Paid once
We only keep one-time purchases on this wellhead. Free-with-ads cards stay off the list.
Three premium indie titles we keep on the wellhead
3
ranked apps
4.8
peak store rating
22 Oct
facts checked 2026
We run a short premium indie wellhead: paid App Store cards only, facts dated, install on Apple’s store — never on this site. Reigns, Downwell, and holedown were re-read on 22 October 2026.
The premium indie ranking we still stand behind
Stacked by how the wellhead weighed the cards on 22 October 2026. No public install counters on App Store — we did not invent any.
-
Reigns
Devolver · Card / Adventure
- 4.8 stars from 7.6K ratings
- Paid (one-time purchase) · $2.99
- 130 MB · iOS 13.0+ · v1.15
- Age 13+ · Updated 10 Aug 2026
- App ID 1114127463
- Checked 22 October 2026
-
Downwell
Devolver · Action / Casual
- 4.7 stars from 1.8K ratings
- Paid (one-time purchase) · $2.99
- 84.3 MB · iOS 8.0+ · v1.0.72
- Age 9+ · Updated 22 Dec 2020
- App ID 1032708262
- Checked 22 October 2026
-
holedown
webbfarbror AB · Puzzle / Casual
- 4.3 stars from 399 ratings
- Paid (one-time purchase) · $3.99
- 80.3 MB · iOS 12.0+ · v1.0.10
- Age 4+ · Updated 22 Nov 2023
- App ID 1297270249
- Checked 22 October 2026
Premium indie cards side by side
Only fields the App Store publishes. Downloads are absent on every card.
| App | Rating | Size | Price | Updated | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reigns | 4.8 (7.6K) | 130 MB | $2.99 | 10 Aug 2026 | 13+ |
| Downwell | 4.7 (1.8K) | 84.3 MB | $2.99 | 22 Dec 2020 | 9+ |
| holedown | 4.3 (399) | 80.3 MB | $3.99 | 22 Nov 2023 | 4+ |
What a premium indie entry must clear
Readable listing
Rating, size, version, and age rating must be on the card. Gaps are stated, never filled.
Session clarity
The store description has to make the core loop obvious in one sitting — swipe, fall, or dig.
Dated check
Every fact block ends with 22 October 2026. Undated praise does not leave the wellhead.
Premium indie verdicts in one glance
| Rank | App | Verdict | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Reigns | The longest-lived throne loop on this wellhead. | Short sessions that still feel like a dynasty |
| #2 | Downwell | Gunboots and gems — the sharpest fall on the list. | Arcade runs you can restart in under a minute |
| #3 | holedown | A calm dig with one-handed aim and no ad wall. | One-handed puzzle digging without free-to-play noise |
Why this premium indie list stops at three
We keep the wellhead short on purpose. Three paid cards is enough to compare without diluting the ranking into a directory. Each entry earns its own written review under /reviews.
We read the App Store pages on 22 October 2026, copied only published fields, and linked out for the install. Full steps live on the methodology page.