Towerborne is a free-to-play side-scrolling action role-playing video game developed by Stoic and published by Xbox Game Studios. It released to Steam in as an early access game on September 10, 2024 and is scheduled to be released in 2025 for Windows and Xbox Series X/S.

Towerborne
Developer(s)Stoic
Publisher(s)Xbox Game Studios
Composer(s)Austin Wintory
EngineUnreal Engine
Platform(s)
Release
  • Windows
  • September 10, 2024 (early access)
  • Xbox Series X/S
  • 2025
Genre(s)Action role-playing
Mode(s)Multiplayer, single-player

Gameplay

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The player is engaging in combat with a boss.

Towerborne is a side-scrolling action role-playing video game inspired by beat 'em ups.[1] The game takes place in the City of Numbers, a post-apocalyptical fantasy world overwhelmed by monsters. The heroes of Towerborne are known as Aces, who must set out to reclaim lost territories and make the land safe while refugees make their way to the Belfry. Aces can be customized at the Belfry, the game's hub world. Players can choose from several weapon classes, including Pyroclast, Rockbreaker, Sentinel, and Shadowstriker. Players are not locked to any playstyle. The game features a hex-based overworld map. As players explore the game's world, they will open up more hexes and therefore, unlock new mission opportunities and encounter new enemy types. The game supports both local and online four-player cooperative multiplayer.[2]

Development and release

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Towerborne is being developed by Stoic and published by Xbox Game Studios. The game was developed using Unreal Engine, and the game's art style was inspired by animated feature films. Initially the game was designed to be a 2D game like The Banner Saga series, though this was later expanded to include more axes of movement. The tone of the game is more uplifting when compared with The Banner Saga. While the game is set in a post-apocolyptic world, the tower of Belfry was described by the team as "a beacon of hope and safety amongst the ruins of humanity and the City of Numbers".[3]

Codenamed Project Belfry, the game was first leaked in October 2021.[4] The game was officially announced on June 11, 2023, during the Xbox Games Showcase.[5] Towerborne was envisioned by Stoic as a live service game, with the studio planning to introduce new content to the game following its official launch.[6]

On August 20, 2024, it was announced that the game would release in early access on September 10, 2024 for Windows, with the final game releasing as a free-to-play game in 2025.[7]

References

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  1. ^ Allsop, Ken (September 12, 2024). "Towerborne is a delightful co-op action RPG with Diablo style loot". PCGamesN. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  2. ^ Corden, Jez (September 12, 2023). "Xbox's 'Towerborne' hands-on: The modern beat 'em up of my dreams". Windows Central. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  3. ^ Dickinson, Rich (August 23, 2023). "Ace of the Belfry: How Stoic is Developing Towerborne to be an Epic Action-RPG with a Focus on Fun". Xbox Wire. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  4. ^ Sinha, Ravi (October 27, 2021). "Project Belfry is Being Developed by The Banner Saga's Stoic Studio – Rumor". Gaming Bolt. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  5. ^ Romano, Sal (June 11, 2023). "Xbox Game Studios and Stoic announce action adventure game Towerborne for Xbox Series, Xbox One, and PC". Gematsu. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  6. ^ West, Josh (August 30, 2023). "Towerborne is destined to be the Xbox Series X's answer to Castle Crashers". gamesradar. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  7. ^ Corden, Jez (August 21, 2024). "'Towerborne' will launch first on Steam Early Access with Xbox Game Preview in tow, ahead of a 2025 free-to-play launch". Windows Central. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
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