8 Platformer games like Downwell that you should try

What brings it close to Downwell is punishing difficulty, melee combat and a sci-fi setting, and the two track each other on genre, combat and game mode. Both also lean on pixel art and single-player focus. The distance is in tone and setting — its own ground is strong narrative focus.

Same family as Downwell: punishing difficulty, ranged combat and fantasy world. The common ground extends to single-player focus. Where the two diverge is visuals and setting: strong narrative focus and an anime aesthetic.

It comes from the same genre as Downwell and shares punishing difficulty, ranged combat and fantasy world. Both also lean on single-player focus and 2D presentation. The distance is in game mode and setting — its own ground is a cartoon aesthetic and multiplayer gameplay.

Same family as Downwell: punishing difficulty, melee combat and single-player focus. The common ground extends to 2D presentation. Where the two diverge is game mode and tone: multiplayer gameplay.

The genre is the same as Downwell’s, and with it a casual, approachable feel, melee combat and single-player focus. Both also lean on 2D presentation. The distance is in game mode and visuals — its own ground is multiplayer gameplay.

The genre is the same as Downwell’s, and with it a casual, approachable feel, melee combat and a sci-fi setting. Both also lean on 2D presentation and single-player focus. The distance is in setting and visuals — its own ground is a space setting.

Genre puts it alongside Downwell, and so does punishing difficulty, melee combat and single-player focus. To that it adds pixel art. They part company on setting and tone: this one brings strong narrative focus and stealth mechanics.

Held in common with Downwell: shooting mechanics, ranged combat and single-player focus. The distance is in visuals — its own ground is a first-person view.