Downwell Reviews

Downwell is ranked in the 91st percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
Unscored
Oct 19, 2015

That I love the game even with a Virtual Boy palette is testament to how lovely it is. Very lovely. And very smart.

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10 / 10.0
Oct 20, 2015

These are the kind of things you learn as you delve deeper and deeper into Downwell's four worlds (three levels each) and they are presented intelligently. For example, the first spat of blood red enemies that you shouldn't be jumping on all have spikes, video game shorthand for danger. Later ones won't warn you so nicely. And of course there's trial and error, too, like touching a hot stove, for those who don't get it.

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80 / 100
Oct 21, 2015

Downwell may not have the lifespan of Spelunky or Nuclear Throne, games that have continued unfolding over years for their players. But it also doesn't appear to be aiming for such heights. Its focus is as straight and unyielding as the well down which it drops you. It is fun and addictive, but moreover it's adrenaline-pumping and shocking in its barbarity.

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4.5 / 5.0
Oct 21, 2015

Downwell is a fantastic arcade game from the '80s transplanted into a modern-day computer. The pixely art style and minimal color palette reinforce its influences but the animation and number of different moving parts on screen at once are nothing 80s hardware would have been able to keep up with. The interlocking gameplay elements are far smarter than they look at first glance, teaching you how to play and get better while also not being shy about killing you dead.

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9.5 / 10.0
Oct 21, 2015

It takes a damn good game to stop me from pooping, and Downwell had me in its thrall as I desperately needed that crap. Desperately.

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Recommended
Oct 22, 2015

Don't let appearances deceive you - Downwell's retro chic aesthetic is the wrapper for an incredibly deep, satisfying game.

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9.1 / 10.0
Oct 23, 2015

Most purposely difficult games that have arrived in the wake of Super Meat Boy, Spelunky and Dark Souls are embodiments of a failure to understand that there's more to those games than just how hard they are, often making the only thing enjoyable about them the fleeting sense of achievement you get when you finally overcome a poorly-designed obstacle through luck or trial and error. Downwell, with its velocity and elegant simplicity, does not make that mistake. It's a difficult game, certainly, but it's also a generous one, likely providing its player with great heaps of joy for a ludicrously small time investment.

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80 / 100
Oct 29, 2015

Downwell is a simple and fun 2D platformer. Its unique gameplay makes it fast-paced and challenging, and its roguelike qualities keep it from growing bland or frustrating. Spend a little time with this game and you may get hooked too.

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4.5 / 5.0
Oct 29, 2015

A fantastic action-platformer with roguelike elements; Downwell is a pleasure to play. It's easy to pick up with a very high skill-ceiling. At such a low purchase-price it is hard not to recommend to anyone who enjoys a bit of challenging, fast and rewarding gameplay.

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7.5 / 10.0
Nov 6, 2015

The action is entertaining, but the incentive to complete run after run isn't there

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Dec 3, 2015

Downwell is an unique take on the shoot em' up and roguelike genres that is sure to keep you coming back.

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IGN Italy
La redazione
Top Critic
9.2 / 10.0
Dec 20, 2015

Please do yourself a favor and buy now Downwell, on PC or on iOs, wherever it suits you. This masterpiece has a thing that most of modern AAA games lack: pure fun. A wonderful shoot'em up and a love letter to the genre.

Review in Italian | Read full review

9.3 / 10.0
Jan 8, 2016

Easily one of Devolver Digital's best releases from last year, Downwell is an old-school delight that won't let you down in the least. It's difficult at times, but still utterly rewarding when it comes to exciting gameplay, plenty of unlockables and a right-at-home presentation for NES fans. Now we just need a console release to seal the deal.

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7 / 10.0
Jan 13, 2016

A fun game that will keep your frustrated and wanting more but with short play time and quick turnaround it might be something you put down before too long.

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7.6 / 10.0
Feb 25, 2016

Downwell is not a highly complex game nor it it contains any moral dilemma to resolve, but the charisma of its world, the ease with which it presents its controls and its tiny but constant challenges presents us with a role model for the current roguelike and arcade.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

7 / 10
May 24, 2016

Unless Lassie's got our back, then we'd never normally want to get lost down a well – but Downwell is a strong exception. This fun little freefallin' title ties you up in its gun-boot antics, and is difficult to put down once you casually drop in. The action's perhaps better suited to vertical screens, and it can be a bit obtuse – but for the price of a Big Mac, this is one deadly descent that deserves your tuppence.

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USgamer
Top Critic
May 27, 2016

A weird hybrid of downward-scrolling shoot 'em up and platformer, Downwell is a challenging, but highly addictive arcade game that's a great test of your concentration and reflexes. Its gameplay does lack variety, but when played in short bursts, it's a lot of fun.

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8 / 10.0
May 27, 2016

Downwell manages to blend simplicity with hidden, challenging depths to create a unique take on the platform and shoot 'em up genres that is hard to resist from the moment you first jump into that well. It may not have the lifespan of similar titles, and it occasionally feels a little cheap in later stages, but that doesn't stop it from being a highly enjoyable descent.

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May 27, 2016

Downwell is a brilliant and downright addictive addition to the PlayStation Vita's library. It's one of the best fits for the handheld, and is a pure joy to play in short bursts.

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7 / 10.0
May 28, 2016

Downwell is a very fun action-packed experience that's definitely a worthwhile download for any old-school gamer.

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