Games Like Downwell

Spelunky is a unique platformer with randomized levels that offer a challenging new experience each time you play. Journey deep underground and explore fantastic places filled with all manner of monsters, traps, and treasure.

Why similar: Action Roguelike 28.9%, Platformer 25.6%, Difficult 17.6%, Roguelike 7.5%, Arcade 5.4%

Why You'll Like It: It is the definitive roguelike platformer that shares Downwell's emphasis on procedural exploration and high-stakes, dangerous environments.

Enter the Gungeon is a bullet hell dungeon crawler following a band of misfits seeking to shoot, loot, dodge roll and table-flip their way to personal absolution by reaching the legendary Gungeon’s ultimate treasure: the gun that can kill the past.

Why similar: Action Roguelike 38%, Difficult 22.4%, Pixel Graphics 17.5%, Roguelike 9.6%, Indie 3.5%

Why You'll Like It: It offers the same intense bullet-hell action and satisfying weapon-based combat loop found in Downwell.

ScourgeBringer is a fast-paced free-moving roguelite platformer. Help Kyhra to explore the unknown and slash her way through ancient machines guarding the seal of her past, and maybe the redemption of humanity.

Why similar: Action Roguelike 21.1%, Pixel Graphics 14.1%, Platformer 10.6%, Difficult 9.5%, Action 9.1%

Why You'll Like It: This game mirrors Downwell's fast-paced, aerial-focused combat and demanding precision in a roguelite structure.

Nuclear Throne is a post-apocalyptic roguelike-like top-down shooter. Not 'the final hope of humanity' post-apocalyptic, but 'humanity is extinct and mutants and monsters now roam the world' post-apocalyptic. Can you reach the Nuclear Throne?

Why similar: Action Roguelike 37.9%, Difficult 21.2%, Pixel Graphics 13.1%, Roguelike 9.1%, Indie 4.4%

Why You'll Like It: This game captures the frantic, high-speed arcade action and punishing difficulty that makes Downwell so addictive.

Hell is Other Demons is an action-platform shooter, with Roguelite elements. Explore a sprawling, hand-crafted world full of demons, insanely over-the-top boss fights, and a heavy synthwave soundtrack.

Why similar: Action Roguelike 16.3%, Fast-Paced 16.1%, Difficult 12.8%, Platformer 9.4%, Arcade 7.9%

Why You'll Like It: It combines arcade-style bullet-hell mechanics with a striking, minimalist pixel-art aesthetic very similar to Downwell.

VVVVVV is a platform game all about exploring one simple mechanical idea - what if you reversed gravity instead of jumping?

Why similar: Precision Platformer 37.1%, Platformer 13.4%, Pixel Graphics 11.8%, Difficult 11.4%, 2D Platformer 11.3%

Why You'll Like It: Its unique gravity-flipping mechanic provides a similar sense of vertical movement and precision-based puzzle platforming.

The End Is Nigh is a sprawling adventure platformer where you die a lot, but thats ok because you are probably already dead anyway.

Why similar: Precision Platformer 47.9%, Difficult 16.7%, Platformer 16.7%, Great Soundtrack 4.3%, Indie 3.6%

Why You'll Like It: This precision platformer demands extreme accuracy and patience, appealing to players who enjoy the difficulty of Downwell.

Dead Cells is a roguelite, metroidvania inspired, action-platformer. You'll explore a sprawling, ever-changing castle... assuming you’re able to fight your way past its keepers in 2D souls-lite combat. No checkpoints. Kill, die, learn, repeat.

Why similar: Action Roguelike 26.6%, Platformer 17.3%, Pixel Graphics 13.3%, Difficult 10.9%, Roguelike 6.8%

Why You'll Like It: It provides a fluid, fast-paced combat experience within a roguelite framework that rewards mastery of movement.

Spelunky 2 builds upon the unique, randomized challenges that made the original a roguelike classic, offering a huge adventure designed to satisfy players old and new. Meet the next generation of explorers as they find themselves on the Moon, searching for treasure and missing family.

Why similar: Difficult 21.8%, Platformer 21.5%, 2D Platformer 19.5%, Action Roguelike 16.7%, Procedural Generation 5.3%

Why You'll Like It: It expands on the original's formula with even more complex interactions and challenging procedural generation.

Exit the Gungeon is a small, spin-off 'dungeon climber' immediately following the adventures of the misfit Gungeoneers.

Why similar: Arcade 35.7%, Pixel Graphics 11.9%, Action 10.3%, Difficult 10%, Indie 9.5%

Why You'll Like It: This spin-off focuses specifically on vertical, platform-heavy combat, making it a very close mechanical match to Downwell.

Help Madeline survive her inner demons on her journey to the top of Celeste Mountain, in this super-tight platformer from the creators of TowerFall. Brave hundreds of hand-crafted challenges, uncover devious secrets, and piece together the mystery of the mountain.

Why similar: Precision Platformer 37.3%, Difficult 15.9%, Platformer 11.9%, 2D Platformer 10.6%, Pixel Graphics 9.6%

Why You'll Like It: It is the gold standard for precision platforming, offering the same tight, responsive controls and high difficulty as Downwell.

Katana ZERO is a stylish neo-noir, action-platformer featuring breakneck action and instant-death combat. Slash, dash, and manipulate time to unravel your past in a beautifully brutal acrobatic display.

Why similar: Pixel Graphics 16.8%, Fast-Paced 16.7%, Platformer 16.3%, 2D Platformer 14%, Difficult 12.5%

Why You'll Like It: The game features one-hit-kill mechanics and intense, precision-based combat that requires the same focus as Downwell.

Bleed 2 is a relentless arcade action game featuring air-dodging, bullet-reflecting, and tons of bosses. Now with randomly-generated levels and daily challenges, too!

Why similar: Platformer 17.5%, Shoot 'Em Up 15.2%, Arcade 14.4%, Action Roguelike 13.3%, Action 10.6%

Why You'll Like It: This arcade-style shooter focuses on boss battles and high-speed movement, mirroring the intensity of Downwell's combat.

Rogue Legacy is a genealogical rogue-"LITE" where anyone can be a hero. Each time you die, your child will succeed you. Every child is unique. One child might be colorblind, another might be a dwarf with vertigo. But that's OK, because no one is perfect, and you don't have to be to succeed.

Why similar: Platformer 36.6%, Action Roguelike 25.2%, Roguelike 11.1%, Indie 5%, Difficult 4.8%

Why You'll Like It: It blends platforming with roguelike progression, offering a satisfying loop of death and improvement similar to Downwell.

Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove is the complete Shovel Knight collection, containing all 5 games in the epic saga! Dig, blast, slash, and bash your way through a fantastical, 8-bit inspired world of pixel-perfect platforming, memorable characters, and world-class action-adventure gameplay.

Why similar: Platformer 30.5%, Pixel Graphics 17.9%, Difficult 11.8%, Retro 11.5%, Great Soundtrack 9.1%

Why You'll Like It: It features tight, retro-inspired platforming and combat that feels as polished and responsive as Downwell.

Carefully designed, beautifully remastered, and loaded with new ways to play—Risk of Rain is back and better than ever! Dive into the iconic roguelike full of unique loot combinations, enhanced with new Survivors, overhauled multiplayer, fan favorite content from Risk of Rain 2, and more!

Why similar: Action Roguelike 47.8%, Arcade 17.1%, Pixel Graphics 11.9%, Roguelike 8%, 2D 7.5%

Why You'll Like It: This game offers a fast-paced, arcade-style roguelike experience with a heavy emphasis on combat and movement.

Live the life of space captain Flinthook! Armed with your mighty hookshot, your uncanny slow-motion powers and your trusty blasma pistol, plunder and fight your way through an infinite variety of randomly-assembled spaceships for treasure, loot and fame!

Why similar: Action Roguelike 33.7%, Platformer 13.8%, Pixel Graphics 11.2%, Difficult 9.3%, Action 5.4%

Why You'll Like It: The grappling hook mechanic provides a unique sense of momentum and movement that complements its roguelite action.

GoNNER is a tough as hell procedurally-generated 2D platformer with roguelike elements, following the largely misunderstood and altruistic Ikk on a journey to cheer up his only friend in this world - a giant landbound whale named Sally - by searching for just the right trinket in the deep and dark places nearby.

Why similar: Action Roguelike 35.4%, Platformer 23.8%, Difficult 13.6%, Roguelite 7.2%, Indie 6.3%

Why You'll Like It: Its chaotic, fast-paced platforming and roguelite elements create a similar sense of arcade urgency.

Explore and uncover the mystery of a surreal alien world by blasting aliens and glitching your environment in this intense retro side-scrolling action/adventure.

Why similar: Platformer 28.1%, Pixel Graphics 21.8%, Great Soundtrack 9.9%, Retro 9.1%, Difficult 7.6%

Why You'll Like It: This metroidvania offers deep exploration and pixel-art combat that will appeal to fans of Downwell's aesthetic and feel.

Pounce inside of your cozy armored mech and set off on a dangerous trek through an alien underworld full of irritable creatures and treacherous obstacles in a valiant effort to save your stranded captain and his crashed spaceship.

Why similar: Pixel Graphics 24.1%, Platformer 23.6%, Retro 11%, Indie 10%, Difficult 9.5%

Why You'll Like It: It features a minimalist, monochromatic aesthetic and tight action-platforming mechanics that echo Downwell's style.

Star of Providence is a top down action shooter with procedurally generated elements. Explore a large, abandoned facility in search of incredible power, fighting dangerous foes and gaining new weapons and upgrades as you progress.

Why similar: Action Roguelike 26.1%, Difficult 17.2%, Pixel Graphics 11.9%, Shoot 'Em Up 11.9%, Retro 5.6%

Why You'll Like It: This game provides a challenging bullet-hell roguelite experience with a focus on tight, arcade-style combat.

The skies are aflame and the seas will overflow with wreckage in Vlambeer’s stylish arcade shooter LUFTRAUSERS! Take to the skies in customized fighter planes to battle battleships, submarines, and rival aces for glory, honor, and high scores.

Why similar: Arcade 18.7%, Pixel Graphics 15.5%, Fast-Paced 14%, Shoot 'Em Up 13%, Great Soundtrack 7.6%

Why You'll Like It: It is a pure arcade experience that focuses on high-intensity, high-speed combat and score-chasing.

The infamous, tough-as-nails platformer comes to Steam with a playable Head Crab character (Steam-exclusive)!

Why similar: Precision Platformer 44.8%, Difficult 12.5%, Platformer 12.2%, 2D Platformer 9.1%, Fast-Paced 6.3%

Why You'll Like It: This game is essential for anyone who enjoys the high-difficulty, instant-respawn nature of precision platformers.

Crypt of the NecroDancer is an award winning hardcore roguelike rhythm game. Move to the music and deliver beatdowns to the beat! Groove to the epic Danny Baranowsky soundtrack, or select songs from your own MP3 collection!

Why similar: Difficult 27.1%, Pixel Graphics 21.2%, Roguelike 15%, Great Soundtrack 14.1%, Indie 6%

Why You'll Like It: It forces players to master movement and combat rhythmically, mirroring the need for precision in Downwell.

Run, jump, shoot, fly and explore your way through a massive action-adventure reminiscent of classic 8- and 16-bit games.

Why similar: Difficult 28.2%, Platformer 24.1%, Pixel Graphics 15.6%, Retro 10.6%, Action 6%

Why You'll Like It: This classic action-platformer features tight controls and a distinct pixel-art style that fans of Downwell will appreciate.

Neon Abyss is a frantic, roguelite action-platformer where you run ‘n’ gun your way into the Abyss. Featuring unlimited item synergies and a unique dungeon evolution system, each run diversifies the experience and every choice alters the ruleset.

Why similar: Action Roguelike 21.4%, Platformer 21.1%, 2D Platformer 14.5%, Pixel Graphics 12.9%, Roguelike 8.3%

Why You'll Like It: This roguelite platformer features intense shooting and procedural levels that capture the spirit of Downwell's gameplay.

Upfall is a game about bouncing, dodging, and near death experiences. Burst bubbles to progress upwards, but be careful to dodge the hazards in the depths. How far will your upfall be? A free game for the in betweens.

Why similar: Precision Platformer 31.3%, Difficult 10.9%, Platformer 10.8%, Fast-Paced 10.2%, 2D Platformer 9.5%

Minit is a peculiar little adventure played sixty seconds at a time.

Why similar: Pixel Graphics 34.5%, Indie 12.4%, Retro 11.6%, Fast-Paced 11.2%, Great Soundtrack 11%

Why You'll Like It: Its minimalist design and time-loop mechanic create a focused, high-stakes experience similar to Downwell's short runs.

Cuphead is a classic run and gun action game heavily focused on boss battles. Inspired by cartoons of the 1930s, the visuals and audio are painstakingly created with the same techniques of the era, i.e. traditional hand drawn cel animation, watercolor backgrounds, and original jazz recordings.

Why similar: Difficult 39.9%, Platformer 22.6%, Great Soundtrack 8.4%, Shoot 'Em Up 7.7%, Retro 7.3%

Why You'll Like It: It focuses on high-difficulty, boss-centric combat that requires the same level of precision and pattern recognition as Downwell.

Broforce is an action-packed side-scrolling run ‘n’ gun ode to freedom, putting you in control of an under-funded, overpowered paramilitary organization dealing exclusively in excessive force.

Why similar: Platformer 28.8%, Pixel Graphics 25.5%, Action 10.9%, Arcade 10.2%, Retro 8.4%

Why You'll Like It: It offers high-octane, fast-paced action and platforming that feels like a chaotic, explosive version of Downwell.

Discover the lost treasures of Ukampa in South America as Aban Hawkins searches for his estranged father, world-famous archeaologist, Jim Hawkins. Aban Hawkins races into the frozen tundra of the antarctic, undiscovered temple ruins and the vast caverns of South America in search of his father and the legendary treasure rumored to lie...

Why similar: Precision Platformer 46.7%, Platformer 16.9%, Difficult 13.2%, Pixel Graphics 6.4%, Retro 4.2%

Why You'll Like It: It is a brutally difficult precision platformer that tests reflexes in a way very similar to Downwell.

Bounce to the top in this skill based, roguelite action-platformer! Collect powerful items, pick unique weapons, and fight off a variety of enemies while navigating around with a fun, difficult, and unique movement system. Are you up for the challenge?

Why similar: Precision Platformer 25.2%, Action Roguelike 15.4%, Difficult 12.2%, Platformer 11.7%, 2D Platformer 9.8%

Explore a beautiful, vast and ruined world riddled with dangers and lost technologies.

Why similar: Difficult 33.3%, Pixel Graphics 30.5%, Great Soundtrack 12.7%, Indie 7.3%, Action 6.5%

Between our world and the world beyond lie the Titan Souls, the spiritual source of all living things. Scattered amongst the ruins and guarded by the idle titans charged with their care, a solitary hero armed with a single arrow is assembling shards of the Titan Soul in a quest for truth and power.

Why similar: Difficult 40.6%, Pixel Graphics 28.3%, Great Soundtrack 7%, Action 5.9%, Indie 5.8%

Devil Daggers is a fast-paced shooter that places you in an abyssal arena to face endless legions of demons. Armed with versatile magic daggers and a fluid movement system, fight to survive as long as you can.

Why similar: Fast-Paced 32%, Difficult 30.6%, Pixel Graphics 9.1%, Retro 8.6%, Arcade 7.2%

Risk of Rain is an action platformer with roguelike elements. With permanent death as a primary feature, players will have to play their best to get as far as possible. Fight on a mysterious planet with randomly spawning enemies and bosses, either alone or with 3 friends in online co-op.

Why similar: Action Roguelike 33.5%, Platformer 16.4%, Difficult 13.1%, Pixel Graphics 10.5%, Roguelike 8.3%

Rabbit Hole is a fast paced, tough-as-nails 2D RogueLike-Shooter, made with love for the genre. You are Disc, someone who was suddenly brought to the Rabbit Hole. Collect guns, fight foes and meet strange new characters on your descent to the bottom, all in an attempt to find your heart again.

Why similar: Action Roguelike 25.8%, Platformer 18%, 2D Platformer 16.6%, Pixel Graphics 11%, Shoot 'Em Up 10.3%

Ether Loop is a hardcore fast-paced bullet hell with roguelike elements. Descend the unforgiving depths of a mysterious world, encounter challenges, discover dynamic environments and fight ruthless creatures while unveiling the secrets of Ether Loop.

Why similar: Fast-Paced 17.4%, Difficult 13.1%, Pixel Graphics 12.7%, Action 12.6%, Indie 11.4%

Spirits Abyss is a roguelite platformer with destructible terrain. Cast into the Abysm you must explore its diverse depths battling phantasmic meanies and plundering its useful treasures to find a way home... but does something nestle beyond the realmic veil of death?

Why similar: Action Roguelike 18.9%, Precision Platformer 17.1%, Difficult 14.9%, Platformer 14.3%, Arcade 8.1%

As a demon army besieges his village, a young ninja ventures through a cursed world, to deliver a scroll paramount to his clan’s survival. What begins as a classic action platformer soon unravels into an expansive time-traveling adventure full of thrills, surprises, and humor.

Why similar: Platformer 23.2%, Pixel Graphics 16.3%, 2D Platformer 12.9%, Retro 11.7%, Difficult 11.6%

TumbleSeed is a deceptively deep roguelike about balancing a seed up a dangerous and ever-changing mountain.

Why similar: Action Roguelike 54.6%, Difficult 18.2%, Indie 9.1%, Action 8.6%, Roguelite 5.3%

Dungreed is a 2D side-scrolling action game with 2D Rogue-LITE elements. You become an adventurer exploring a continuously evolving dungeon to prevent the town from being destroyed. Eliminate enemies, use a variety of weapons and magic, eat food, and defeat evil in the dungeon!

Why similar: Action Roguelike 35.9%, Pixel Graphics 16.5%, Difficult 10%, Platformer 8.1%, Roguelike 7.5%

Challenging 2D platformer with simple graphics and a great chiptune soundtrack.

Why similar: Precision Platformer 38.1%, Difficult 15.7%, Platformer 13.1%, 2D Platformer 9.1%, Retro 6.7%

You Have to Win the Game is a free exploration platformer with a retro 1980s PC aesthetic.

Why similar: Precision Platformer 27.5%, Platformer 21.2%, Difficult 14.6%, Retro 11.4%, Pixel Graphics 9%

Vlambeer's SUPER CRATE BOX is coming to bring back the glory of the golden arcade age, when all that really mattered was getting on that high score list. Grab your baseball cap and loosen your pants, it's time to fight endless hordes of enemies and collect every weapon crate you can.

Why similar: Platformer 26.1%, Pixel Graphics 16.8%, Difficult 12.7%, Arcade 11.7%, Fast-Paced 7.3%

A vividly animated action roguelite focused on boss hunting. Unleash an array of diverse weapons and powerups to combat the corruption of the Void.

Why similar: Action Roguelike 31.5%, Difficult 19.2%, Shoot 'Em Up 12.7%, Pixel Graphics 12%, Roguelike 7.3%

DEADBOLT is an extremely challenging stealth-action hybrid that allows you to take control of the reaper to quell the recent undead uprising.

Why similar: Difficult 28.4%, Pixel Graphics 26.8%, Great Soundtrack 14.9%, Indie 8.2%, Action 7.4%

The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth is a randomly generated action RPG shooter with heavy Rogue-like elements. Following Isaac on his journey players will find bizarre treasures that change Isaac’s form giving him super human abilities and enabling him to fight off droves of mysterious creatures, discover secrets and fight his way to safety.

Why similar: Action Roguelike 39%, Difficult 21.4%, Pixel Graphics 10.8%, Roguelike 9%, Indie 5.2%

RITE is a high-speed, precision platformer where you must conquer a series of challenging trials, a rite of passage for every Nim.

Why similar: Precision Platformer 34.3%, Platformer 14.9%, 2D Platformer 13.4%, Difficult 12.3%, Pixel Graphics 10%

Gomez is a 2D creature living in a 2D world. Or is he? When the existence of a mysterious 3rd dimension is revealed to him, Gomez is sent out on a journey that will take him to the very end of time and space. Use your ability to navigate 3D structures from 4 distinct classic 2D perspectives.

Why similar: Platformer 48.7%, Pixel Graphics 21.9%, Indie 11.2%, Great Soundtrack 9.9%, Adventure 2.4%

Pixel Descent is an action rogue-lite in which you navigate a series of complex dungeons packed to the brim with monsters that want you dead. Sign the contract and descend into the deepest depths of the abyss knowing full well that you will definitely die there, it's just a matter of when.

Why similar: Action Roguelike 28.9%, Arcade 14.2%, Pixel Graphics 14%, Shoot 'Em Up 12.7%, Retro 8.6%

APE OUT is a wildly intense and colorfully stylized smash ‘em up about primal escape, rhythmic violence, and frenetic jazz.

Why similar: Fast-Paced 33.1%, Difficult 26.8%, Arcade 14.9%, Action 7%, Indie 6.9%

An action-adventure roguelike with a bit of RPG tossed in. Adventure deep into the UnderMine and discover powerful relics, deadly enemies, hidden secrets, and a few friends to help along the way.

Why similar: Action Roguelike 56.1%, Pixel Graphics 16.6%, Roguelite 7.2%, Action 3.9%, Indie 3.5%

Skelly Selest is a score-attack hack slash dash run 'n' gun-athon. Venture into the procedurally generated perdition depths of Hell to purge the evil taint of the Deamonica Netherlords and their fiendly followers.

Why similar: Action Roguelike 35%, Difficult 15.6%, Pixel Graphics 12.3%, Roguelike 6.7%, Roguelite 5.9%

UFO 50 is a collection of 50 single and multiplayer games that span a variety of genres, from platformers and shoot 'em ups to puzzle games, roguelites, and RPGs. Our goal is to combine a familiar 8-bit aesthetic with new ideas and modern game design.

Why similar: Pixel Graphics 19.8%, Difficult 17.3%, Retro 13.1%, Arcade 13.1%, Indie 7.3%

Tiny Rogues is a challenging fantasy rogue-lite bullet-hell dungeon crawler with rpg elements. Build a new unique character each run and fight one monster-infested room after another! Discover unique weapons, collect magical items and level up to become more and more powerful!

Why similar: Action Roguelike 37.5%, Difficult 26.7%, Pixel Graphics 13.1%, Roguelike 7.9%, Roguelite 5.9%

2D platform game focused on intense combat against enemies and exploration of secret areas in dark dungeons full of dangers.

Why similar: Fast-Paced 19.6%, Platformer 17.6%, Difficult 17.2%, Pixel Graphics 11.1%, Retro 8.2%

Fell is a 2d Precision Platformer with a retro semi-1-bit aesthetic. Play through multiple unique areas, unlock new color palettes, and use fun movement abilities to conquer levels and make difficult jumps!

Why similar: Precision Platformer 54.9%, Pixel Graphics 13.2%, 2D Platformer 11.1%, Platformer 10.4%, Action 3.6%

Platformines is a unique 2D platformer packed with exploration, RPG and shooter elements, set in a vast 16-bit underground world! Customise your character, master all difficulty levels and literally jump to the top of the leaderboards to prove your skills!

Why similar: Action Roguelike 55.3%, Platformer 24%, Action 7.6%, Indie 5.4%, Pixel Graphics 3.9%

In this fast paced twin-stick roguelite platformer, you play as an unnamed child ascending an ominous clocktower in pursuit of their lost memories. Harvest and sacrifice souls to grow your power in order to challenge procedural encounter rooms and intimidating bosses!

Why similar: Action Roguelike 39.9%, Pixel Graphics 16.5%, Retro 8.4%, Roguelike 8%, Roguelite 6.8%