Tower Escape
- February 15, 2023
- SlightlyMadman
- 9h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"Tower Escape" is a reverse tower defense game where you guide a team of minions through treasure-filled mazes to escape the tower. Use strategy and puzzle-solving skills to overcome obstacles, collect powerful gems and relics, and transform gameplay in this unique twist on the genre. As you plan your escape, summon your armies back from the dead and avoid the elf's defenses to emerge victorious.
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Reviews
- Tower Escape offers a unique twist on the tower defense genre, combining elements of roguelike gameplay with strategic decision-making.
- The pixel art and soundtrack are charming, enhancing the nostalgic feel of the game while providing an engaging atmosphere.
- The game features a variety of minions and synergies, allowing for different strategies and replayability, making it enjoyable for casual and strategic players alike.
- The game can feel repetitive and lacks depth, with some players finding the mechanics tedious and the gameplay becoming boring over time.
- There are concerns about the reliance on RNG, which can lead to frustrating experiences where runs feel unfair or unmanageable.
- Some players have expressed disappointment with the lack of content and variety, feeling that the game could benefit from more enemy types, levels, and gameplay modes.
- gameplay90 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Tower Escape" is praised for its innovative blend of tower defense and roguelike mechanics, offering a fresh and engaging experience that challenges players with strategic depth and a dynamic gameplay loop. While some players find the mechanics limited or repetitive after extended play, many appreciate the charming visuals, exceptional soundtrack, and the potential for future content updates. Overall, the game is recognized for its addictive nature and unique approach, making it a standout title in its genre.
“Tower escape is a captivating game that masterfully blends tower defense mechanics with roguelike elements, creating an experience that is both intensely stressful and immensely enjoyable.”
“With an immediately engaging gameplay loop and multiple layers of modular difficulty in its game modes and starting clans, along with a graceful learning curve of steadily increasing game mechanics, this game can cycle back and forth between mindless arcade fun and a strategic and tactical challenge.”
“With the easy to learn but difficult to master gameplay and unique style, as well as procedural level generation every time you play, this game offers a unique blend of classic snake and tower defense games that is sure to please fans of both!”
“The game mechanics were too annoying to manage, I guess.”
“A game with an interesting premise but with an unfortunate lack of content; fairly repetitive gameplay.”
“I dearly wish there was more meat to the gameplay, but as it stands, it's fairly shallow.”
- music62 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its catchy chiptune style, reminiscent of classic NES soundtracks, which enhances the overall gameplay experience and atmosphere. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, noting its ability to evoke nostalgia while perfectly complementing the game's pixel art and engaging mechanics. Many express a desire for more music, indicating that the soundtrack is not only enjoyable but also memorable and integral to the game's charm.
“One of the standout features of Tower Escape is its soundtrack, which is nothing short of outstanding.”
“The music sets the mood perfectly, enhancing the tension of the gameplay while also adding a unique charm to the overall experience.”
“The game's retro aesthetic is lovingly crafted, with charming pixel art and a catchy chiptune soundtrack that perfectly captures the spirit of classic tower defense games.”
“Not entirely sure if I would have been moved to write a positive review of the game (for anything other than the bopping soundtrack, at least) but simply deleting the previous negative review didn't seem right either, especially since the developer took the time to chime in.”
“The soundtrack immerses you in this little pixelated gem and before you know it, you find yourself in this old trap that you said to yourself you wouldn't step in anymore.”
“-wanting more music”
- graphics34 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Tower Escape" are characterized by a charming, retro aesthetic that evokes nostalgia for classic games, featuring pixel art and a simplistic design that many players find appealing. While some reviewers note that the visuals could be improved, the overall old-school style, combined with an engaging soundtrack, enhances the game's quirky atmosphere and replayability. The art style is described as cute and fitting, contributing positively to the overall gaming experience.
“The visuals in Tower Escape are a delightful throwback to classic games, with a charming, old-school aesthetic that adds a layer of nostalgia to the experience.”
“The game's retro aesthetic is lovingly crafted, with charming pixel art and a catchy chiptune soundtrack that perfectly captures the spirit of classic tower defense games.”
“There is a lot to like about this game for sure; the music and graphics are nice if you like that old-school aesthetic to your games, and I definitely do.”
“It would be really easy to sleep on this game, because it appears simple and doesn't have a flashy or stylish aesthetic.”
“Graphics are basic but I don't mind that.”
“Graphics are neat as well.”
- replayability22 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The game offers a mixed bag of replayability, with some players praising its cute graphics, strategic options, and unlockables that encourage multiple playthroughs. However, others note a lack of variety in levels and limited deckbuilding options, which can lead to monotony after several hours of gameplay. Overall, while there is potential for replayability, enhancements such as more diverse levels and modifiers could significantly improve the experience.
“Super replayable and nice option of different strategies.”
“Fun little thing with lots of replayability, cute graphics and very easy to play while doing something else or if I don't feel like doing much. I love how some of the little characters have very normal human names; it adds a lot of personality, especially when I can name them myself (wish they were permanent though, it would be nice to see a nickname next to the actual one that stays forever).”
“Lots of unlockables and replayability, the devs support it with constant updates, and it works great on Linux, too.”
“That said, I don't think there is a lot of replayability (at least not yet 'March 2023'). Again, I still think it's worth the money, but it would be nice if there was a little more to it; all the levels are essentially the same.”
“Where the game stands, it's fun but lacks replayability due to its limited deckbuilding options, and there isn't anything to break up the monotony of watching monsters travel from floor to floor.”
“The main thing I'd say is adding a bit of variety to levels, modifiers, and the like could help out a lot to make the game replayable.”
- grinding10 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and time-consuming, with many expressing frustration over the lengthy process required to achieve permanent upgrades. While the game has its merits, the excessive grind detracts from the overall enjoyment, leading some to consider abandoning it before completion.
“A bit too grindy to finish the permanent upgrades, and I may put it down before getting through them all.”
“Upgrades take a long time; there are permanent upgrades as well (the grindy part).”
“Game is not bad, but very grindy.”
- story8 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The game's story is considered mediocre and largely irrelevant, with some players finding its political themes unnecessary and disconnected from gameplay. The narrative is minimal, often reduced to a brief animation and scrolling text, leading many to feel that the game would be better off without a story altogether.
“The game is mediocre and has weird politics in it that serve no gameplay or story purpose.”
“There's seemingly a story element tied to the difficulty, but I can't be bothered to understand it because it boils down to a single animation and some scrolling text at the beginning of the run.”
“This game doesn't need a story.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is notably enhanced by a memorable soundtrack that receives high praise, contributing to a cohesive experience alongside its graphics and quirky humor. Overall, these elements work harmoniously to create an engaging and immersive environment.
“It's the kind of soundtrack that sticks with you, worthy of praise and recognition, and it significantly elevates the game's atmosphere.”
“Graphics, soundtrack, atmosphere, and a positively quirky sense of humor come together beautifully.”
“The combination of graphics, soundtrack, and atmosphere creates an immersive experience that draws you in.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's humor is characterized by a quirky and lighthearted tone, enhanced by amusing character names like "Zombaby" and "Imhotep," which contribute to its overall cheerful atmosphere. Players appreciate how this humor complements the graphics and soundtrack, creating an enjoyable experience.
“Graphics, soundtrack, atmosphere, and a positively quirky sense of humor come well together.”
“I especially like the names because Zombaby and Scott can exist on the same team as Frank, Death Knight, and Imhotep; it adds a funny giggle factor to the already relatively happy game.”
- stability4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players have reported significant stability issues in the full game, citing numerous bugs and glitches, particularly with the user interface, which contrasts sharply with their smooth experience during the demo.
“I loved the demo; the game seems fun enough, but it's a shame the UI is buggy as hell in the full game.”
“I didn't have a single problem with the demo, but in the full game, it's full of bugs and glitches.”
“I loved the demo; the game seems fun enough, but it's a shame the UI is buggy as hell in the full game.”
