The well doesn’t end, and neither does the fall. Somewhere below the surface lies untold treasure, but reaching it means dropping deeper and deeper into darkness filled with nasty creatures, each drop bringing you closer to riches or closer to the end of your run.
Downwell is a fast paced action roguelike from developer Moppin and publisher Devolver Digital. Playing as a young adventurer equipped with nothing but a pair of Gunboots, you’ll descend through procedurally generated levels, shooting and stomping your way past well dwelling monsters, collecting gems, and gathering unique weapons and items that stack together to change how you play. No two trips down the well ever unfold the same way.
What Makes It Different?
- Descend through procedurally generated levels that are different every run
- Use your Gunboots to shoot enemies and slow your fall at the same time
- Collect unique weapons and peculiar items that stack and reshape your build
- Gather red gems scattered through the well to spend in precariously placed shops
- Level up between stages to grow stronger as you push deeper
- Uncover hidden caves packed with riches and relics
- Face down 4 distinct areas across 12 stages on your way to the bottom
Falling Is Fighting
Everything in Downwell revolves around your Gunboots. Firing them mid air lets you rain shots down on the creatures below while also slowing your descent, turning every fall into a constant balancing act between offense and control. Landing shots keeps enemies at bay, but running dry at the wrong moment can leave you plummeting straight into danger with nothing to protect you. Mastering that rhythm of shooting, stomping, and falling is what separates a short attempt from a run that makes it deep into the well.
Shops tucked away in the darkness give you a reason to hold onto the gems you collect along the way. Spending them on helpful items, or choosing to level up between stages instead, gradually shapes your build for the rest of the run, and the choices you make in one shop can completely change how you approach the next stretch of the descent.
A New Well Every Time
Every level in Downwell is procedurally generated, so the layout, enemies, and hidden caves you encounter are never quite the same twice. Unique weapons and items stack with one another as you find them, meaning a run built around one combination of upgrades can feel completely different from the next. Hidden caves scattered throughout the well hold extra riches and relics for players willing to explore off the main path, rewarding curiosity as much as speed.
How Long Does a Run Take?
A typical, successful full run in Downwell takes about 15 to 25 minutes. However, because the game is notoriously punishing and features permanent death, most attempts will only last 1 to 5 minutes. A full clear requires descending all 12 stages across four distinct areas and defeating the final boss. Players looking to fully master the game, unlocking all styles, palettes, and achievements, generally average around 15 hours of total playtime.
Controller Support
Downwell features Partial Controller Support for Xbox Controllers. Support for other devices is not known.
Good If You Like…
If you enjoyed Spelunky, Rogue Legacy, Nuclear Throne, and Super House of Dead Ninjas, Downwell offers another tightly designed action roguelike where a simple core mechanic, procedurally generated levels, and unforgiving permadeath make every trip down feel like a fresh challenge.
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