Downwell is a curious game about a young boy venturing down a well in search of untold treasures with only his Gunboots to protect him. 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!
Simple, Responsive Controls - Designed for mobile from the ground up, Downwell is presented with intuitive and elegant controls that allow for action-packed gameplay using just three buttons.
The Amazing Gunboots - The fashionable and lethal Gunboots allow players to unleash a torrent of firepower on the nasty creatures dwelling in the well and slow your decent with each shot.
Unique Weapons & Items - Get different weapons, shop for peculiar items and obtain powerful upgrades that all stack and affect the way you play!
A New Adventure Every Time - Each level in Downwell is procedurally generated, so no two trips down the well are ever the same providing a fresh new adventure each time!
Music by Eirik Suhrke.
Sound Design by Joonas Turner.
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This version
4.71 (1.8K)
Promo video
N/A
Icon
0.5/0.5
Rating quality
1.0/1.0
Rating volume
0.6/1.0
Heuristic score · not affiliated with Apple or Google.
Signals: version bump ≤ 7 days + review velocity ≥ 1.5× the 7-day median. Both ⇒ Active event; version only ⇒ Recent update; spike only ⇒ High engagement.
Update History
v1.0.72
Apple
released 12/22/2020
Release notesHide notes
- Fix for a bug that crashes the game before the very end
Versions observed by AppWolf's hourly store pollers · newest first · up to 50 shown. History begins when an app enters our catalog - earlier versions aren't retroactively visible.
Reviews
Sentiment
Filter·
50 of 50 loaded reviews
Apple
11d ago
100% a Desert Island Pick
I’ve been playing this game on and off for about a decade and it just keeps you coming back. If I had to take 5 games to a desert island this would absolutely make the list
- BryceH77 · v1.0.72
Apple
1mo ago
Good Game
It has consumed my life. That’s a good sign!
- Rlly100 · v1.0.72
Apple
2mo ago
Could use an update
The game is very addictive and interesting to play. It’s a solid arcade game that I’d recommend anyone to play.
Although, I can’t give it 5 stars because it could use some updates. Such as improving the hit boxes that way it feels less inconsistent when colliding with enemies while shooting or stomping on them.
Along with more styles to choose from or making certain guns more common if you favor one option heavily. Also, some other options within the shop would be nice.
- wes pez · v1.0.72
Apple
3mo ago
This Game is Great: please let me turn of sound effects
Game is a banger, no notes, I just want to second screen this game and cannot because the sound effects are so loud and annoying.
- islandponder · v1.0.72
Apple
4mo ago
Designedwell
Downwell is a masterclass of game design, and the best game you’ll find on iPhone.
Some of the best games are ones where the initial complexity is low, but the depth is enormous. This is called “elegance”. Downwell takes one primary action — shooting with your gun boots — and builds the entire experience around it. Everything from maintaining momentum, hitting enemies, getting combos, and staying in the air is tied to this one action.
The pixel art and animation are endearing, and the soundtrack is phenomenal. You’re able to unlock new color palettes by collecting gems, and that one factor alone makes Downwell endlessly replayable.
I only have one small criticism, that there isn’t a separate toggle for music and sound effects. Sometimes I want to play with my own music with sound effects turned on, and Downwell lets you do that! But other times I want to play Downwell while listening to a podcast but I can’t hear the podcast over the sound effects, and there’s no option to fix this.
- Seth E. Brown · v1.0.72
Apple
5mo ago
Great Game, Minor Control Issues
Downwell, setting aside previous reviews, is a really good game. It runs perfectly on mobile, is comfortable, and easy to understand, which makes it very accessible for any player.
It would be interesting if, once you unlock a level, there were an option to start from that point or restart from zero. Still, I understand that this is part of the creator’s vision.
My only complaint is the controls: they feel somewhat small and too close together, which can be uncomfortable at times. Including an option to adjust their size or reposition them would greatly improve the experience.
That’s why I’m giving it 4 stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- kivar1960 · v1.0.72
Apple
7mo ago
Super fun game, please fix notch issue
I tried this game on my free month of Apple Arcade, I realized I mostly only played this one so I got the paid version. I realized that on this version the notch form my iPhone 14 Pro is covering part of the hp bar and gem box. I went back to the + version on Apple Arcade and saw it wasn’t an issue there and the game fit normally. It’s a per peeve but a small update wouldn’t hurt to fix this. Otherwise super addictive and fun gameplay loop!
- RowletBoi · v1.0.72
Apple
9mo ago
Great game but really needs a mute button
Love playing this game as a little time killer. My only issue is that it's completely unplayable if I want to listen to music at the same time. You can mute the background music but the sounds aren't able to be muted. Please add that as an option!
- Coolio McGee · v1.0.72
Apple
10mo ago
An all time classic game
The fact that this game was made for mobile is astounding. This is definitely one of the best indie games and best arcade style games ever made. The game design is just topnotch and the graphics and sound design are phenomenal. It’s a tough game, especially in the beginning. But once you get the hang of it and are able to beat it, it becomes so satisfying to play. I have this on mobile and switch and fine the mobile version to be the one I go to way more often.
Now, my only hope is that they continue to support this game over time. I play on iPhone 17 pro and do experience framerate issues that I wish would be ironed out.
Additionally I would love if they added the achievements that are available on console versions of this game.
But these things aside, amazing game that is just perfect for IPhone.
- MBGMD · v1.0.72
Apple
1y ago
3
Albert Einstein
- eggz-7 · v1.0.72
Apple
1y ago
Best game
I love this game the pixel style is amazing and the colors? Great. I love it.
- Kmango54 · v1.0.72
Apple
1y ago
Cool game please add d pad to mobile
Cool game please add d pad to mobile or an easier swipe gesture my thumbs hurt
- Youronlyfann · v1.0.72
Apple
1y ago
Love the game HATE THE BATS
Not sure if it’s intentional, but the bats in this game are the most infuriating enemy in the entirety of it. They either stick to the walls until you pass them or they seem to randomly fly upwards from below visibility which is very frustrating as their hitbox is misleading and their heads deal damage even when above them slightly. The issue I see is that the bats “activate” once falling passed them. So why do they occasionally bug out and fly from off screen up towards the character? If it’s broken please fix it. If it’s not, please possible change it?
- RiftAnthraxx · v1.0.72
Apple
1y ago
Let us mute the SFX
The game is really fun. It’s hard but very simple and that’s what you’re looking for with a mobile game. The one criticism I have is that there isn’t an option to mute the sound effects so if I want to listen to something while I play I have to listen past the very loud gun boots. Let us mute the sound effects
- stnick6 · v1.0.72
Apple
1y ago
Simplicity is King
For a rouge-like that is quite hardcore, I love the straightforward game mechanics and design focusing on getting the skill for the game without any over complicated stuff for the looks. That said, i think sometimes there is frustration with the visibility of the character and the difficulty of maneuver that has not gone away after hours of play. The playstyles imo doesn’t affect the gameplay too much unless you are a veteran player and I really wish there is some way i can customize my experience more, or to make it easier if i want to….
- richahaha · v1.0.72
Apple
1y ago
What gaming is and should be
Elegant, simple, beautiful design. Great music! No pay to win. Engaging mechanics. No annoying adds. This is in it’s core, what all gaming should aspire to be. Excellent game!
- dwinosam · v1.0.72
Apple
1y ago
Best phone game of all time
I think I’ve been playing this since the year it came out, if I had to pick one game to have on my phone for the rest of my life it would be Downwell. Worth every penny 3 bucks is an absolute steal
- Cooper_J · v1.0.72
Apple
1y ago
Do not delete
It’s a time waster game it’s fun. I have two complaints one it’s very repetitive doing the same thing over and over. And if you delete the game and then later re-download it your game save is gone.
- steelbelter76 · v1.0.72
Apple
1y ago
Awesome Game!!!
Super fun, hard and time consuming. Requires skill and focus. As you go further it gets harder. Boss is difficult. Best $3 spent of my life, totally worth it.
- Leo 10294857 · v1.0.72
Apple
2y ago
The game that started it all.
A classic for me; the game that made me fall in love with Devolver Digital and their catalogue.
- Jerod11 · v1.0.72
Apple
2y ago
Awesome
How about a part 2
Where there are modes where you get deeper and deeper
- Iblown · v1.0.72
Apple
2y ago
Unplayable
Without a vertical mode, what’s the point?
Devs let me hold my switch sideways but won’t give me a vertical arcade style mode on my iPhone or iPad?
Refund plz, ill go back to my switch. Bieeee
- RADJeeper · v1.0.72
Apple
2y ago
Please add cloud save
Great game!!! Just wondering, Is the bench next to the well a reference to hollow knight?
- UrLocalMenaceToSociety · v1.0.72
Apple
2y ago
Cool
Favorite mobile game oat, my only issue is that you can’t turn off sound effects which makes listening to anything while playing the game kinda weird
- Big scary monsters aaaaa · v1.0.72
Apple
2y ago
epic game!
I really do love this game, but one thing had been bothering me since I've got a new phone:
The hud clips into the bevels a bit.
I know it really isn't a big deal, but my brain just instantly becomes distracted upon noticing it. (Even lost a few runs to it.)
I'm on the 13 Mini , but Im not sure it this happens for any other models.
Thanks!
- a lil' man · v1.0.72
Apple
2y ago
MORE LEVELS! IM ADDICTED
I play this game on a daily basis, I beat the game almost every time i play on hard mode. i’m obsessed and addicted, but PLEASE ADD MORE LEVELS! i miss the challenge.
- billy pilgrimm · v1.0.72
Apple
2y ago
Turn off the button layouts to use it anywhere
5 stars. Using on iphone 15 pro max.
- Tired.Fingers · v1.0.72
Apple
2y ago
Amazing Game, but…
This is such an amazing game but this game really needs multiplayer mode. It would add more risk to it. Who can survive the most levels, who can finish a certain amount of levels quicker, and co-op. I am sure there are other things you could do. Again, an amazing game, just needs multiplayer.
- Ben Zade Johnson · v1.0.72
Apple
2y ago
nerf the bats, man
love this game. only complaint is that the bats are so annoying I could pop a blood vessel
- pomegranate93 · v1.0.72
Apple
2y ago
This game has good graphics
This game have so good graphics in my opinion
- yadiet gil · v1.0.72
Apple
2y ago
add keyboard support
that is all
- nibbanator69 · v1.0.72
Apple
3y ago
Amazing game
I couldn’t get into it at first, but after getting the hang of the mechanics it has become one of my favorite arcade style games of all time. The epitome of easy to learn, hard to master.
The mechanics are very simple. It cleverly rewards risk taking without forcing you to take risks. This allows you to naturally adapt the difficulty of the game based on your current skill level.
In the beginning you can land on the ground a lot to reset your gun. However, the key to mastering the game is learning to create long combos which you can do by not touching the ground between killing enemies. If you only land on enemies or in safe zones, you can keep the chain going. But why would you want to do this and make the game harder for yourself?
Every time you get a combo of 25 enemy kills, you can land to end the combo and gain 1 health. If you are full health when you get health (from a 25 enemy combo or from the shop), the bar beneath your health will start to fill up. When all 4 white rectangles under your health are full, you increase your max health by 1.
The key is to focus on increasing your max health as much as possible before you reach the final boss. You’ll need all the health you can get!
- Szei · v1.0.72
Apple
3y ago
downwell is my favorite mobile game since 2015
its a game with just the right amount of depth + difficulty while having a simple premise and being easy to jump into. never gets boring and the art style is perfect.
- RaisedNathimal2.0 · v1.0.72
Apple
3y ago
BEST GAME ON THE APP STORE
Highly replayable, nice to look at (you can change the color palette) and easy to get into, I find it hard to find much wrong with this game. I’ve put more time into this game than I care to admit and I’ve only just beat it for the first time (great ending btw). Looking forward to hard mode.
The only thing I can think of that I would change, or rather add, is a few more mods to take at the end of each mission. I found myself making the same build each drop.
Other than that. I highly recommend this game to anyone considering. At only ¢99, I’ve gotten so much entertainment for the price.
- DaChrisMista · v1.0.72
Apple
3y ago
A great game with a massive issue
Everything in the game is fantastic, but I love to listen to YouTube videos in picture n picture while I play some games, and Downwell only lets you mute the music and not the annoying loud sound effects. I wish they would add an option to mute the in game sound effects as well as the music instead of just the music
- calbin benvon · v1.0.72
Apple
3y ago
A Work of Art
Years later, I’m still not tired of Downwell. The play control, sounds, and graphics are undeniably solid. The upgrades, shop system, and difficulty of the game are perfect.
The game plays well on iPhone, PC, and Macbook (using boot camp), and its small footprint makes it even more attractive to have installed at all times. The touch screen controls are fine, but the game is even better with a paired controller.
- yyzm3 · v1.0.72
Apple
3y ago
This is the best arcade game available on iPhone, and arguably one of the best ever.
Nuff said
- lucabrazzi1 · v1.0.72
Apple
3y ago
Best mobile game IMO, sadly it’s performance isn’t the best
This game is my most played game in mobile. I’ve been playing it for years occasionally and no too occasionally too. The star rating is because it’s giving me performance issues on iOS in two separate devices compared to android. Responsiveness and frame rates. Also, the notch area is getting cut in the iPhone 13, I’d guess the newer 14s are having the same issue. Hopefully this gets addressed.
- MisterColo · v1.0.72
Apple
3y ago
Game is amazing! One minor problem however
I love this game, gameplay feels smooth and satisfying, and difficulty feels hard, but accomplishable. One minuscule problem is a lot of the time when I play rogue-likes/rogue-lites like this, I like to listen to a podcast in the background as I go through run after run, and turning off the excellent music is possible, but there’s no way to turn off the sound effects. I realize it would be a whole thing to go and change that now, but really my only issue with this otherwise impeccable game!
- GoomyGamer · v1.0.72
Apple
3y ago
Let me turn off sound
^^^
- EricDubU · v1.0.72
Apple
3y ago
Way too hard
Way too hard
- Squozzie · v1.0.72
Apple
4y ago
Hard but fun game
This game is very fun but also very difficult at the time of writing this review I have gotten only to 2-3 but I must say this game is not frustrating with it’s difficulty, good game worth the money
- Maxsilvr · v1.0.72
Apple
4y ago
Best game in the freaking world 🌍
This game is so good that I have nothing to say
- JRTgame · v1.0.72
Apple
4y ago
Really good game
I really enjoy this game it’s really nice if you want a casual game really fun minor button glitches overall really good 5 stars
- sparky the random jolteon · v1.0.72
Apple
4y ago
Excellent Game
The best iOS game in existence, period. I’ve been playing this game regularly for about a year now and I love it more and more each time I play (still haven’t quite beaten it yet tho lol). Intuitive yet challenging, simple yet engaging. The fast pace and permadeath also work so well for a mobile game. I love this game so much.
I also love just paying a flat fee and then never seeing a single ad. Such a rare and beautiful thing. Plus, I’ve played more hours and had more fun with Downwell than I have with some full-price console games, so safe to say it’s well worth the price.
- vivikraus · v1.0.72
Apple
4y ago
Very fun needs more levels possibly but mostly audio
Super fun game just let me turn off the audio for the game fully it’s very loud and I can’t listen to music and play you can turn off music but not sound affects.
- dissapointed ears · v1.0.72
Apple
4y ago
Add horizontal layout please
Great game. Pick it up.
- S_c_o_t_t_y · v1.0.72
Apple
4y ago
Great game.
- In all honesty, this game is very fun and hardly gets boring. + When it does I feel like it could have used maybe other modes such as side scroller type levels or something like that. (It’s just my opinion but this game is still great.) =One issue though is that the music does stop working even if the music in options is on. That’s the only problem with this game.
- The Minecrafter 13424 · v1.0.72
Apple
4y ago
Amazing!
I love rouge-likes, and Downwell is AMAZING. Love the gameplay visuals and music! Fell in love so quickly! Well done! Chefs kiss on Devolver!!!
- get OOF'D · v1.0.72
Apple
4y ago
Please add widescreen
Please add a horizontal view like on switch so I can play this with my Razer Kishi
- Jmzrrr · v1.0.72
Player Voice for this app
Complaint themes, feature requests, churn signals, and CSV export - on the Pro and Agency plans.
