Downwell occupies a similar space in my Steam library as Nidhogg. Tense, kinetic, focused, ridiculous. But instead of swordplay, we’re rescuing our cat from the bottom of a miles-deep well while felling innumerable eldritch horrors by bouncing atop their heads.

Oh, and you have gun-boots.

(more…)

Downwell is an tight vertical shooter in which no single part of the game is wasted. I’ve tried many times to explain exactly how smart its design is, as has Adam, but it can be hard to appreciate the beauty of a clockwork machine by someone describing cogs and pendulums to you. This recent video from GDC 2016 might help: its Downwell designer Ojiro Fumoto explaining how he designed the game around its “one key mechanic,” the gunboots.

… [visit site to read more]

What is the best shooter of 2015? The RPS Advent Calendar highlights our favourite games from throughout the year, and behind today’s door is…

Downwell!

… [visit site to read more]

Adam returned from below yesterday with his review, but Downwell [official site] has also pulled Graham into its depths. The pair pulled on a gunboot each to discuss the down-scrolling platformer’s simplicity, its feels, and its flaws.>

… [visit site to read more]

In Downwell [official site], there’s only one way to go. Equipped with a pair of gunboots, you’re making your way right down to the bottom of a well, blasting objects, terrain and monsters that block your path. You shoot straight from the soles and there are various powerups that change the spread or strength of your pedal-projectiles. I’ve been plumbing the depths for a couple of days and here’s wot I think.>

… [visit site to read more]

I never intended for that picture to become the official header for What Are You/We All Playing This Weekend, you know. I found myself in charge of this section one week and thought I’d find a nice picture of a pond – which was where I intended to mostly spend my weekend. Finding nothing in antique illustration archives (we have our whole antiquated Britishness schtick, yeah?), I turned to what else> I’d be doing: appearing in visions, indulging my nymph side, and firing cannons at ghastly moustaches.

Anyway, what are you playing this weekend? Here’s what we’re into:

… [visit site to read more]

Bayonetta sold me wholly on gunshoes but, if Platinum’s kickwitch won’t come to PC (seems so), I’ll get my fix of kerblamky boots elsewhere. Like Downwell [official site].

The depths-plumbing platformer sees a low-fi kid with gunshoes venturing down a well to find fame and fortune, blasting monsters while collecting weapons, items, and cash. The premise caught the eye of those nice Devolver Digital folks, who’ve helped solo developer Moppin to a PC release. That’s out now, priced at only 2.

… [visit site to read more]