Tower of Winter

About

"Tower of Winter" is a text-based roguelike RPG set in a dark, haunting fantasy world. The game boasts phenomenal story and gameplay, as well as wonderful graphics and amazing music. Despite being very grinding with occasional annoying ads, the awesome atmosphere and high replayability make it a must-play for adventure game fans.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

74%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,460 reviews

story105 positive mentions

monetization202 negative mentions

The game features great artwork and an engaging story that keeps players invested.
The combat mechanics are fun and challenging, requiring strategic thinking and planning.
The game offers a unique text-based RPG experience with a variety of skills and traits to explore.

Most of the content, including additional characters and scenarios, is locked behind a paywall, making it difficult for free-to-play users to progress.
The game heavily relies on RNG, which can lead to frustrating experiences when trying to build effective character traits.
There is no way to earn in-game currency through gameplay, forcing players to watch ads or spend real money to unlock content.

monetization
231 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
6%
87%
The monetization model of the game has received significant criticism for being overly reliant on ads and microtransactions, with players expressing frustration over the limited ways to earn in-game currency (gems) primarily through watching ads. Many users report that unlocking additional characters and content requires watching an excessive number of ads or spending substantial amounts of real money, leading to a grindy experience that detracts from overall enjoyment. While some appreciate the option to earn gems through ads, the consensus is that the system feels predatory and limits the game's potential, making it difficult for free-to-play users to progress without significant time investment or financial expenditure.
- “Little to no ads and haven't had to pay for a thing.”
- “Though you can use microtransactions, it isn't a pay-to-win game.”
- “The game is entertaining, and if it had a premium version of it like offline, no ads, double gem rewards, gem rewards for finishing a run; I'd buy it in a heartbeat.”
- “The monetization is so intense it blocks 80% of the game.”
- “The only way to acquire more gems is to pay money or watch ads.”
- “Giving it a 3 because can't unlock all the content without either spending $80+ or watching around 8 hours of ads.”
story
222 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
50%
3%
The game's story is generally praised for its engaging narrative and character backstories, with many players appreciating the art and immersive world-building. However, there are significant criticisms regarding the limited access to multiple storylines and characters, which are often locked behind paywalls, leading to frustration among free-to-play users. While some find the story enjoyable and well-crafted, others feel it lacks depth and variety, making the gameplay repetitive after completing the initial content.
- “The story and mystery are incredibly well done, especially with the side stories that flesh out each character's backstory.”
- “The story is very interesting and fun; the traits are really engaging, and I enjoy it a lot!”
- “The art design and well-written story make this an amazing experience, with a unique twist on the roguelike formula that keeps me coming back for more.”
- “The game design and concept is really nice, but it's so bland in-game with little story, the same interaction over and over.”
- “The game itself is good and fun, but it's more like a game that can only be played once until you finish the story, because the other story and characters are locked, and the only method to unlock them is by spending money.”
- “The core gameplay is fun, but all other characters are behind paywalls; you cannot play any other character or quest without cash.”
gameplay
160 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
43%
3%
The gameplay of the game is generally well-received, with many players praising its engaging mechanics, addictive nature, and beautiful art style. However, some criticisms arise regarding the combat's fairness, the high difficulty level, and the limitations imposed by paywalls for additional characters and content. Overall, while the gameplay offers a fun and challenging experience, it is marred by issues related to balance and monetization.
- “I look forward to the addition of more stories with this gameplay because the gameplay is addicting!”
- “The gameplay is simple, and not difficult to intuit, and anything that is difficult to intuit is usually explained.”
- “The gameplay is fun, the music is sweet~ you should try it~.”
- “The combat is fairly shallow, and not exactly fair to the strategic mechanics that it places in front of you.”
- “Repetitive gameplay with the same enemies, same patterns, same bosses.”
- “The gameplay was decent, but you barely get stronger after putting hours into the game.”
graphics
58 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
76%
19%
5%
The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their stunning artwork and charming art style, contributing significantly to the overall atmosphere and engagement of the gameplay. Many users highlight the quality of character designs and the immersive visuals, which enhance the storytelling and combat experience. While some mention minor animation issues and a need for polishing, the consensus is that the graphics are a standout feature that elevates the game.
- “As others have said, the artwork and atmosphere are absolutely top notch.”
- “Beautiful graphics and fun gameplay.”
- “Amazing graphics, amazing storytelling, and amazing game mechanics.”
- “I was very into this only to find it gets crazy slow suddenly, odd since this is not graphics intensive.”
- “I encountered a very peculiar bug that makes the sound and music can't be turned off, and a looping and overlapping folk song is constantly playing for no reason?!”
- “Graphics and interface are solid.”
replayability
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
39%
13%
Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag; while many players appreciate the variety of traits, moves, and random encounters that enhance replay value, others express frustration over locked characters and the need for grinding or spending money to access content. Some users find the game endlessly replayable and fun, while others feel it lacks sufficient goals or rewards to maintain long-term engagement. Improvements in character accessibility and additional content could significantly boost replayability for many players.
- “Great replayability and not a penny spent unless wanted to.”
- “It's so replayable because of all the traits and moves you can use, and the different events that can happen. I just wish we could access more characters and a way to earn diamonds, but I still love this game for how fun it is.”
- “Endless replayability.”
- “I'm quickly reaching the end of the game's replayability as there do not seem to be further reasonable goals to work toward.”
- “There is little replay value because it is either mindless advert consumption or my wallet to be able to get the other characters.”
- “Zero replayability, characters locked behind a paywall, no way to earn in-game currency.”
music
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
40%
15%
The music in the game is generally praised for enhancing the atmosphere and complementing the artwork, with many players finding it engaging and enjoyable. However, some users have reported issues with a persistent bug that causes the music to loop uncontrollably, detracting from their experience. Overall, while the soundtrack is appreciated, there are calls for improvements in its functionality and volume control.
- “The music helps the atmosphere, and the art is really well done.”
- “Fantastic artwork, interesting narrative, engaging combat system, and a great soundtrack keep me coming back to this game.”
- “It's fun, it has good storytelling, lovely ambient music, and an interesting combat system.”
- “I encountered a very peculiar bug that makes the sound and music can't be turned off, and a looping and overlapping folk song is constantly playing for no reason!”
- “I like the game, but this is very annoying. I am forced to listen to this music and I can't turn it off. I want to listen to some tunes and slay the monsters, but it's too loud.”
- “Let me turn off this music.”
grinding
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and often frustrating, particularly due to the reliance on ads or real money to unlock content and characters. While some enjoy the challenge and replay value, many feel that the grind becomes excessive, especially when failed runs yield no rewards and progression feels locked behind paywalls. Overall, the game is seen as fun but heavily reliant on grinding, which can detract from the overall experience.
- “The grind to unlock literally anything else gets incredibly tedious very, very quickly, and with runs that feel like they last a good while, failed runs feel like a huge waste of time with zero gain.”
- “Very grindy game through playing and watching a lot of ads unless you pay up.”
- “Great game the art is amazing the story is ok but it's so grindy to get a new character.”
atmosphere
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
21%
21%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its exceptional artwork, immersive music, and compelling storytelling, drawing comparisons to titles like Darkest Dungeon and Dark Souls. Players appreciate the unique character designs and the overall engaging ambiance, which enhances the gameplay experience. However, some users have reported technical issues, such as sound bugs, that detract from the otherwise stellar atmosphere.
- “As others have said, the artwork and atmosphere are absolutely top notch.”
- “The atmosphere it creates with its drawings, character models, and writing is also worth noting.”
- “This game is atmospheric, interesting, difficult, and exciting.”
- “I've spent quite a lot and had a lot of fun trying the varieties of the builds; I would easily give a 5-star rating for the artwork and the atmosphere, but I encountered a very peculiar bug that makes the sound and music unable to be turned off, and a looping and overlapping folk song is constantly playing for no reason!”
- “I am just starting and I am liking the visuals and atmosphere, though I am a bit confused as to why I didn't receive any of the 'currency' even though I pre-registered, but I like the concept and the game overall.”
- “Tower of Winter makes me think of a Darkest Dungeon-like atmosphere.”
character development
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
25%
38%
Overall, players appreciate the character designs and the depth of the combat system, highlighting the engaging lore and self-determined character development through a variety of options. However, there are concerns about the in-game currency system, which can hinder access to additional characters and storylines. The game's unique atmosphere and creativity in character design are praised, but some players feel that the online aspect is unnecessary.
- “Character development is self-determined, with three option cards, providing a large variety in the deck.”
- “The art and character designs are terrific; the text and attack descriptions show a level of effort that exceeded my expectations.”
- “This is the type of text-based RPG that I want; it has some lore, and the actual gameplay is godlike. The skills, character design, and playable characters are all outstanding.”
- “Character development is self-determined, with three option cards, with a large variety in the deck.”
- “My advice, go for character designer, and explore more storyboard.”
- “Interesting game with a unique atmosphere and creative enemy and character designs, however I want to add that this game is online despite having no reason to be.”
stability
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
86%
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with users reporting frequent freezing issues and glitches that disrupt gameplay, often resulting in lost progress. While some players enjoy the experience, the technical problems, particularly during combat and with connectivity, detract from overall enjoyment.
- “No glitches as of yet.”
- “The game runs smoothly without any crashes.”
- “I've experienced consistent performance throughout my playtime.”
- “The game freezes at some point and upon exit your progress isn't saved, forcing you to start all over.”
- “Every time I open the game, it freezes after 2 minutes and doesn't let me do anything; all I can do is listen to its music or close the game.”
- “Encountered screen freezes before 5 minutes.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The humor in the game is appreciated, particularly during combat where effective combos can lead to amusing moments. However, some players express frustration over the monetization system, which requires gems to unlock different characters and stories, potentially detracting from the overall experience.
- “The fights are entertaining and can be quite funny, especially when you pull off some good combos!”
- “The humor in the game adds a delightful twist to the gameplay, making even the battles enjoyable.”
- “I love how the game incorporates humor into its mechanics, making every encounter a fun experience!”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players report that despite the turn-based nature of the game, it effectively immerses them in intense and emotionally charged battles, creating a sense of epic engagement.
- “It may be turn-based, but it made me feel like I was in an epic battle.”
- “The story pulled at my heartstrings and left me in tears.”
- “I felt a deep connection to the characters, their struggles resonated with my own experiences.”