Downwell

 Switch
Downwell Image
Metascore
88

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

User Score
7.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 76 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • 10
  • 9
  • 8
  • 7
  • 6
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • 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. NF 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: 7 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 2 out of 9
  1. AliPMcG
    Jan 8, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I 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
  2. GamerDylan
    Mar 9, 2020
    9
    A simple yet very VERY addicting game. If you have some time to kill, try this game.
  4. Cubik
    Mar 13, 2020
    9
    Blazing straight down into a hord of enemies at top speed is a simple yet hair rising-premise. Downwell revolves around a pair of boots,Blazing straight down into a hord of enemies at top speed is a simple yet hair rising-premise. Downwell revolves around a pair of boots, gunboots. Not only do they fire away at foes, but also slow down the fall. After running out of ammo, recharging them is only possible by landing on a platform or an enemy. This creates a dynamic between a frenzy free-fall and skillful platforming. Each playthrough is a new, thrilling experience thanks to procedurally generated levels and randomized power-ups. The upgrades fundamentally reshape the player’s abilities and his interaction with the levels. The combination of speed and precision with constant ability changes make for an exhilarating experience each and every time. Stating that Downwell is only an on the go game greatly neglects the intricacies of its design.… Expand
  5. Swarley74
    Nov 21, 2019
    8
    Fun, addictif, mais il manque une chose importante : les trophés / succès.
    J'en ai passé des heures à descendre avant de le finir !
    Style    Fun, addictif, mais il manque une chose importante : les trophés / succès.
    J'en ai passé des heures à descendre avant de le finir !
    Style gameboy excellent ! Bande sont 8 bits qui reste dand la tête.
    J'aime    … 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 9 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

7
#7 Best Switch Game of 2019

Current Switch Games

Full List »
91 Animal Crossing: New Horizons
90 Florence
87 Kentucky Route Zero: TV Edition
86 Luigi's Mansion 3
86 Return of the Obra Dinn
85 Disgaea 4 Complete+
85 Two Point Hospital
85 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Complete Edition
84 To the Moon
84 Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout
84 Tangle Tower
83 Killer Queen Black
83 Alien: Isolation
82 Shovel Knight: King of Cards
80 Pokemon Shield
78 Not Tonight: Take Back Control Edition
77 Cat Quest II
74 Afterparty
55 Last Encounter
41 Narcos: Rise of the Cartels
All Current Games »