Downwell (video game)

Downwell is a 2015 roguelike vertically scrolling shooter video game. It was created by Moppin and published by Devolver Digital. This was the first game made entirely by Ojiro Fumoto. The game launched for iOS and Microsoft Windows in October 2015, followed by Android in January 2016, and PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita in May 2016. A Nintendo Switch version arrived in January 2019, with the Switch and PlayStation ports handled by British studio Red Phantom Games.

The game uses a palette of four colors. By default, the background is black, outlines are white, red highlights gems, enemies, and other key items, and blue marks water features. Players can unlock and switch between different color palettes in-game. Critics have compared the art style and underground level design to *Spelunky* and *Cave Story*.

**Gameplay**

Players control a "curious man" named Welltaro. One night at a local park, he decides to descend into a nearby well, knowing monsters await. He straps on his gunboots and drops downward, killing enemies and collecting treasure. There are three basic controls: move left, move right, and jump while on solid ground. While in the air, holding the jump button fires the gunboots.

The well is procedurally generated. Players face many enemy types, most of which can be shot or stomped. Some enemies resist stomping and can only be killed with bullets. These tougher enemies are fully highlighted in red, with a more filled sprite body, unlike normal enemies that only have a red glare. The gunboots reload automatically whenever Welltaro hits any surface, solid or not. During the descent, players find "timevoids" that freeze everything outside them, including the music. These timevoids may lead to caves offering many gems or an alternate weapon. Alternate weapons change the gunboots' speed, delay, ammo usage, ammo count, and firing pattern, and also grant either health or a max ammo upgrade. Other timevoids lead to a shop run by a Jizō, who offers three items in exchange for gems.

The well is divided into stages, each with three levels and its own set of environments and enemies. At the end of each level, players choose one of three Welltaro upgrades that last for the entire play session, supplementing ammo upgrades and shop purchases. As players unlock color palettes, they also unlock different movement styles.