descenders is a little rough around the edges, and it can be punishing, but there's a lot to get stuck into, with a satisfying gameplay flow and a brilliant soundtrack.
  9. 75
    Descenders offers up some excellent arcade biking thrills in short bursts, with the multiplayer prolonging the fun. The simplistic nature of the gameplay will grate eventually, but it's worth investigating for those who want a two-wheeled adrenaline rush without too many frills.
  10. Aug 31, 2020
    70
    Despite an old-gen aesthetic and some minor issues, Descenders is a good downhill arcade racer with pretty good SSX and Tony Hawk's vibes.
  11. Aug 23, 2020
    70
    It’s rare for a roguelite to be a relaxing, refreshing experience, but Descenders manages through its short levels and reflex-based gameplay. Between its high top speed and breakbeat soundtrack, it manages to find a useful niche for those after a quick pick-up-and-play.
  12. Aug 23, 2020
    70
    Descenders is a solid experience if you’re looking for a time waster that you’ll return to over and over. While constant screen tearing issues hamper its presentation quite a bit, the game has solid controls, as well as simple though endlessly entertaining mechanics. While the controls aren’t the tightest we’ve seen, they do everything adequately and contribute to the fun. Add in the wide range of biomes to race through, including some more wacky ones towards the end of the game, and it makes for one fun package. And that’s to say nothing of the fun little gimmicks, like the first-person mode and the trials-style courses. Descenders has everything you could possibly want in a downhill cycling roguelite.
  13. Aug 21, 2020
    70
    Descenders is a game that once you get to grips with can be a lot of fun, unfortunately, it probably has one too many flaws for it to be considered great.
  14. Sep 25, 2020
    60
    Descenders can be entertaining for a few hours and although some of its mechanics such as controls and physics are sub-par compared to other games in the genre, it still offers enough cool gameplay moments to be considered an okay indie game.
  15. Sep 9, 2020
    60
    Descenders is one of those rare games that procedural generation makes it less fun. I wish it was a fine-tuned experience instead.
User Score
5.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 23 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 23
  2. Negative: 10 out of 23
  1. Aug 30, 2020
    0
    Probably a decent game; I don't know because constant severe framerate drops make it unplayable.
  2. Aug 20, 2023
    4
    This one is a mixed bag for me. Sure, it's fun at first, presentation is ok, generated tracks are random so you're promised to have someThis one is a mixed bag for me. Sure, it's fun at first, presentation is ok, generated tracks are random so you're promised to have some replay value, but then it gets dull and repetitive real quick. And then, when you want to actually win something, comes frustration. It might be good when you're starving, but there are other, better games to play. Full Review »
  3. Jan 15, 2023
    7
    Game isnt much to look at graphics wise but the gameplay is actually pretty fun. I used to love to play downhill domination on PS2 and can sayGame isnt much to look at graphics wise but the gameplay is actually pretty fun. I used to love to play downhill domination on PS2 and can say this is far superior to that. Full Review »