Tower of Shades

About

"Tower of Shades" is a short game that starts with a challenging final boss fight, where death allows you to learn new skills. The story unfolds through a mysterious saved file, aiming to inspire self-improvement, all set to an old school SNES-themed soundtrack.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

79%

Audience ScoreBased on 24 reviews

emotional2 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

The art style, music, and overall feel of the game are superb, creating an enjoyable atmosphere.
The game delivers a positive and inspirational message about perseverance and self-belief.
It's a short experience that, while minimal in gameplay, can be engaging and thought-provoking for those who appreciate narrative-driven content.

The gameplay is minimal and feels more like an interactive visual novel than a traditional RPG, which may disappoint those expecting a deeper gaming experience.
There is a lack of options for adjusting audio and controls, which can detract from the overall user experience.
The message can come off as heavy-handed and blunt, potentially undermining its impact for some players.

story
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
45%
27%
The story is primarily delivered through cutscenes and text, resembling an interactive visual novel rather than a traditional narrative, which some players found engaging while others felt it lacked depth and coherence. The linear structure allows for a straightforward progression, but once completed, its replay value may be limited. Overall, while the story has its charm and offers a wholesome message, it may not resonate with everyone due to its experimental approach and perceived contradictions.
- “It felt more like watching a movie or a story, or even somewhat like an interactive visual novel.”
- “Each time you do, you learn a little better how to defeat them and unlock more abilities and story fragments.”
- “This is a fun little game that manages to deliver a nice little story with nothing but a few pictures; the narration is almost entirely separate from the story.”
- “The battles are basically a puzzle; the story is delivered by cutscenes and text.”
- “It felt more like watching a movie or story, or even somewhat like an interactive visual novel.”
- “The story is largely linear, and once you've been through it once, I'm unsure how much appeal it will have outside perhaps re-experiencing it or sharing it with others.”
gameplay
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
33%
50%
The gameplay is described as minimal and lacking interactivity, functioning more as an artistic experience than a traditional game. While the combat puzzles offer a moderate challenge, the overall experience feels shallow, with a brief boss fight and extended moralizing that detracts from engagement. Players may find the mechanics underdeveloped, particularly the concept of death as progression.
- “The actual gameplay is a set of combat puzzles that are not too difficult, but not trivial either.”
- “This works as a jam game, but word to the wise who tries to make an artsy meaningful game - let the mechanic speak for the experience you are trying to take your players through.”
- “"Experience" is probably a better word than "game". There's not so much gameplay as an element of interactivity as a means of communicating the theme. It's otherwise probably better contemplated as something akin to a movie rental.”
- “I think a lot can be done with the idea that deaths are progression, but that mechanic was underdeveloped.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its wholesome narrative, which resonates positively with players, though some express skepticism about its simplicity. Overall, the story evokes a sense of warmth and positivity, despite differing opinions on its depth.
- “A good wholesome story.”
graphics
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's graphics are praised for their superb art style and overall aesthetic, contributing to an immersive experience enhanced by the accompanying music.
- “The art style, music, and overall feel of the game are superb in my opinion.”
music
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music in the game is highly praised, contributing significantly to its superb art style and overall atmosphere, enhancing the player's experience.
- “The art style, music, and overall feel of the game are superb in my opinion.”