Downwell Reviews

Downwell is ranked in the 91st percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
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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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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Edmond Tran
Top Critic
8 / 10
Jan 31, 2019

Challenging, accessible and engaging. Downwell is a focused action-platformer done well.

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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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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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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

May 30, 2016

Downwell truly feels like a classic NES game both in aesthetics and in difficulty, which paired with incredibly addictive gameplay makes the under $5 Downwell at least worth giving a try.

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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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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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90 / 100
Feb 22, 2019

Simple, sweet, and oh so stylish, Downwell is a perfect fit on the Switch. With its easy-to-learn controls, steep but fair difficulty, and some great looking pixel art, this is a must have for anybody wanting a little challenge on their handheld hybrid.

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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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Feb 6, 2019

For the price of a cup of coffee it’s hard to deny that Downwell is a great addition to the Switch’s ever growing library of popular indie titles. Downwell has been around since 2015 but this version on Nintendo’s console feels like a fresh addition to the roster.

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80 / 100
Jun 4, 2016

There is no better feeling than leaping off a platform and, for what seems like several seconds, not getting stopped by the level's geometry and managing to dodge the oncoming wave of bats, ghosts, and wall crawlers.

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9.5 / 10.0
Jun 1, 2016

Downwell is pretty much the best mobile game on the go for the Vita. If the iOS controls were better, I wouldn't have felt the need to make the platform jump. But it plays so well on the Vita, it's practically perfect.

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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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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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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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Drew Leachman
Top Critic
9 / 10.0
May 31, 2016

It's not a game you play hours on end, but definitely something that can be enjoyed for small chunks in between games, and for that cheap price, it fits right in with the entire rougelike nature of the game. It's a small, fun, and easy addiction that many will really enjoy all for a cheap price.

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9 / 10
Jan 31, 2019

This is an excellent port of a game that feels like it's found a natural home on Switch thanks to a plethora of control options and the console's natural facility with vertical orientation. Short of popping your 4K TV on its side, Switch offers the very best way to play Downwell. Its roguelike structure and twitch platforming might not be for everyone, but you should really give it a chance. For our money, it's a modern classic that should be in everyone's collection.

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7.5 / 10.0
Jun 2, 2016

A frenzied pace, a deep gameplay and a high level of difficulty: these are the ingredients of Downwell, a solid and billiant videogame, which is still unable to get completely rid of its mobile origins, though.

Review in Italian | Read full review