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Downward: Enhanced Edition

PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2017

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Quick resume

Downward is a first-person open-world parkour based platform adventure set in the medieval ruins of a post-apocalyptic planet Earth. Make your way through breath-taking landscapes, face ancient guardians and unravel the deep mystery that lies behind the disappearance of humanity.

Global score

71/100

Genres

Adventure, Indie, Platform

Pros

  • Beautiful and immersive open world
  • Engaging parkour mechanics
  • Active and responsive developers
  • Multiple endings and replayability
  • Good value for price

Cons

  • Vague and minimal story
  • Some bugs and glitches
  • Combat is simplistic and shallow
  • Controls can be clunky at times
  • Performance issues on some hardware

Motivations

  • Autonomy
    4

    "Players have freedom to explore open world maps with multiple paths and choose their own pace and approach to objectives."

  • Competence
    3

    "Parkour mechanics require skill and precision; challenges and puzzles increase difficulty and provide feedback on player performance."

  • Competition
    -3

    "Focus is on personal exploration and skill mastery rather than competing against others; leaderboards exist but are secondary."

  • Continuation
    3

    "Players report spending many hours exploring, replaying for multiple endings and challenges, indicating habitual engagement."

  • Cooperation
    -5

    "Game is primarily single-player with no cooperative multiplayer or teamwork elements."

  • Creativity
    2

    "Players can customize a home base and use abilities creatively to explore, but core gameplay follows designed paths."

  • Domination
    -5

    "No evidence of exerting control or superiority over others; interactions are single-player focused."

  • Escapism
    4

    "Players use the game to relax, explore beautiful worlds, and escape real-life stress through immersive parkour gameplay."

  • Expectation
    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of personal interest and enjoyment; no indication of obligation or external pressure."

  • Experimenting
    3

    "Game encourages trying new parkour moves, exploring different planets/world states, and discovering hidden areas."

  • Exploration
    5

    "Strong emphasis on discovering new areas, secrets, collectibles, and alternate paths in open world environments."

  • Expression
    2

    "Some customization of home base and character progression, but limited avatar or environment personalization."

  • Fantasy
    4

    "Set in a fantasy/sci-fi post-apocalyptic world with magical elements, mythical creatures, and imaginative settings."

  • Fellowship
    -5

    "No social or community features; gameplay is solitary and focused on individual experience."

  • Growth
    3

    "Players learn and improve parkour skills, unlock abilities, and gain knowledge of game mechanics over time."

  • Health
    -5

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."

  • Idle
    -3

    "Requires focused attention and continuous engagement with parkour and exploration challenges."

  • Intimacy
    -5

    "No evidence of forming close relationships or emotional social interactions within the game."

  • Leadership
    -5

    "No leadership or group management roles; single-player experience only."

  • Progression
    4

    "Players collect orbs and items to upgrade skills and abilities, unlocking new gameplay options and areas."

  • Relaxation
    3

    "Players find the game relaxing and enjoyable despite some challenging sections; good balance of flow."

  • Sensation
    3

    "Visuals and sound design provide stimulating sensory experience with beautiful environments and effects."

  • Status
    -4

    "Achievements and leaderboards exist but social recognition is minimal and not a primary motivator."

  • Story
    1

    "Story is present but vague and minimal; serves mostly as context for exploration rather than deep narrative."

  • Strategy
    2

    "Some puzzle solving and tactical use of abilities required, but overall gameplay is straightforward."

  • Thrill
    2

    "Some suspense and challenge in parkour and combat encounters, but overall experience is calm and exploratory."

  • Value
    4

    "Players feel the game offers good value for price with many hours of content and replayability."

  • Violence
    -3

    "Combat is minimal and simplistic; focus is on avoidance and exploration rather than destruction."

  • Survival
    1

    "Some resource management and avoiding enemy attacks, but low risk and forgiving mechanics."

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    Last update: 06/03/2026