Downwell

 PlayStation 4
User Score
7.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 47 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 47
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 47
  3. Negative: 8 out of 47

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  1. drlowdon
    May 12, 2018
    5
    Downwell is a rouge-like with the simple premise explained by the apt title. Put simply you literally have to travel down a well avoiding/killing enemies until you reach the bottom and move on to the next stage. Along the way gems can be collected that allow you to purchase special powers, such as additional lives or more interesting items like jet boots.

    In short bursts Downwell is    Downwell is a rouge-like with the simple premise explained by the apt title. Put simply you literally have to travel down a well avoiding/killing enemies until you reach the bottom and move on to the next stage. Along the way gems can be collected that allow you to purchase special powers, such as additional lives or more interesting items like jet boots.

    In short bursts Downwell is relatively fun and thus probably more suited to the PS Vita than the PS4. The gameplay is however very one-dimensional and doesn’t evolve in any shape or form and as a result, having to start over every time you die quickly became a little tiresome.    … Expand
  2. Kaprawiec
    Jul 13, 2016
    10
    One of the best games i EVER played. So addicting!! Seriously, why bother with making overhyped AAA games like Watch Dogs or other over 100 milion $ budget BORING TO DEATH games with superb graphics when pack of guys can manage to make game that You just cant put down because of that ok, one more go (40th or so). Get it its so cheap, besides Devolver always deliver - best developer out there :D
  3. Haasmik
    Sep 28, 2017
    9
    This game is about as unassuming as a game can get. The Graphics look like they belong on the ZX Spectrum. The controls and mechanics are still very to the games roots as a Mobile Game. So much so that watching the short introduction to the Controls on the PS4 version i audibly muttered " Wait, Is that it" much to the confusion of my Spouse.

    But making the by-the-cover assumption that    This game is about as unassuming as a game can get. The Graphics look like they belong on the ZX Spectrum. The controls and mechanics are still very to the games roots as a Mobile Game. So much so that watching the short introduction to the Controls on the PS4 version i audibly muttered " Wait, Is that it" much to the confusion of my Spouse.

    But making the by-the-cover assumption that this game is passable and not worth the time of day is a major mistake. This game is so good and it's unassuming and simplistic nature makes it that much more enjoyably satisfying when uncovering its hidden mechanical depths.

    This game is all terms is a rogue like. As the player continues further and further down the well, they will unlock perks that will change the game play ever so slightly. like extra health or slower fall speed. The available gem currency can be turned in for upgrades at the Shops throughout levels that will increase Ammo Count and Base Health. This currency also doubles up as the XP for the character. With each level up the player with receive either a Theme, changeable via the pause menu, or a new stance.

    Stances mix up the game play significantly and allow you to pick one at the start of each descent. These stances tend to have pros and cons that will enable to player to choose based on preferred play style. One Stance has More Base health but is less likely to come across a Shop during their run, for example. This ability to change stance after playing for a while may, like it did for me, enable further progression through the levels and no become stagnant as the difficulty increases.

    And the difficulty does increase over time. by the time you are reaching further and further down the well, the game will become significantly harder. The game introduces more difficult enemies throughout but also changes in the terrain, adding spiked stalagmites to platforms and even water levels in which the player need to collect air bubbles to thwart the constant danger of drowning.

    The Culmination of this Game is another thing entirely behold, but I will allow that to be a surprise.

    In summary, this game was something i went into blindly but with low expectations off the bat. I'm glad to eat crow and say that i was wrong in my aspersions and the game has ended up being one of my favourites I've played this year. The Game play is fast paced and satisfying with enough depth to strategically plot your next run through and try to maximise what is available, keeping you fixed on it for hours.    … Expand
  4. UnrealResults
    Apr 27, 2018
    10
    Its just an amazing arcade-ish adventure-ish i don't know what to call this, its just awesome and i recommend to most people.
  5. MEMESAREPEOPLE
    Feb 20, 2020
    8
    Fancy a difficult descent down a well in a 2D rogue-like platforming shoot-em-up? Give Downwell a spin! With an easy to learn, hard to master concept, and the high difficulty similar to the olden days, Downwell is a fun little piece that WILL test you.

    The premise is simple. You are a boy with gun boots, you see a well, and curiosity overwhelms you. In terms of the control set, you    Fancy a difficult descent down a well in a 2D rogue-like platforming shoot-em-up? Give Downwell a spin! With an easy to learn, hard to master concept, and the high difficulty similar to the olden days, Downwell is a fun little piece that WILL test you.

    The premise is simple. You are a boy with gun boots, you see a well, and curiosity overwhelms you. In terms of the control set, you move, you jump, and you shoot your gun boots. That’s it. It may be a simple concept, but its made more flexible with the implementation of different types of gun boots and upgrades to choose from at the end of each level. Picking up gun boot types will reward you by either giving you more HP or more ammo overall, encouraging you to experiment. Make no mistake, this game is rock solid and it WILL test your mettle, especially on the Hard difficulty. You will die, a lot. However, the immense feeling of satisfaction upon completion and the fairly short and fast paced length will keep you coming back with the thought, “One more run”. There are two types of progression found in Downwell. One is where you level up by collecting gems, the games currency, to unlock cosmetic palettes and non-cosmetic character styles. These styles affect how the moment-to-moment gameplay works. For example, the boulder style gives you more HP at the beginning of each run, however, gives you fewer upgrades to choose from at the end of each level. These styles can dramatically create a difference between hard failure, and a successful run. The other type is simply getting better at the game by learning through death, found in almost every other rogue-like found on the market.

    All-in-all, Downwell is a simple, yet difficult 2D descent down a well, where death will inch you further into its depths. While the high difficulty of this game won’t suit everyone, however, it will satisfy those who crave a challenge.    … Expand
  6. FYM
    Sep 16, 2019
    10
    There's not a single thing that I would change with Downwell. The graphics are perfect for its purpose, the gameplay is incredibly lean and completely centered around a single core idea. It's not for everyone, but in its own way Downwell is perfection.

    Oh, and it's bloody hard too!
  7. Tugulli
    Mar 16, 2020
    9
    It's a very nice little game, useful for when you have little time to play. If only there were separated levels I would like it more. Still, very nice pastime overall.
  8. clanky9
    Oct 11, 2021
    8
    this game is great 2d shooter i wish more people knew about this game. for me its 8/10
  9. valente_nebula
    Aug 18, 2021
    6
    Downwell is a brilliant little game, with tight controls, a frenzy fast gameplay, old school 8 bit graphics, and... a difficulty level that will make it very hard for 90% of players to actually enjoy. It's a shame that there's no way to control difficulty, as this game deserves more people to try it out. Despite being short, the lack of any progression save makes things even worse, makingDownwell is a brilliant little game, with tight controls, a frenzy fast gameplay, old school 8 bit graphics, and... a difficulty level that will make it very hard for 90% of players to actually enjoy. It's a shame that there's no way to control difficulty, as this game deserves more people to try it out. Despite being short, the lack of any progression save makes things even worse, making you start all over every 5 or 10 minutes. I think there could've been a better way to balance things out here, to avoid so much frustration.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

67
#67 Best PS4 Game of 2016

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. Digitally Downloaded
    Jul 12, 2016
    80
    It’s addictive, it’s charming in its retro design, and it absolutely has the “just one more go” thing about it that can turn a short play session into a marathon.
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  2. GameCritics
    Jul 5, 2016
    80
    The difficulty of Downwell will turn away just as many players as it attracts. While persistent effort will ultimately unlock alternative starting stats that benefit less-skilled players, the game starts players from zero after each death—it’s a formula that will either exhaust or inspire the player depending on how they feel about this kind of experience. As for me, Downwell joins the ranks of Spelunky as a go-to, action-oriented roguelike, but I expect many who try it will quickly shelve it for less difficult adventures.
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  3. DarkStation
    Jun 27, 2016
    80
    Downwell is highly recommended, whether you have a few minutes or several hours to devote to getting down this well.
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