Tower of Guns
- March 4, 2014
- Terrible Posture Games
- 5h median play time
Overall, Tower Of Guns is a stunning example of how old-school design is still relevant and fun in today’s industry.
"Tower of Guns" is a fast-paced, lunch-break compatible FPS with randomized elements for added replayability. Encounter random enemies, powerups, and bosses across unique levels, with tons of unlockable items and weapons at your disposal. Experience unexpected challenges and power-ups, such as controlling time or becoming a giant bouncing bullet. The game provides a full experience in single sittings, with the challenge of winning within a few hours.
Reviews
- Fast-paced, chaotic gameplay that combines FPS mechanics with roguelike elements, providing a unique and engaging experience.
- Randomly generated levels and a variety of weapons and power-ups ensure high replayability and keep each run feeling fresh.
- Humorous and quirky storyline elements add charm, making the game enjoyable beyond just the shooting mechanics.
- The sensitivity settings are poorly designed, making it frustrating to adjust controls during gameplay.
- Some enemies and weapons lack depth, leading to repetitive gameplay and a feeling of monotony over time.
- The game can be prone to performance issues, especially with many projectiles on screen, which can detract from the overall experience.
- gameplay66 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is a mixed bag, with some players praising its fast-paced, chaotic mechanics reminiscent of classic FPS titles, while others criticize it for being repetitive and lacking depth. Many enjoy the blend of roguelike elements and bullet hell shooter dynamics, but note that the experience can become monotonous after a few hours. Overall, the game offers engaging and humorous gameplay, though it may not satisfy those seeking a more varied or polished experience.
“This is an excellent game that combines the bouncy Unreal Tournament gameplay with what I can best describe as 'dancing around incoming projectiles.'”
“Fast, fun, comfortable, has a gorgeous aesthetic and clean mechanics.”
“The gameplay is fantastic in this game.”
“Boring and repetitive, the mechanics are very clunky and the whole experience feels very slapped together and unpolished.”
“Unfortunately, it is ruined by bland and repetitive gameplay, repetitive level design (even if randomly generated), and lack of depth.”
“Playing in single mode is really boring, and after some time, the game becomes annoying due to repetitive gameplay nature, poor weapon selection, and a huge amount of random enemies in every room.”
- story53 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 74 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The game's story is largely minimal and serves as a lighthearted backdrop to the fast-paced action, featuring randomly generated and often humorous plotlines for each playthrough. While some players appreciate the quirky dialogues and the charm of the simplistic narratives, others express a desire for a more substantial storyline, noting that the focus is primarily on gameplay rather than a deep narrative experience. Overall, the storytelling is seen as amusing but not essential, appealing mainly to those who enjoy a casual, action-oriented roguelite experience.
“I also enjoyed the funny, quirky different storylines.”
“Each playthrough also gives a randomly selected silly story for why you are climbing the Tower of Guns, and the story progresses as you go through the stages.”
“Not only that, it has a surprising amount of depth, from funny storylines to easter eggs and secrets.”
“If you're looking for a game with story and deep things, you will be dearly disappointed.”
“The plot is there because games require plot, but is nonsensical because who'd need plot for a game like this?”
“Each time you start a new game, you get a randomly selected storyline; they are amusing the first time you encounter each one, but they are all very basic and really just a fancy way of saying 'get to the top.'”
- graphics44 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the charming, stylized art reminiscent of titles like Borderlands, while others criticize the simplicity and lack of polish, especially for a game priced at €14. Some find the visuals appealing and fitting for the gameplay, noting a fun and engaging aesthetic, but others feel that the graphics could be improved to enhance the overall experience. Overall, the game's unique art style and clean design are highlighted as positives, though technical issues like floaty controls and collision detection detract from the visual experience.
“Awesome cell-shading art style.”
“Doused in crafty secrets and delightful visuals.”
“The graphics are very Borderlands-esque, with some comical relief dialogue in every playthrough.”
“It'd be okay if it was cheaper, but for €14, I expected a game that had more to offer than just the nostalgic art style.”
“However, pretty crap graphics for Unreal 3 standards and mediocre gunplay turn a great concept into a forgettable experience.”
“Graphics look strange, controls are floaty, and collision detection is wonky (the dev even makes an in-game remark about this, which leads me to believe they knew about it and never bothered to fix); the biggest flaw is the guns — they all feel the same, and that feel is not good at all.”
- music41 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its catchy and atmospheric qualities, enhancing the overall experience with a memorable soundtrack that complements the gameplay. However, some players note that the music can become repetitive over time, and there are mixed opinions on specific tracks, with a few being described as less fitting or even crackly at times. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a strong point, contributing significantly to the game's nostalgic and engaging atmosphere.
“My first game I played on the PlayStation 4 many years ago, still holds up as a wonderful game and a very nostalgic experience with a great soundtrack.”
“The very best roguelite FPS you'll ever play -- containing a memorable soundtrack that still pops in my head to this day even though I picked up this game three years ago.”
“The charismatically cartoony artwork, head-bobbingly catchy music, and general atmosphere make a satisfying game which becomes more engrossing once you unlock some of the more advanced perks and weaponry.”
“Only real negative I have is that the music is repetitive.”
“The gun sounds are muted and flaccid, and the music goes horribly crackly and distorted at certain times.”
“Ironically, the music is the weakest part, as the musician is the developer's brother.”
- humor34 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its quirky, goofy, and engaging nature, with players enjoying the randomized storylines and witty dialogue that add charm to the gameplay. Reviewers note that the humor complements the fast-paced, challenging FPS mechanics, making the experience entertaining and light-hearted without being overdone. Overall, the game's comedic elements are seen as a significant highlight, enhancing its replayability and appeal.
“Humor is on point and the gameplay is genuinely fun.”
“The game has a very goofy sense of humor, which mostly comes across in the variety of possible randomly selected stories each game can have.”
“The dialogue is hilariously goofy and changes every playthrough.”
- replayability25 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 28 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
Overall, the game exhibits a high level of replayability, largely due to its randomized levels, diverse weapon and power-up combinations, and engaging rogue-like elements. Many players appreciate the short, intense gameplay loops and the variety of challenges, although some feel that the replay value may not justify the price for all. While most reviews highlight the game's charm and endless fun, a few note limitations in replayability, suggesting a mixed experience depending on player expectations.
“Very short and insane game, probably one of the few single-player games that's actually replayable because for every time you start a new game, even if it's the same level, the design on the level changes.”
“It features huge replayability, trying all the guns and perks combinations and finding all the weapons in the game, getting to the top of the tower, finding all the secrets, beating the game on nightmare, getting all the Caketown bonuses, and of course, dice roll.”
“Extremely fun, challenging, and replayable; exactly what a game of this genre needs.”
“There isn't enough replayability to justify the price tag, even on sale, much less at full price.”
“This game is interesting; it's sort of hard, the dialogue is funny and creative, but the game isn't very replayable.”
“And in a game with a rogue-like style of gameplay, this means that it falls a little short in the area of replayability.”
- stability5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; it performs well on platforms like the Steam Deck and desktop, but struggles significantly on laptops. Players have reported various glitches, including undying enemies and movement issues, though many of these can be resolved with a character reset option. Experimenting with different modes may lead to more severe, game-breaking glitches.
“Runs great on Steam Deck.”
“Runs great on my desktop.”
“I've come across a few glitches, such as undying enemies and getting stuck in walls. While the character reset option helps, it's still frustrating.”
“If you mess around with some of the different modes, it's really easy to run into game-ending glitches.”
“I encountered a couple of glitches where I couldn't move at all.”
- atmosphere5 mentions
- 80 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is praised for its haunting elements, beautiful art style, and engaging music, creating an immersive experience. Players appreciate the combination of satisfying weapon mechanics, varied enemies, and a witty plot that enhances the overall ambiance. The cartoony artwork and catchy soundtrack contribute to a captivating and engrossing gameplay experience.
“Beautiful art style, simple and familiar mechanics, logical gameplay, witty engaging plots, atmospheric music, and of course plenty of action.”
“The charismatically cartoony artwork, head-bobbingly catchy music, and general atmosphere make a satisfying game which becomes more engrossing once you unlock some of the more advanced perks and weaponry.”
“Doom had incredibly satisfying weapons and varied enemies with cool death animations, as well as a haunting atmosphere (at least for the time).”
- emotional3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a sense of joy and excitement, as players experience a fun and wholesome adventure that emphasizes mobility and freedom. The thrill of soaring through levels and overcoming challenges without touching the ground creates a euphoric and uplifting gameplay experience.
- grinding3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding in the game to be tedious and repetitive, often feeling like they are stuck in a loop of the same tasks. Many express frustration over the necessity of grinding to unlock weapons and content, which detracts from the overall enjoyment.
“Most of the time, though, it's just tedious.”
“There's just not much to do in this game, and it quickly feels like you are grinding and doing the same things over and over.”
“The guns and the enemies do get quite repetitive after a while, and I personally dislike how they hide away weapons and other content behind pointless grinding.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
While the game runs smoothly with frame rates exceeding 60 and no noticeable stuttering, some players report experiencing nausea after extended play sessions, indicating potential issues with visual comfort despite solid optimization.
“I get smooth frames, well over 60, no stuttering or anything to that effect, and yet after usually about 20 minutes or so, I become nauseated to the point that I have to stop.”
Critic Reviews
Tower Of Guns Review
There's no doubt that Tower of Guns will be a game that you either love or hate. An interesting take on the FPS genre, the game feels like a cross between a more traditional shooter and a gameshow. It lacks polish in places and desperately wants for more game modes or something to extend the amount of provided game time beyond beating your best score or run, but there's potential here that the developers could – and should - build on in the future.
60%Tower of Guns Review
Tower of Guns is an experience that wears thin after a while, being best played in short bursts. It is an interesting experiment that should be further explored by Terrible Posture Games. Ideas and potential are not enough, however, to make a game compelling - they need thoughtful execution and variety. Fact of the matter is that randomly generated levels just aren't a graceful solution to make variety and, ultimately, the level design (or lack of) ends up being too similar and boring. To make up for the randomised level designs, the core gameplay would need to be expanded upon and less limits put on player-character actions. Tower of Guns is a title that is best for only the curious and the desperate for something new and different.
60%Tower of Guns PS4 Review
A shamelessly hardcore FPS, Tower of Guns places a premium on player skill over the linear, big-budget Hollywood narratives that we’re used to.
75%