Downwell 2015

Is it still worth playing?

Welltaro straps on his gunboots and drops down a well full of monsters, in this 2015 roguelike vertical shooter by Ojiro Fumoto. You only move left and right and jump, and holding jump in mid air fires the boots. Ammo is limited and reloads when you land, and many enemies can be stomped instead of shot, which also reloads the clip and starts a combo. The well is procedurally generated and made of stages with three levels each, and after every level you pick one of three upgrades. Gems buy health and ammo in shops, and collecting 100 quickly triggers Gem High, which strengthens your weapon. The look is white, black and red, with unlockable palettes and styles that change how you move and how hard the run is. Each descent is short, so it is still easy to try again right away.