August 26, 2023, 2:58 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
At first glance, “Towerborne” offers vibrant, appealing graphics and fun co-op battles. TECHBOOK had the opportunity to take a second look at the title and play it during Gamescom 2023.
So far, Stoic Studio is best known for “The Banner Saga.” The successful game resembles an old Disney film and combines an exciting mix of Norse mythology with an entertaining game system. There are certain expectations for the studio’s new title. However, “Towerborne” looks quite different at first glance. What can Stoic’s new comic-like game offer?
What “Towerborne” is About
Unlike The Banner Saga, which centers on dark themes, “Towerborne” aims to strike a different tone visually. The developers have opted for a colorful, comic-like style. And although “Towerborne” is also intended for families, death is an important theme in the game.
Players take on the role of so-called Aces, reborn heroes who protect the belfry, the titular tower of the game. Outside the protective walls, numerous dangers lurk, while inside, various quests, a crafting system, and well-developed characters await. Not much else is known about the story, except that it features a sophisticated plot from the author of The Banner Saga–which sounds very promising.
Also interesting: 10 exciting games from Gamescom that will be released soon
Seasonal Concept Aims to Provide Variety
The unique concept behind the title is the seasonally changing map around the tower. This constantly evolves, also driven by updates from the developers. “The premise we came up with revolves around how to make a game with different seasons without it feeling artificial,” explains Alex Thomas, the principal game designer of “Towerborne.” This concept would allow developers to keep the game current indefinitely and provide players with new content.
While the brawler-style game also offers a single-player mode, it is primarily designed as a co-op title. Up to four people can play together and customize their characters individually. However, an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or Xbox Live Gold is required. The controls are intuitive and accessible. Normal and heavy attacks, blocking, jumping, dodging–all the basic mechanics of an action game are present. Additionally, when the corresponding meter is charged, a special attack can be unleashed, which is especially important in boss battles.
Gamescom 2025 Trailer Highlights
One of the Most Famous Games Comes to PlayStation Plus
First Hands-On with “Towerborne” at Gamescom
The action RPG was available for hands-on play for the first time at Gamescom 2023. The roughly 30-minute demo led through a linear area to an initial boss fight to demonstrate the basic mechanics. There were also insights into the belfry and additional explanations from the developers. TECHBOOK also had the chance to briefly play “Towerborne” on-site.
Also exciting: “The Crew Motorfest” hands-on–smaller game world, larger selection
Price and Availability of “Towerborne”
The action-adventure “Towerborne” is set to be released in 2024. The game from the makers of The Banner Saga, Stoic, will be available directly at launch on Xbox Game Pass and as a PC version on Steam. The price is not yet known.