November 20, 2017
Nitrome

Tower Fortress

Tower Fortress is a fairly straightforward game that can be finished quickly, but the number of variables could very well be a draw for those looking for more. Those that don’t mind running through the same types of areas multiple times may dig it, but don’t be surprised if things start to run together after a while.

89%Game Brain Score

gameplay, graphics

story, grinding

95% User Score Based on 114 reviews

Critic Score 60%Based on 1 reviews

Platforms

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About

Tower Fortress is a single player arcade action adventure game. It was developed by Nitrome and was released on November 20, 2017. It received neutral reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

Tower Fortress is a procedurally generated platformer game where you battle through levels filled with enemies, traps, and bosses. Players must climb the ever-changing tower, upgrading their character and avoiding permadeath to reach the top. With pixel art graphics and challenging gameplay, Tower Fortress offers a nostalgic yet fresh arcade experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 114 reviews

gameplay12 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

Addictive and fun gameplay with a variety of suits and mechanics that enhance replayability.
Great pixel art and nostalgic charm, reminiscent of classic Nitrome games.
Challenging yet rewarding, providing a sense of progression and satisfaction as players unlock new suits and defeat bosses.

Some level designs can feel random and frustrating, leading to unavoidable hits.
The game can become grindy, especially for completionists trying to unlock all suits.
Minor bugs and glitches can detract from the overall experience, making some gameplay aspects feel unpolished.

gameplay
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
46%
11%
The gameplay is characterized by its simple yet addictive mechanics, reminiscent of classic titles like Mega Man and Downwell, featuring various suits with unique skills and a solid upgrade system. While the pixel art and retro style are praised, some players express concerns about the grind for new suits and the lack of control customization options. Overall, the game offers enjoyable mechanics and a casual experience, though some feel it could benefit from additional content and refinements.
- “A simple good game with solid mechanics and many upgrades/perks to create various builds that suit your style.”
- “Great pixel graphics, bouncy dungeon style music, and cool gameplay.”
- “The game itself is amazingly simple and the mechanics intuitive.”
- “I really don't like how expensive some of the suits are, since they'll be really hard to grind, and were probably added since the gameplay itself is bland.”
- “It definitely has the retro style and gameplay but to me it was too... narrow... literally.”
- “There are minor gameplay differences between this and Downwell in terms of how upgrades work, but there are not enough differences to really make it stand out.”
graphics
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
50%
21%
The graphics of the game are generally praised for their quality, with many users noting that they surpass those of most other titles available on the Android store. The pixel art style and cartoonish visuals contribute to a charming aesthetic, complemented by engaging gameplay and sound design. However, some players feel that the simplistic appearance may lead to the game being overlooked despite its strong graphical presentation.
- “The graphics and gameplay are well beyond most games available in the Android store.”
- “Great pixel graphics, bouncy dungeon style music, and cool gameplay.”
- “The graphics are great, the sounds are fantastic, and the music is pretty okay.”
- “We would've paid $50 for this with half the graphics capability.”
- “Tower Fortress is one of those games that's easy to overlook due to its simplistic appearance and cartoonish visuals.”
- “The graphics and gameplay are well beyond most games available in the Android store, but I also don't download games that have in-app purchases.”
replayability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
Players highlight the game's strong replayability, noting the impressive variety and utility of pickups, as well as the ability to collect gems from defeated enemies to purchase upgraded suits for their hero. This system encourages repeated playthroughs and enhances the overall experience.
- “The variety and utility of these pickups is impressive, and really adds a lot of replay value.”
- “Speaking of replay value, all the enemies drop gems that can be gathered and used to purchase upgraded new suits for your hero.”
- “Good replayability”
music
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players finding it merely "okay" while others appreciate the bouncy dungeon-style tracks. Overall, it seems to complement the gameplay but may benefit from additional content, such as an OST DLC.
- “Great pixel graphics, bouncy dungeon style music, and cool gameplay.”
- “4/10 - The game could really benefit from an original soundtrack DLC for no reason whatsoever.”
- “4/10 - The game could really benefit from an original soundtrack DLC for no reason whatsoever.”
story
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
75%
The story is described as simple and lacking complexity, making it suitable for casual play without requiring deep focus. Players appreciate its straightforwardness, allowing for enjoyable, mindless gaming experiences.
- “The story is overly simplistic and lacks depth, making it feel like a mindless experience.”
- “There is no complex plot or clear goal, which detracts from the overall engagement of the game.”
- “The narrative feels shallow and uninspired, leaving players wanting more substance.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Many players, particularly completionists, find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessive and monotonous, leading to a loss of enjoyment over time.
- “As a completionist, I kept playing it, but it became too grindy and boring.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game suffers from numerous glitches related to physics and hit detection, significantly impacting its playability and overall stability.
- “There are a lot of glitches with the physics and hitbox which make the game kind of unplayable.”
- “There are a lot of glitches with the physics and hitbox which make the game kind of unplayable.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find humor in the game's glitches, particularly when it crashes after reaching a million gems, which adds an unexpected comedic element to their experience.
- “I reached a million gems, and the game didn't like that, so it completely crashes when I win or die, which I find very funny.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Users express a strong aversion to in-app purchases, despite acknowledging the game's superior graphics and gameplay compared to other titles in the Android store. This sentiment suggests that monetization through in-app purchases may deter potential players.
- “The graphics and gameplay are well beyond most games available in the Android store, but I also don't download games that have in-app purchases.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The reviews indicate that the optimization of Tower Fortress is not a primary concern for the developers, as their future decisions regarding the platform will not be influenced by this game's performance. They are already focused on other projects, suggesting a level of independence from the optimization outcomes of Tower Fortress.