Tower Song
- July 31, 2023
- Ishin Iwasaki
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Get on itch.io Store"Tower Song" is a single-player Fantasy Turn-Based Strategy game that combines Classic JRPG and CRPG genres of the 1990s. The game features a unique mixture of deliberate turn-based combat and colorful pixel-art worlds. Players must choose heroes with unique battle mechanics, explore different areas of the world, and recruit powerful allies to liberate them from a naga invasion. Every encounter is unique, with deadly foes executing strategic attacks, making Tower Song a challenging and engaging 10-hour campaign.
Mac OS
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The combat system is engaging and features unique mechanics for each character, making battles feel dynamic and strategic.
- The game has a well-developed world with interesting lore, and the art and music contribute to a nostalgic yet fresh experience.
- There is great replay value due to the ability to choose different characters, leading to varied dialogue and gameplay experiences.
- The initial difficulty can be overwhelming, with players being thrown into challenging encounters right from the start.
- Some dialogue can feel overly detailed, making it a bit hard to digest the information presented.
- The mouse controls are serviceable but could use improvement compared to the controller input.
- story26 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The game's story is praised for its intriguing universe and engaging characters, with players appreciating the depth of the narrative and world-building. While some find the plot a bit lean, many express excitement for future developments and enjoy the interactive elements that require attention to detail. Overall, the storytelling is seen as a strong aspect, complementing the dynamic combat and gameplay experience.
“I really got hooked on the story and wanted to continue advancing to uncover more!”
“The story so far has been interesting, and leaves me wanting more - I can't wait to get more time to dig in and see where things go!”
“You gotta figure things out yourself, be it story, combat, or puzzles.”
“The game is designed so leveling up comes through passing certain story thresholds.”
“The story's only just begun, but it's plain to see that this is a world with a great deal of thought put into it.”
- music19 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The music in Tower Song is widely praised for its quality and ability to enhance the gaming experience, with many players highlighting its immersive and nostalgic qualities reminiscent of classic RPGs. While some noted minor issues with sound design and mixing, the overall soundtrack, including standout tracks like the boss music, received high acclaim, contributing significantly to the game's atmosphere and enjoyment. Players expressed a strong desire for an official soundtrack release, underscoring the music's impact on their experience.
“One of my favorite things about playing video games is the music and how it helps immerse you in the world... really well done!”
“The music and art really set the game apart and make it a cool experience.”
“Kudos to the soundtrack, honestly one of the few games I've played where I haven't had to turn off the music.”
“Both the art style and music are probably my favorite things so far about it.”
- gameplay14 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a complex world and solid writing, featuring unique combat mechanics for each character that promote strategic engagement without the need for grinding or excessive guidance. Players appreciate the distinct abilities and resource mechanics of party members, which create a fresh and dynamic combat experience reminiscent of classic PS2-era JRPGs. The game encourages replayability through different character choices, enhancing the overall enjoyment of both gameplay and story.
“Each of the party members has their own unique resource mechanic and totally distinct abilities.”
“It has very easy to understand mechanics that nevertheless allow for a great amount of strategy and engagement with the combat.”
“Though a traditional JRPG in many ways, it has unique mechanics for every single party member; from a sniper who needs to reload between high damage shots, to a street fighter who builds up 'combo' with his attacks to unleash a devastating finisher.”
“You're immediately thrown into the action, introducing pairs of heroes and the different mechanics that they bring to each fight.”
“I've died to wolves 3 times but you can be strategic with your turns and the encounters vary with the intention mechanic.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are praised for their vibrant visuals and nostalgic sprite style, reminiscent of classic RPGs. Reviewers particularly appreciate the art style and how well it complements the overall aesthetics, alongside the fantastic music, enhancing the gaming experience. Overall, the visuals contribute significantly to the game's charm and appeal.
“A fun game with some great visuals.”
“I really like the art style.”
“Both the art style and music are probably my favorite things so far about it.”
- grinding3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
Reviews highlight that the game features no grinding, as level-ups are tied to specific story milestones, making grinding unnecessary. This design choice, combined with a concise campaign, is appreciated for respecting players' time while allowing for a rich narrative and unique combat mechanics.
“Which is just as well because level-ups only happen after certain story beats, so grinding would be rather pointless anyways.”
“The audio is top notch (the boss music is a true banger); the lack of grinding and the short campaign really respects players' time.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game offers solid replayability through multiple routes and the option to choose different characters, enhancing the overall experience and encouraging players to explore various storylines.
“It's a solid experience with a few routes for great replay value.”
“It's nice to be able to choose which character you would like to play through the story with, which adds to the replayability.”
- character development2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The character development in the game is enhanced by inventive design and a well-tuned combat system, which keeps encounters engaging and focused. Unique character kits, such as Solace's smart rifle abilities, add depth and freshness, while the experimental electronic music complements the overall experience.
“The combat system combined with the inventive character design makes for encounters that are always engaging each turn. The modern amenities, like the lack of truly random encounters (fights are started by sprites with vision cones) and end-of-combat party healing, keep the game focused on the parts that really count.”
“On top of the well-tuned combat, the character design and music are also super refreshing. Certain tunes take on a more experimental electronic vibe, and characters like Solace feature a kit built around smart rifle use that I really like. I have a soft spot for fantasy gunslingers that break the standard pistol duelist archetype.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by a cozy, nostalgic feel, enhanced by impressive attack animations that elevate the intensity of encounters.
“It feels like a cozy game I've played in the past; the flow is so nostalgic, with some really insane attack animations that add a lot to the atmosphere of each encounter.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted through witty dialogue and playful interactions, particularly the "do you want to proceed?" prompts, which add a lighthearted touch to exploration and decision-making. Players appreciate this blend of humor and gameplay mechanics, enhancing their overall experience.
“The dialogue can be quite funny, and I enjoy exploring. The 'Do you want to proceed?' prompt is a nice touch, as it lets me know when to keep exploring before committing to a new area.”
“The humor in the game is cleverly woven into the dialogue, making even the simplest interactions entertaining.”
“I love how the game uses humor to lighten the mood, with witty one-liners and playful banter that keeps me engaged.”
