Before we go down the rabbit hole…
Towerborne is rolling out the red carpet for gamers who love a side-scrolling romp with regular updates and endless action. It’s got combat that’s more fun than a squirrel in a nut factory, customization options that’ll make you feel like a fashionista, and visuals so stunning they might just make your eyes do a happy dance.
But, before you pledge your undying loyalty, you might want to keep an eye on whether the grind and the progression economy turn out to be more of a marathon than a sprint. Will it be worth your time? Only the future knows, but hey, at least it’ll look fabulous while you find out!
Pros:
+Gameplay so satisfying, it might just make you skip your gym session to stay on the couch.
+Equipment and cosmetics designed with enough pizzazz to make your character the best-dressed pixel on the block.
+Visuals and soundtrack so gorgeous, they’ll have you feeling like you’re playing a high-budget movie instead of a game.
Cons:
-Grind alert! Even in Early Access, Towerborne’s about as relaxing as a marathon with no finish line.
-Linear narrative so straightforward, you might start wondering if it’s on a quest for the most efficient route to “meh.” More lore, please!
For the Hord!! No, wait… that’s not right!
Mix together a hearty splash of Contra (for all the oldies), a sprinkle of the teenage Mutant ninja turtles’ game, and a smidgen of fantasy lore so original it might need its own fan club, and voilà—you’ve got Stoic Games’ latest beat-’em-up, Towerborne! It’s like if your favourite retro games had a wild, lore-filled party and invited everyone. Sure, it’s a bit of a detour from the Banner Saga days, but Towerborne’s gameplay loop is so satisfying it might just make you forget what you were doing before. So, grab your virtual sword and shield and get ready to dive into Early Access on Steam—it’s about to get pixel-perfect!
Will Towerborne stick around on your hard drive? That’s still up in the air. Sure, it’s got sharp combat mechanics and visuals so pretty they might make you weep with joy, but that doesn’t automatically guarantee it’ll become your new multiplayer BFF. Fortunately, Stoic Games is promising to keep things fresh with new content throughout Early Access and beyond.
In the world of Towerborne, folks are living it up as refugees in the colossal Belfry after the City of Numbers met an untimely end. You, playing as an amnesiac Ace who’s had their memory scrambled like a breakfast order, have to venture outside the tower to battle menacing beasts. Basically, you’re the Belfry’s only hope for keeping the monster population in check and maybe getting your memory back—no pressure!
Strap on your adventurer’s hat and prepare to dive into the world map with a stack of jobs and missions that’ll keep you busier than a caffeinated squirrel. Fight your way through bite-sized levels packed with a smorgasbord of monsters, all while wielding one of four classes—whether you’re flying solo or hanging out with a tiny team of other players. Collect loot and gear, level up your class, weapons, and overall rank, and then hit repeat. It’s like Groundhog Day, but with more loot and fewer existential crises. The core gameplay loop of Towerborne is as familiar and satisfying as your favorite comfort food, especially when you’re battling monsters that are as wacky as the Simpsons arcade game.
Combat in Towerborne is sharp and has just enough strategy to keep you on your toes. You’ve got light moves, heavy attacks, Umbra abilities, parries, and special attacks filling up your combo repertoire like a well-stocked toolbox. Dodge rolls and the occasional friendly fire from enemy attacks add a dash of strategy, though it often feels like the fight is more “chaos carnival” than “strategic symposium.”
SENTINEL
PYROCLAST
ROCKBREAKER
SHADOWSTRIKER
Chaos can actually be a blast. Picture this: you’re collecting loot from a gang of dual-sword-wielding rats in a single combo, or narrowly dodging a bomb tossed by a Snaggletooth—an early-game monster that you’ll see more times than your own reflection—just in time for it to blow up a bunch of other monsters. All this while you’re surrounded by stunningly beautiful backdrops of fungi-filled forests and lush grasslands, making you feel like you’re living in a moving painting.
However, the backgrounds are a bit like that one painting you’ve seen so many times you could draw it from memory. The same uncharted cottages, fields, and gardens keep making appearances without any secret passages or hidden loot. While I didn’t get bored of the scenery, it does make me wish for a few more surprises. Maybe a secret nook or two or some extra loot could have spiced things up a bit. It’s like being invited to a party but only being allowed to peek through the window.
Looks are everything… So they say!!!
Just because there weren’t any sneaky chests full of helms and swords lurking in the middle of levels doesn’t mean I was left high and dry on loot. Each skirmish with the monsters at the Belfry’s edges was like a free shopping spree—leaving me with a mountain of helms, belts, pants, and weapons. And yes, these didn’t just sit around looking pretty; they came with their own bonuses and style upgrades.
Decking out my Ace with this gear was like being a fashionista with a serious combat edge. The semi-robust character creator let me play dress-up and role-play like a pro. Evaluating my loot haul after every mission was the highlight of my gameplay, like getting to unwrap a present every time I finished a battle.
However, the thrill of sifting through my loot eventually wore off, kind of like realizing that your new clothes come with an ironing board. Most of the gear you pick up after a mission ends up needing to be broken down into spirit dust for upgrading other gear.
So, a good chunk of your time will be spent at the forge, dismantling stuff like you’re playing an intense game of “How to Recycle Your Wardrobe.” Going through my rewards started feeling a bit like a never-ending chore, and the in-game characters didn’t shy away from pointing out how the Belfry’s economy is as confusing as trying to figure out your tax returns.
Don’t forget to check the looty-booty!!
It quickly became clear that, while combat missions in Towerborne are a blast, getting the full experience will be like running on a hamster wheel made of pixelated sweat and loot. That’s the big question mark as we head into Towerborne’s Early Access phase and look forward to its Xbox Series X debut in 2025.
Stoic Games clearly has plans to keep this beat-’em-up in the spotlight for the long haul. With the founder’s packs, a dazzling array of currencies—dusts and writs galore, a battle pass-esque curios system, and a roadmap for future content. It’s like they’re building an entire economy around smacking monsters!
But how’s that grind going to play out? Will it become smoother, like a well-oiled machine, or turn into a never-ending slog through a swamp of frustration?
Stoic Games didn’t have these bells and whistles in their Banner Saga days—those games were as multiplayer-free as a solo karaoke night. With Xbox Games Studios on board as the publisher, there’s hope that these new systems will roll out smoothly. Whether Towerborne will eventually blossom into a lore-rich epic or remain a shiny but shallow gem is still up in the air. But for now, the game is worth a shot—think of it as an investment in pixelated fun with a side of “we’ll see what happens.”
As the sun sets!
So, what’s the deal with Towerborne? Buckle up, because this side-scroller is like a wild ride with a caffeinated squirrel, stylish customization that’ll make you feel like a runway model, and visuals that might make your eyes do a happy jig. Stoic Games is aiming for long-term multiplayer fun, but whether this game becomes your new obsession or just a fleeting fling is still up in the air.
The grind could feel like a treadmill in a hamster wheel factory with the gameplay loop feeling familiar yet satisfying; while managing loot and a somewhat linear story might test your patience. Combat’s sharp, though it can sometimes resemble a chaotic carnival and the scenery, while pretty, might feel repetitive, like you’re stuck in a “Hey, didn’t I see that cottage before?” loop.
It’s a gamble worth taking—grab your sword and see how it goes!
Entertainment – 4/5
Action – 4/5
Extra – 3/5
EAX score 4/5
A Huge thanks to friends over at Prima Interactive for giving us the chance to become Ace’s and defend the Belfry from all manner of menacing beasts.
