Dead Cells+ vs Downwell+
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Dead Cells+
Embark on a challenging 2D action platformer adventure as a failed alchemic experiment. Explore a dynamic, interconnected world, master combat, and unlock new paths with each playthrough. This version includes extensive DLC content with new storylines, biomes, enemies, weapons, and bosses.
- Roguevania exploration
- Frantic 2D combat
- Nonlinear progression
- Daily leaderboards
- Return to Castlevania DLC
- The Bad Seed DLC
- Fatal Falls DLC
Read full descriptionHide full description
Play as a failed alchemic experiment and explore the sprawling, ever-changing castle to find out what happened on this gloomy island…! That is, assuming you’re able to fight your way past its keepers. Dead Cells+ is a roguevania action platformer that will require you to master frantic 2D combat with a wide variety of weapons and skills against merciless minions and boss. The indie hit Dead Cells+ is now slaying foes on Apple Arcade! Main Features • ONLY ON APPLE ARCADE - New daily leaderboards : Test your skills against players all over the world! • Roguevania: The progressive exploration of an interconnected world, with the replayability of a rogue-lite and the adrenaline pumping threat of permadeath • Frantic and Dynamic 2D Action: Learn your enemies’ patterns to stay alive, or prepare to be sent back to your cell before you can say “baguette” • Nonlinear Progression: Unlock new levels with every death, opt for the path that suits your current build, your playstyle or just your mood. Surely, the ramparts can’t be as bad the sewers, right? • Play at your own pace: Will you explore every nook and cranny of the castle, or rush to the end? [THIS VERSION ALSO INCLUDES ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CONTENT] *Latest updates are available: Clean Cut & The End is Near* RETURN TO CASTLEVANIA DLC • New storyline - overcome the Ruler of Darkness alongside Alucard and Richter Belmont, • 2 new biomes - Explore Dracula's Castle and its outskirts • 9 new monsters - Werewolves, haunted armors, and medusas are waiting for you • 14 new weapons - wield the Vampire Killer or the Holy Water to defeat creatures of the night, • 3 new bosses - go fangs to fangs against Death and Dracula himself • 20 new outfits - dress as your favorite Castlevania characters such as Simon and Richter Belmont or Alucard • Alternative soundtracks - play along 51 Castlevania original tracks and 12 tunes reimagined in the style of Dead Cells THE BAD SEED DLC You reap what you sow • New levels to lose your head in: the not-so-peaceful Dilapidated Arboretum and the noxious Morass of the Banished • New monsters to rip to pieces: get to know the locals, such as the Jerkshroom and the Yeeter • New weapons to play with: trim sticking out heads with the Scythe Claw, or make them dance to the sound of the Rhythm n' Bouzouki • New boss to fight against: Mama Tick is dying to meet you FATAL FALLS DLC Ready for a leap of faith? • 3 new biomes - Get some fresh air at the Fractured Shrines, splash around at the Undying Shores and take a picture at the Mausoleum • 8 new monsters - The Cold Blooded Guardians and their friends would love to teach you about their culture. ... Wait, aren't those relatives of yours in the Undying Shores...? • 7 new weapons - lil' Serenade is perfect for breaking the ice with the locals, although the Snake Fangs would make for a perfect souvenir... • 1 new boss - The Scarecrow is very proud of his gardening skills and won't hesitate to show off QUEEN AND THE SEA DLC Take it to the sea! • 2 new biomes - Battle your way through a rotten shipwreck, or scale a burning lighthouse and confront your deadliest foe yet. • 9 new weapons, including a throwable shark, a trident and a pirate hook hand (eyepatch not included). • 2 new bosses - Don't lose your head before you meet the Queen! This DLC also gives you the usual extras: - A not-so-cute pet. - Loads of new outfits. - New enemies to bash. Carefully redesigned for Apple Arcade with a revamped interface • Two game modes available: Original & Auto-Hit • Custom controls & More touch controls options available: Change the buttons’ position and size to your liking, swipe to dodge… • MFi external controller support • Game Center achievements If you run into a problem, please contact us at support@playdigious.mail.helpshift.com u with as much information as possible on the issue.
Downwell+
Venture into a procedurally generated well, battling creatures with special gun boots. Collect gems, purchase upgrades, and discover hidden treasures. Each descent offers a unique and challenging adventure.
- Gun boots for combat and descent control
- Procedurally generated levels
- Collect gems and buy items
- Level up and obtain upgrades
- Discover hidden caves and relics
Read full descriptionHide full description
Downwell is a curious game about a young person venturing down a well in search of untold treasures with only his Gunboots for protection. 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! 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.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is monetization model: Dead Cells+ at free against Downwell+'s paid. Dead Cells+ also leads on rating (4.9 vs 4.5) and ratings volume (14K vs 293). Downwell+'s advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 3 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Dead Cells+ holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Dead Cells+ has 14K ratings behind it against 293, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 90% of Dead Cells+'s written reviews are positive against 75% of Downwell+'s.
Dead Cells+ ships an update every 3 months, Downwell+ every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Dead Cells+ | Downwell+ |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.9 (14K ratings) — better | 4.5 (293 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 89.9% of reviews — better | 75.4% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 14K — better | 293 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV — better | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 13.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 1.8 GB | 55 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 9+ |
| Developer | Playdigious | Devolver |
Customer experience
Dead Cells+
Downwell+
User reviews
Dead Cells+
From 14K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Smooth gameplay
- 👍 Excellent controls
- 🎨 Beautiful pixel art
- 🔍 Engaging exploration
- 💡 Helpful accessibility options
Room to improve
- 🐛 Occasional audio issues
- 🔋 Performance drops on some devices
- 🤔 Lack of cloud save sync across devices
- 🕹️ Touchscreen controls can be finicky
Downwell+
From 293 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Surprisingly good game
- 👍 Fun and addictive gameplay
- 💎 Satisfying audio design
- 🎨 Customizable palettes
Room to improve
- 🐛 Crashes and performance issues
- 🎮 Suboptimal controls and button layout
- 🔇 Lack of sound/volume control
- 💢 Overly difficult and punishing
Bugs and requests
Dead Cells+
Reported bugs
3 issues- Game crashes or freezes during boss battles
- Map not updating properly after teleporting
- Controller buttons not working as expected
Requested features
4 requests- Ability to listen to own music/podcasts while playing
- More customization options for button layout
- Multiplayer or co-op mode
- Improved save/progress sync across devices
Downwell+
Reported bugs
3 issues- Buttons not working on launch
- Game freezing at the end of levels
- Abilities not functioning as expected
Requested features
4 requests- Controller support
- Landscape mode
- More upgrades and progression
- Gradual difficulty increase
In-app purchases
Dead Cells+
No in-app purchases
Downwell+
No in-app purchases






