Downwell

 Switch
Downwell Image
Metascore
88

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 95 Ratings

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  • Summary: Downwell is a curious game about a young person venturing down a well in search of untold treasures with only his Gunboots for protection. Make your way further and further down into the darkness filled with nasty creatures and mysterious secrets to collect the spectacular red gems scatteredDownwell is a curious game about a young person venturing down a well in search of untold treasures with only his Gunboots for protection. Make your way further and further down into the darkness filled with nasty creatures and mysterious secrets to collect the spectacular red gems scattered about the rocks. Step into precariously placed shops and buy some helpful items or level up between levels to battle well-dwelling monsters and uncover hidden caves filled with riches and relics. No two trips down the well are ever the same.… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. Nintendo Force Magazine
    Aug 22, 2019
    100
    Downwell is the quintessential $2.99 indie game. [Issue #38 – March/April 2019, p. 18]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Digitally Downloaded
    Jan 31, 2019
    90
    I definitely don’t regret the download – even though my Switch is bloated full of titles, I can see myself always coming back to Downwell whenever I need to fill a short five to ten minutes.
  3. NintendoWorldReport
    Jan 31, 2019
    90
    After years of hearing how cool Downwell is, it’s great to see just how fantastic it really is. It’s a straightforward, no-nonsense masterclass in design where it’s super easy to sit down with the intention of playing for five minutes and walk away a dozen runs and more than an hour later. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some gun boots to fire off so I can get to the bottom of this well.
  4. Nintendo Life
    Jan 31, 2019
    90
    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.
  5. GamingTrend
    Feb 22, 2019
    90
    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.
  6. God is a Geek
    Mar 8, 2019
    90
    With controls feeling slick whichever way you play, the Switch version comes recommended due to its versatility and if you’ve yet to take the plunge (literally) with Downwell, there’s never been a better time to do so.
  7. Vooks
    Jan 31, 2019
    80
    If you have the patience and desire to fail often and learn from your mistakes, Downwell is well worth falling into.

See all 11 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 15
  3. Negative: 2 out of 15
  1. CJMoka
    Dec 27, 2020
    10
    Best new arcade game in years!! Put more hours into this than many games 30 times the price! What a gem!
  2. AliPMcG
    Aug 19, 2020
    10
    I love Downwell, how it hits the perfect balance of simplicity, randomness and extreme difficulty to make it brutally punishing, but alsoI love Downwell, how it hits the perfect balance of simplicity, randomness and extreme difficulty to make it brutally punishing, but also really addictive. I'd had it on Steam for a couple of years before I got it on Switch, and I finally completed it on Switch after well over 100 hours of play across both platforms. It is a very hard game to beat, but I loved it even more when I discovered that the prize for beating it is that you unlock Hard Mode.

    Also I love the fact that the Switch version has a TATE mode. To be honest I don't understand how people can complain that this is a mobile game, when it feels to me like a textbook old-school arcade game. I wouldn't even want to play this with touchscreen controls - this game is worth buying a Nintendo Switch and a Flip Grip for!    … Expand
  4. Gaming69
    Dec 19, 2020
    10
    why is this mobile game rating so low had to give it a 10 to even out what this really is. more than a mobile port something special
  5. G-Verse
    Jun 15, 2020
    8
    A very fun game, especially for a port of a mobile game. Got it on sale for a dollar but had I known this game was so much fun, I would’veA very fun game, especially for a port of a mobile game. Got it on sale for a dollar but had I known this game was so much fun, I would’ve paid the full three dollars in a second. The gameplay is inspired and engaging and the concept of using gunboots to plummet down a well and stomp baddies to replenish your ammo is so innovative and unlike anything I’ve played. The difficulty is at a perfect balance for me where I’m not blazing through the different stages in an hour, but I’m slowly getting farther and farther each time I sit down and play it. On the other side of the coin, it’s difficult enough of a game, but not so difficult that deaths seem unfair or I get frustrated to the point of not wanting to play anymore. Many will say that it’s “just a mobile port >:(“ but if you’re looking for an inexpensive yet fantastic game for the switch, I couldn’t recommend it enough. You probably have three dollars’ worth of credits on your account anyway.… Expand
  6. TheSeahorse
    Feb 7, 2019
    8
    The movement is smooth, jumping on enemies is satisfying and the amount of understanding you get about the game from each run is just enoughThe movement is smooth, jumping on enemies is satisfying and the amount of understanding you get about the game from each run is just enough to make you want to keep going deeper.
    A phenominal little indie game for just 3$!! You can probably get that for free with your gold coins, definitely try it out!    … Expand
  7. fitmmedia
    Mar 29, 2019
    8
    A steal for the amount of replay value that is provided.

    The average game lasts 1-5 minutes so expect to die a lot until you master the    A steal for the amount of replay value that is provided.

    The average game lasts 1-5 minutes so expect to die a lot until you master the balance of falling, shooting, jumping without being hit by something... The controls are simple and the game is easy to pickup, but difficult to master and the levels are never the same so there is constant variation even though you will probably find yourself at the beginning a lot. Really fun in quick bursts. Recommended.    … Expand
  8. Gamer77077
    Jul 26, 2019
    0
    why is this mobile game rating so high had to give it a 0 to even out what this really is. just a mobile port nothing special

See all 15 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

7
#7 Best Switch Game of 2019

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