Downwell

Downwell is a vertically oriented action game about a boy who goes down a well looking for treasure. It consists of twelve levels, based on four themes, and the environments are randomized for each session with a final boss at the end. The game only uses three buttons: two to move left and right and one to shoot. A level is completed by reaching the bottom.

Generally firing is only possible in a downwards direction. The boy wears gunboots that have a limited amount of charges. They are recharged by touching a solid surface: a platform or an enemy. At the same time each blast provides a slight upwards push, so shooting is also used as a way to propel the boy up slightly or correct the movement pattern. The game can be played in a very slow way, drawing near enemies one by one, but the game encourages fast movement and attacks in succession. Destroyed enemies leave behind gems, the main currency in the game. By collecting many in succession "gem high" is activated, making the weapon more powerful for a short while. Also, combos by killing enemies in succession without touching a surface is a way to recover health.