Downwell (video game)

Downwell
Developer(s)Ojiro Fumoto
Red Phantom Games (PS4, Switch)
Publisher(s)Devolver Digital
Designer(s)Ojiro Fumoto
Programmer(s)Ojiro Fumoto
Artist(s)Ojiro Fumoto
Composer(s)Eirik Suhrke
EngineGameMaker: Studio
Platform(s)
ReleaseiOS
  • WW: 14 October 2015
Windows
  • WW: 15 October 2015
Android
  • WW: 27 January 2016
PS4, Vita
  • WW: 24 May 2016
Switch
  • WW: 31 January 2019
Genre(s)Scrolling shooter, platform
Mode(s)Single-player

Downwell is a 2015 vertically scrolling shooter video game with roguelike elements. It was developed by Ojiro Fumoto and published by Devolver Digital for iOS and Microsoft Windows in October 2015, for Android in January 2016, and for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita in May 2016. A Nintendo Switch version was released in January 2019. British studio Red Phantom Games developed the Switch and PlayStation ports.[1]

Downwell uses a palette of four colors, which default to black background and white outlines, with red as a highlight for gems, enemies and other important items, and blue for water environment features.[2][3] The exact colors can be changed through unlockable in-game palettes.[4] The art style and underground level design have been compared to Spelunky and Cave Story.[5]

  1. ^ Lanier, Liz (14 September 2018). "'Downwell' is Getting a Switch Port". Variety. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
  2. ^ "Downwell for Nintendo Switch". Nintendo EShop. Nintendo. 31 January 2019. Archived from the original on 3 April 2019. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  3. ^ Coffin, Steve (13 March 2019). "Downwell's Palette Progression". Scoffin Games. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  4. ^ Smith, Adam; Smith, Graham (20 October 2015). "RPS Verdict: Downwell". Rock Paper Shotgun. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
  5. ^ Robinson, Nick; McElroy, Griffin (31 March 2015). "Cave Story meets Spelunky in vertical roguelike shooter Downwell". Polygon. Vox Media. Retrieved 22 October 2015.