# Downwell — user reviews

> 372 indexed App Store user reviews of Downwell by Devolver, rated 4.70/5 from 1,753 ratings.

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/downwell/id1032708262/reviews
- App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/downwell/id1032708262.md
- Rating breakdown: 5★ 1,481 · 4★ 142 · 3★ 61 · 2★ 37 · 1★ 32

## What do users think of Downwell?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 🚀 Smooth gameplay
- 🎨 Excellent retro visuals
- 🎶 Great chiptune soundtrack
- 👍 Addictive and challenging
- 💰 Good value for money

**Cons**

- 🐛 Crashes when switching apps
- 🔇 No option to mute sound effects
- 👆 Controls can be obstructed by fingers
- 🔋 Drains battery quickly

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Game freezes on iPhone 6s
- Performance issues on older iPads

**Most requested features**

- Horizontal/landscape mode
- Ability to save progress
- More level/game mode variety
- Customizable controls

## Newest reviews (19 of 372)

### 4/5 — Could use an update

*2026-06-21, version 1.0.72*

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.

### 4/5 — This Game is Great: please let me turn of sound effects

*2026-05-11, version 1.0.72*

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.

### 4/5 — Great Game, Minor Control Issues

*2026-03-27, version 1.0.72*

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. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

### 4/5 — Super fun game, please fix notch issue

*2026-01-29, version 1.0.72*

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!

### 4/5 — Great game but really needs a mute button

*2025-11-10, version 1.0.72*

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!

### 3/5 — Cool game please add d pad to mobile

*2025-07-18, version 1.0.72*

Cool game please add d pad to mobile or an easier swipe gesture my thumbs hurt

### 3/5 — Bien mais pas sur iPhone

*2025-06-19*

Très bon jeu mais presque impossible de jouer correctement sans joystick. Pas adapté à un iPhone ou un iPad sans joystick.

### 2/5 — 理不尽な意味での難しさ

*2025-05-20*

クリアしたが、ゲームとしては荒削りという印象。
難易度が高いゲームなのは分かるが、それが操作性や当たり判定、序盤から上から迫ってくる敵などによるものが残念。足場も弾で消えてしまうため、恐る恐る降りるしかなく、爽快感は皆無で不愉快さの方が大きい。
また、スマホには最適化されておらず、下を見るゲームなのに指で隠れて見えないという有様。
ただ、キャラクターや細かな演出は非常によく、ゲームデザインやコンセプトの完成度はとてつもなく高い。ゲームバランスやゲーム体験があれば、より一層良かったのではないかと思う。

### 5/5 — ハードモードやっとクリア

*2025-04-25*

おもろいからおすすめ
下は俺の自己満
時には熱中し、時には馬鹿馬鹿しくなり、付き離れを繰り返しやっとハードモードクリア

もはや相棒という何ふさわしいゲーム

### 2/5 — Love the game HATE THE BATS

*2025-04-22, version 1.0.72*

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?

### 3/5 — Let us mute the SFX

*2025-03-19, version 1.0.72*

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

### 4/5 — Simplicity is King

*2025-02-22, version 1.0.72*

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….

### 5/5 — これ面白いよいつか買ってみて

*2025-02-22*

流石に楽しすぎてお風呂でやりたくなった。

### 5/5 — What gaming is and should be

*2025-02-08, version 1.0.72*

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!

### 5/5 — Best phone game of all time

*2025-02-01, version 1.0.72*

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

### 3/5 — Do not delete

*2024-12-06, version 1.0.72*

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.

### 2/5 — 内容は、面白い

*2024-09-29*

コントローラーの使用が推奨されているためか、操作性が悪い。移動のためのアクションボタンが下側に配置されているため、指やそのボタンで敵や障害物が隠れる。下に降りていくゲームのため、都合が悪すぎる。
また、使われている色が3色だけ(白黒赤)なので踏みつけることが出来る敵と出来ない敵が分かりにくい。デザイン重視のためか、敵は基本赤色で、踏み付けられない敵は濃い赤になっている。落ちる速度や一部の敵の速度がとても速いため、それすら見極めることが難しい。

ゲームの難易度が高いというより、操作性やUI、デザインが悪い。

### 2/5 — No Mute?!

*2024-09-27, version 1.0.72*

You can toggle BGM but cannot mute sound effects? I expected more…

### 5/5 — Awesome Game!!!

*2024-09-12, version 1.0.72*

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.

## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated)

### 1/5 — crashes on startup now

*2024-09-29, version 1.0.72*

crashes on startup now

### 1/5 — Unplayable

*2024-03-24, version 1.0.72*

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

### 1/5 — Way too hard

*2022-09-17, version 1.0.72*

Way too hard

### 1/5 — 3 Onscreen Buttons

*2021-04-04, version 1.0.72*

And they’re both useless and unreliable. Maybe playable with a controller, garbage without. Probably worth getting on a real games console instead.

### 1/5 — Not worth money

*2020-08-17, version 1.0.63*

Nope

### 1/5 — I wanted to like it

*2019-10-08*

I wanted to like it. I really did. But the controls are terrible and force you to put your fingers where you need to see. You can set the buttons to be invisible but your fingers still need to sit on top of them. This is a game where you fall down. However your character is on the middle of the screen and your fingers are on the bottom. You have a tiny portion of the real estate on the screen to play the game, meaning most of the screen is wasted showing you what's above you. Which doesn't matter nearly as much as what's below. What's worse is that the tap left or right controls are much less accurate than sliding your finger left or right, which would be a much better method of control. Worst of all is that the game is advertised as having elegant controls. The irony is just too much.  On top of this, the description says things you gather on your trips stack. They absolutely do not. You reset everything every time. The only element of progression is unlocking new colors and character traits. Disappointing because the same early levels over and over get boring quickly.

### 1/5 — My favorite game on iPhone

*2019-10-07*

This game is DOPE!!! Seriously, I have to really hate a game or app to leave a review. I don’t leave reviews if I like a game, I never keep them long. I’ve had an iPhone since the iPhone 2 was released, and as weird as it feels to say this, Downwell is my favorite game I have ever played on an iPhone. I loved games in the 80s, particularly Metroid which this game was obviously inspired by, so the style of this game is exactly what I’ve missed and wanted out of a pocket sized pick up and put down game. The music is perfect, the color theme is perfect, the characters and style is perfect, it’s simple, kinda loud in a fun way, medium to fast paced, funny, just the right amount of customization options, no overglossing..the game never feels like it breaks character, just all around hasn’t received the credit it deserves at all. If I were to add anything at all to it, it would be more side scrolling and just a longer game (even though for now the farthest I’ve gotten is level 3). This game will be staying on my phone permanently, it’s underpriced, the creators are underpaid, and I’m hopelessly looking forward to merch in the future.

Also, no, I was not paid to leave this review. I hate writing reviews, I just finally found a truly good game. 

New update crashes, won’t let me play at all ☹️

### 1/5 — редкое убожество

*2019-09-20*

мало того что все отзывы заказные так еще и эти у ...ки отказываются возвращать деньги ! не ведитесь обходите стороной !

### 1/5 — NO MUTE SFX?!!!!

*2019-09-04, version 1.0.63*

How on earth does a game released in this day and age not have an audio option to turn off SFX. BGM has an option, I’ll change to 5* once this crucial option is added. I play all my games muted listening to podcasts. If you intend on doing that I recommend skipping this game until that option is added

### 1/5 — iPhone X, Xs, Xr

*2019-01-01, version 1.0.2*

No support for X series’ screen resolutions. It’s a shame, because this game otherwise shines on OLED.

## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated)

### 5/5 — 100% a Desert Island Pick

*2026-08-21, version 1.0.72*

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

### 5/5 — Good Game

*2026-07-08, version 1.0.72*

It has consumed my life. That’s a good sign!

### 5/5 — Designedwell

*2026-04-22, version 1.0.72*

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.

### 5/5 — Супер

*2026-02-07*

Игра отличная, очень залипательная. За палитру гейм боя спасибо 😁

### 5/5 — An all time classic game

*2025-11-02, version 1.0.72*

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.

### 5/5 — BEST

*2025-10-10*

This game is one the best 10 years later and keep the best today FOR FREE!

### 5/5 — 3

*2025-08-29, version 1.0.72*

Albert Einstein

### 5/5 — Best game

*2025-08-16, version 1.0.72*

I love this game the pixel style is amazing and the colors? Great. I love it.

### 5/5 — Best of the Best

*2025-07-04, version 1.0.72*

Difficult but fair, and well worth the money. Genuinely the best experience I have had on the App Store. No ads or in app purchases.  Just dropping down a well.

### 5/5 — 最高です。

*2025-04-28*

何年か前に買って、その時はクリア出来なかったのですが、数年越しでまたハマって最後までいけました。前も本当に面白いなと思っていましたが今やっても最高に面白いです。
もしこのデベロッパーの新作や別のゲームがあったらぜひプレイしたいです。

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-28.*