Toren
- May 11, 2015
- Swordtales
- 5h median play time
A beautiful and thought provoking exploration into so many different ideas on life, which can be completed in one joyous, yet bewildering, sitting.
Get on Steam"Toren" is a single-player fantasy platformer game with an intriguing story and pretty visuals. As Moonchild, you'll climb Toren tower, solving puzzles and battling monsters to find freedom, while the tree of life within the tower grows with you. With its dense atmosphere, stellar music, and highly emotional narrative, Toren brings poetry to life through its dark fantasy storytelling and award-winning art design. However, be aware of the numerous bugs that may hinder your experience.
Mac OS
PC
Playstation 4
Playstation 5
Steam Deck
Windows
PlayStation
Reviews
- Beautiful visuals and art style that create an immersive atmosphere.
- Engaging and unique story that encourages exploration and interpretation.
- Soundtrack is hauntingly beautiful and complements the game's aesthetic.
- Clunky controls and camera issues that hinder gameplay experience.
- Short playtime of around 2-3 hours, which may not justify the price.
- Numerous bugs and glitches that can disrupt the flow of the game.
- story414 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The story of *Toren* is often described as beautiful yet vague, with many players finding it intriguing but difficult to fully grasp. While some appreciate its poetic and metaphorical storytelling, others criticize it for being convoluted and lacking clarity, leading to a disjointed experience. Overall, the narrative is seen as a short, atmospheric journey that may resonate more with those who enjoy abstract and artistic storytelling rather than straightforward plots.
“The story is weird and all the poetry presupposes you care about what's going on - but you don't even know what *is* going on...”
“The story was so simple but was done in such a roundabout and elaborate way it seemed there was more to it.”
“The story is beautiful, although I think it needs more space and development.”
“The story is almost completely nonsensical and just says random platitudes which have very little to do with what's going on in the moment.”
“The story is incredibly metaphorical, to the point where I had no clue what was actually happening.”
“The story left no impact on me and was hard to follow.”
- gameplay193 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The gameplay of *Toren* has received mixed reviews, with many players criticizing its clunky controls, simplistic mechanics, and lack of depth. While some appreciate the game's artistic visuals and narrative, they often find the gameplay repetitive and frustrating, with a short playtime that doesn't justify its price. Overall, it seems that the game prioritizes story and aesthetics over engaging gameplay, leading to a disappointing experience for those seeking a more traditional gaming challenge.
“The gameplay is solid with good direction, the world is beautiful and the story sucks you in making you feel that you’re exploring that tower yourself.”
“Despite being a short game (you can rush the game to the end in about 4 hours playing if you don't explore and just follow the main plot), it is a beautiful and amazing play... you'll be overwhelmed by the beauty that surrounds you... not only the scenario, but the sounds, the lights and the soft gameplay.”
“The gameplay is simple, yet fluid and smooth.”
“I don't think it's worth banging your head against the bad gameplay just to experience the game's aesthetics.”
“The gameplay is very limiting and slow to the point the repetitiveness could have gotten really annoying if the game was larger.”
“Very good idea, beautiful setting, interesting story ruined by very bad gameplay.”
- graphics182 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the beautiful art style and imaginative visuals, while others criticize the technical execution, noting glitches, low-resolution textures, and an overall dated appearance reminiscent of earlier console generations. Despite these shortcomings, the aesthetic appeal and atmospheric design are often highlighted as redeeming qualities, making the game visually engaging for those who appreciate artistic expression over high-fidelity graphics. Overall, while the graphics may not meet modern standards, they contribute to a unique and immersive experience.
“The graphics are beautiful, but imperfect in places.”
“The art style and colors are gorgeous, the music set the mood perfectly, the narrative is compelling -- and the gameplay is clunky as hell.”
“The visuals are great, and the story at least seems interesting enough, even if vague.”
“The graphics in this game are sub par, at the very best.”
“The graphics are so-so, but do just fine for the feeling of wonder and curiosity.”
“Unfortunately the game is both very short and very easy, and the graphics sometimes look like something you'd see on the Nintendo 64.”
- music118 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its beauty and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, with many reviewers highlighting the orchestral soundtrack and its emotional depth. While some noted that the music sometimes feels mismatched with gameplay moments, it is generally regarded as the standout feature, complementing the visuals and storytelling effectively. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant asset, with many recommending it even independently of the game itself.
“The music is absolutely beautiful.”
“The soundtrack is by far the best part of the game.”
“The music matches the visuals, creating a gorgeous meditative experience.”
“The pairing of the music and the 'boss fight(s)' is honestly kind of funny.”
“It tries to entice you with its concept and art, but the music, or lack thereof, and gameplay just make the experience a dull little trek through typical modern indie game.”
“When the narrator is talking, sometimes the background music will completely drown him out.”
- stability46 mentions
- 7 % positive mentions
- -4 % neutral mentions
- 98 % negative mentions
The game is plagued by numerous glitches and bugs, including issues with falling through floors, clunky controls, and graphical problems that detract from the overall experience. While some players found enjoyment in the game's concept and visuals, many reported significant frustration due to the instability, leading to frequent restarts and gameplay interruptions. Overall, the game's stability is a major concern, with many reviewers describing it as "buggy" and "clunky," impacting their enjoyment.
“The game also isn't as buggy as some other reviews make it seem.”
“I experienced very few crashes, which is impressive for a game of this scale.”
“The stability of the game allows for a smooth and enjoyable experience without interruptions.”
“It has many glitches where I fall through the floor and even where I can't hit bosses.”
“The game suffers from some minor glitches.”
“It feels like an incomplete game, and is very buggy.”
- atmosphere44 mentions
- 61 % positive mentions
- 32 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its beautiful art design, immersive soundscapes, and emotional storytelling, creating a unique and engaging experience. However, some players noted that awkward controls and pacing issues can detract from the overall immersion. Despite its short playtime and technical flaws, many reviewers recommend the game for those who prioritize atmosphere and creativity in their gaming experience.
“Toren is a short, artsy game that bets a lot on the atmosphere it conjures, which in my case worked very well.”
“The excellent atmospheric soundtrack (with a heavy reliance on string instruments like violin and cello) massively enhances immersion.”
“The presentation, art design and music help convey an atmosphere that few other games can match.”
“I kept getting pulled out of the atmosphere of the game because of the awkwardness of the controls and movement speed.”
“The atmosphere is decent, although the plot's disjointed nature at times can throw this off.”
“Despite this, it is still heartfelt and rich with symbolism and the art style, albeit different than what you are used to seeing in a multimillion dollar project, still allows moments of beauty and atmosphere.”
- replayability13 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
Overall, the game has been criticized for its lack of replayability, with many users noting that it offers only about 1 to 2 hours of gameplay and minimal incentives to replay, such as achievements or card drops. While some players appreciate the unique experience it provides, they agree that it does not support extended play or complex interactions that would encourage multiple playthroughs.
“It's interesting for a game to add replayability through story rather than unlockables or new gear and the like.”
“Now, this isn't necessarily a bad thing; it's a good thing, it adds replayability if anything.”
“Not much for replay value, about 1 to 1.5 hours of gameplay, but it does have cards and achievements.”
“It should probably be noted that it leaves half the card drops remaining and the game has no replayability.”
“I purchased Toren on sale after reading the reviews and it is definitely worth playing for the experience, but if you are looking for a game with replayability, complex gameplay, open world interactions, and long hours to log in, this won't be the game for you.”
“Unfortunately for me, there isn’t a lot to say in terms of replay value.”
- emotional11 mentions
- 91 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is polarizing; while some players find it rich with symbolism and capable of delivering a touching experience through its art and music, others criticize it for being vague and emotionally distant, lacking a genuine connection. Despite technical issues and a convoluted narrative, the game manages to evoke feelings, though opinions vary on its effectiveness in doing so. Overall, it offers moments of beauty and emotional thrill, but not all players feel satisfied with the depth of its storytelling.
“Really heartwarming.”
“Despite this, it is still heartfelt and rich with symbolism and the art style, albeit different than what you are used to seeing in a multimillion dollar project, still allows moments of beauty and atmosphere.”
“Toren is a very emotional and philosophical trip with beautiful music and art style.”
- character development8 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is primarily highlighted through its innovative and beautiful character designs, which are praised alongside the art and world design. While the overall narrative and character depth may not be the main focus, the aesthetic appeal of the characters contributes significantly to the game's immersive experience.
“The story, music, world, and character design are all fantastic.”
“Art design, world design, and character design are where Toren shines.”
“The music is beautiful, and the character design is nice.”
“Character designs feed into that, apart from one brusque fellow near the end who got lost on his way to a different game.”
“If you really, truly want to see all the pretty vistas and character designs at the expense of all else, then do what I did and buy this.”
“The character designs too were innovative.”
- grinding6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, with unresponsive controls that detract from the enjoyment of exploration and platforming. Many feel that the game artificially extends its length through these tedious mechanics, making the overall experience feel boring and unfulfilling.
“It is just boring, and a bit tedious to play.”
“The platforming and action/adventure type elements were all really unresponsive, tedious, and repetitive.”
“Many of the sections feel tedious for the sake of being tedious... it was as if these sections were meant to lengthen the game.”
- optimization6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is praised for its excellent optimization, running smoothly even on low-end PCs while delivering impressive graphics. However, there are mixed feelings regarding the optimization of certain aspects, suggesting that while performance is generally strong, some elements may not be as well-optimized as others.
“Very easy on the computer, very well optimized.”
“It is also well-optimized, meaning that low-end PCs will probably be able to support its best graphics.”
“That having been said, the design is fantastic, and clearly optimized.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is largely derived from its quirky bugs and the amusing pairing of music with gameplay, particularly during boss fights. Players found themselves laughing at unexpected glitches and the overall absurdity, which added a layer of entertainment despite the game's otherwise lackluster qualities.
“The pairing of the music and the boss fights is honestly kind of funny.”
“Or that it's buggy, including a set of hilarious bugs that saw me flying off a cliff at mach speed when I pushed a set of statues.”
“Throughout the whole game, you’re treated to a twin-stick shooter while a hilarious song plays in the background.”
Critic Reviews
Bite-sized beauty -- Toren review
Toren has great style and a compelling story to tell. Though it’s dragged down by its gameplay, it’s still far more than worth the asking price for the experience it offers.
80%Toren Review
It's a pity that this is just an average title, not only because it's clearly a labour of love, but mainly because many of its aspects are nothing but average. Beautiful to look at, with a magnificent musical score, and a distinct narrative style with a heavy focus in symbolism, which, although not flawless, is quite captivating. Is it worth a try? Actually, it's worth several, as long as those that will give it a shot can enjoy a video game that favours feelings over gameplay, and can stomach the fact that this is like a glimpse of something much grander. The rest can safely pass Toren by…
60%Toren Review – Once I Built a Tower to the Sun
Toren is an imaginative game with an interesting narrative and beautiful game world. For every moment of striking art or good design, however, there’s something wrong with the game technically or in terms of its moment to moment gameplay. Ultimately, like Moonchild herself, Toren would have benefitted from a bit more time in the tower, exploring its own design and ideas before rushing to the top. There’s very few things that are more ironic than a game that plays with the notion of time feeling incomplete.
50%
