Note: This review is based on the pre-early access version that Stoic sent to the media. We will monitor the game regularly and publish a final analysis when it is finished and in version 1.0.
Developer Stoic is made up of former BioWare developers and has made a name for itself over the past 10 years with The Banner Saga series. They’ve focused on that series and in that time they’ve barely developed anything else. But now they’re back with Towerborne, a game that marks a new direction for the studio. Although I’ve never tried The Banner Saga, it’s always tempted me. The game’s design and visual style feel deliberate and charming, so it will be exciting to see what Stoic has achieved with its latest project.
Towerborne’s story focuses on a world that has fallen. Humanity has survived by gathering in a huge tower that serves as the last bastion against the numerous enemies and monsters that threaten the environment. Here, players take on the role of one of the so-called “Aces”, heroes responsible for defending the tower and its inhabitants. In the tower itself, there are a number of NPC characters that you can interact with to receive new quests and upgrades for your character. Unfortunately, the story doesn’t have much importance at the beginning of the game. A lot of time is spent getting to know the different game mechanics, and I think that choice makes the beginning a bit boring. It feels like momentum is lost because the main story isn’t properly introduced at the beginning of the game. Conflicts that should be the driving force of the player remain in the background while you grapple with small tasks and side stories.
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I rather miss the narrative drive at the beginning of the game. While there are plenty of interesting NPCs to talk to, it seems like they lack a coherent story to tie them together. For example, it would have been great if the conflict over the survival of the tower and the constant enemy attacks had been more focused. It would have given players’ actions a sense of urgency and necessity, which could have made the experience more engaging from the start.
Another negative aspect is the lack of voice acting. Although the characters are colorful and designed with attention to detail, speaking only through text boxes makes them stiff and uninteresting. It seems like an outdated solution, especially in a modern game. Stoic has dispensed with voice acting in the past in The Banner Saga series, but in a game like Towerborne it would have really made a difference and given the characters more life. That’s a shame, because there’s a lot of potential here that isn’t being exploited.
The gameplay in Towerborne is a mix of many genres. The world you explore is divided into small hexagonal squares and each section offers a quest. When you enter a mission, the game switches to a side-scrolling perspective where it becomes a classic beat ’em up experience. You control your character through battles and encounter enemies in various areas. The missions are quite short, usually lasting around five minutes, but there are a lot of them. Unfortunately, they quickly become monotonous, with many missions repetitive in both setup and design. You often find yourself running through the same environments and fighting the same enemies, which can make the experience a bit boring in the long run.
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Thankfully, Towerborne is designed as a multiplayer game and this is where it really shines. You can play with up to four players together, which makes battles much more fun and hectic. The ability to coordinate attacks and work together with friends adds a new dimension to the game that is sadly lacking when playing solo. At first, I had a hard time finding people to play with, but when I finally did, it definitely enhanced the experience. The social element adds the spice that I also miss in the game’s story and character development, so if you want to try Towerborne, I definitely recommend doing it with friends.
However, as a single-player experience, Towerborne is a bit generic. It can quickly feel like a repetition of the same tasks, and without someone to share it with, it’s hard to maintain interest. Most levels consist of simple beat ’em up sequences, but there are also a few missions that require you to protect refugees or solve small puzzles. Unfortunately, these variations are few and far between, and Stoic could have done more to break up the monotony.
In terms of character progression, there are four different classes to choose from. Each class has its own strengths, weaknesses, and equipment options. The game forces you to try out all of the classes as part of a quest at the beginning, which feels a bit forced. I would have preferred if the game had introduced these mechanics more organically rather than forcing them on the player.
Towerborne does have its charms, however, especially in the graphics, which have a unique and stylized look, and the music is pretty catchy too. However, the game is still in Early Access and I encountered several technical issues, including some annoying crashes that sent me back to the desktop. Stoic still needs to work on refining the game before its official release in 2025.
Overall, Towerborne has potential, but it doesn’t feel quite finished yet. The game really shines in multiplayer, but as a single player game it’s a bit boring and repetitive. If Stoic can build on the foundation he’s laid and add more variety, this could become a really fun game. Until then, I’ll only return to the game if I have friends to play with.
