Game: Downwell Review
tl;dr: $2.99 feels stealing, just buy it on iOS or Steam (PC only).
To be honest, I was not attracted to Downwell’s screenshots when I first saw this game on App Store. It was until I watched some reviews then decided to purchase the game. Once I started playing, I just can’t simply stop.
# Best D-pad-ish touch control.
Physical controls are always better. But Downwell for iOS has the best D-pad-ish touch control. Its simple game control mechanism — left / right move, another single button for jumping and shooting — is well designed for touch. So don’t worry if you don’t have a PC, the iOS version is great too. (P.S. iPad is better than iPhone.)
# Learning curve.
Downwell is a badly hard core game. To this date there is only 1.2% of players who have beaten this game in the normal mode on iOS.
But don’t panic, it has a great learning curve. It is designed so well that you can slowly become a better player. From practicing each types of guns, to learning the benefits of each power ups. From finding out wall jump, to realizing the reward of the combo system. Each moment gets you better.
# Very detailed retro graphics done right.
Even though it uses 1.5-bit colors, it has very well crafted pixel details, animations and character design. Not to mention that it has crazy amount of color palettes you can unlock.
# SFX and musics.
The SFX of different guns and the soundtracks are pieces of art on their own. Just listen them and you will know.
# Conclusion
BRB, let me beat the final boss first.