Towerborne

Towerborne PC is a side-scrolling action RPG brawler from Stoic and Xbox Game Studios Publishing. The current storefront version is still named Towerborne, but its business model has changed substantially from the earlier Early Access and Game Preview version: it is now a premium, buy-once game with offline solo play, optional online co-op, and no ongoing cosmetic microtransactions.

Side-scrolling combat with RPG depth

Towerborne combines the readable positioning of a beat 'em up with the progression systems of a modern action RPG. The camera stays in a side-on perspective while players move through combat encounters, story missions, map activities, and challenge content across the world of Eld.

The combat loop is built around 8-way dodges and rolls, combo strings, multiple combo paths, and distinct combo enders. Attacks are designed to flow into movement, allowing players to control space, avoid incoming damage, launch enemies, and maintain pressure instead of simply repeating a basic attack.

Each class has a dedicated weapon identity and a different approach to close-quarters combat. The Sentinel uses Sword and Shield to block, parry, build Valor, and switch between defense and offense. The Pyroclast uses a Warclub and the Sear ability to ignite attacks and apply Burn. The Rockbreaker fights with Gauntlets, charging powerful Focus Skills such as Powderkeg Punch, while the Shadowstriker uses Dual Daggers and Shadow Feint to create a faster, more evasive style.

Players can change classes freely between missions, which makes experimentation less restrictive than in a traditional character-locked RPG. Instead of committing to one hero for an entire campaign, you can refine a build, switch to another weapon style, and approach the same type of encounter with a different combat rhythm.

Classes, Umbra, and build experimentation

Towerborne's strongest long-term system is the relationship between class mastery, gear, weapons, and Umbra companions. Class Mastery skills expand each moveset, while Universal skills eventually become available across all classes. Skill points can be redistributed, so testing an alternative setup does not require abandoning the character you have already developed.

Your Umbra is a bonded spirit companion with its own combat ability. Umbra powers can provide offense, defense, or support, giving each loadout an additional tactical layer. Umbra Aspects can modify how those abilities behave, making the companion part of a build rather than a passive cosmetic follower.

Loot progression is similarly flexible. Towerborne includes gear sets with bonuses for wearing multiple pieces, legendary weapons and equipment, boss weapons with specialized perks, and Aspects for Helm, Chest, and Weapon items. Players can mix gear sets, stack legendary items, and customize stats through the Forge system.

The Forge supports upgrading gear with Spirit Dust, fusing unwanted equipment, reforging undesirable stats, and refining existing values. This gives the loot loop more control than a simple replace-your-old-item system. The goal is not only to find a stronger drop, but to shape equipment around the class, status effects, Umbra ability, or combo strategy you actually want to use.

Campaign, map progression, and repeatable challenges

The full game includes a story-driven campaign centered on the Belfry, the last refuge of humanity, and the fall of the City of Numbers. Missions are selected through the World Map or Quest menu, while exploration reveals new environments, refugees, allies, and additional threats as your Danger Level increases.

The campaign is supported by NPC companions who join selected missions and contribute player-like combat abilities. They can extend combos, create openings, and help manage difficult encounters without turning Towerborne into a party-management RPG.

After or alongside the main story, the Bounty Board provides more than 100 additional missions and combat scenarios. Its activities include boss variants, time trials, Courage Crucibles, Krafft's Gauntlets, and escalating challenges with rewards tied to difficulty. This structure gives geared characters a practical reason to keep testing their builds after the campaign path is complete.

Difficulty can be adjusted from the mission selection screen. Higher settings increase the combat challenge and improve rewards such as Writs and Spirit Dust. Level Sync also helps friends at different progression stages play together without making lower-level missions completely irrelevant.

Standard and Deluxe content

The current commercial model is straightforward: Towerborne is sold as a premium base game through Standard and Deluxe Editions. The Standard Edition contains the base game, while the Deluxe Edition adds cosmetic sets, six additional Rare Aspects, core crafting materials, and advanced crafting materials.

The current release no longer follows the earlier free-to-play and always-online plan. All core gameplay content is included in the one-time purchase, and the active cosmetic model is based on gameplay rewards rather than direct microtransaction purchases.

Cosmetics can be earned from missions, Curios, and the Writs Store. Players can also create cosmetic versions of dropped equipment, including legendary items, so a useful item does not force you to keep an appearance you dislike. Deluxe bonuses provide an earlier supply of customization and crafting resources, but the main progression systems remain part of the base game.

Who should play Towerborne?

Towerborne is a good fit for players who want arcade-style action with more persistent progression than a conventional beat 'em up. The combat is immediate, but the surrounding systems reward players who enjoy comparing perks, adjusting gear, changing classes, and repeating missions to improve a build.

It also suits solo players more than the original always-online design suggested. Offline play is supported, and the campaign can be completed alone. The experience is less suitable for players expecting a large open-world RPG, a massive class roster, or a traditional MMO structure with shared social spaces and automatic matchmaking.

Players who prefer concentrated side-scrolling combat without loot management may find the RPG systems more involved than necessary. Conversely, anyone searching for a conventional Diablo-style isometric game should note that Towerborne's side-on camera and brawler controls define the experience.

PC features, multiplayer, and localization

The PC version supports single-player and online co-op for up to four players on the same platform. Each player has an individual gameplay camera during online sessions, which makes coordination easier than a shared-screen format. The host drives the adventure, while friends join missions and progress through the host's campaign context.

PC couch co-op is not supported. Local four-player play is available on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5, but the PC version is designed around solo play or online sessions. The current FAQ also states that platform matchmaking and general cross-play are not available, so PC players should plan to use platform friend invites rather than an open matchmaking queue.

Steam lists full controller support, Steam Cloud, achievements, and Family Sharing. The official PC information recommends a controller, which fits the game's dodge timing, combo inputs, and directional combat better than a mouse-focused setup. The current storefront does not advertise a separate launcher or anti-cheat requirement.

Steam lists 23 interface and subtitle languages. English is supported for interface, full audio, and subtitles, while the other listed languages provide interface and subtitle localization. The game also supports offline play, allowing the campaign and solo progression loop to work without a permanent online connection.

Similar side-scrolling action RPGs

Players who want a more traditional co-op action RPG with equipment upgrades can compare Towerborne with third-person fantasy co-op adventures such as The Lord of the Rings: War in the North. That game is more linear and party-driven, while Towerborne offers class switching, side-scrolling combat, and deeper gear customization.

For a purer 2D combat experience, side-scrolling hack-and-slash games like Bladed Fury provide a closer match for responsive attacks, dodging, boss encounters, and a fixed horizontal perspective. Bladed Fury is more focused and single-player, whereas Towerborne adds online co-op, class mastery, loot sets, and repeatable challenge missions.

If cooperative brawling matters more than RPG progression, directional co-op beat 'em ups such as Shing! offer a more compact arcade structure. Towerborne is the better fit for players who want the brawler foundation to support a longer campaign and ongoing build experimentation.

Towerborne FAQ

Is Towerborne still free to play?

No. The current release is a premium, buy-once game with Standard and Deluxe Editions. The previous free-to-play and always-online direction was replaced by offline play, optional online co-op, and gameplay-earned cosmetics.

Is Towerborne available on PC?

Yes. The current PC release is available through Steam and Xbox on PC. The game remains listed under the name Towerborne rather than receiving a separate rebrand or definitive-edition title.

Does Towerborne have offline mode?

Yes. The campaign and solo progression can be played offline. Online access is required only when you want to play co-op with other players.

How many players can play Towerborne online?

Online co-op supports up to four players, including the host. On PC, the multiplayer experience is online-only rather than local couch co-op.

Can PC players use couch co-op?

No. Couch co-op is currently limited to Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5. PC players need separate online sessions for multiplayer.

What are the four Towerborne classes?

The four classes are Sentinel with Sword and Shield, Pyroclast with Warclub, Rockbreaker with Gauntlets, and Shadowstriker with Dual Daggers. Each class has its own moveset, weapon mechanics, mastery skills, and combat identity.

Does Towerborne have microtransactions or paid cosmetic currency?

The current full game uses gameplay-earned cosmetics and Writs rather than ongoing cosmetic purchases. The Deluxe Edition adds cosmetic sets and progression materials, while the core campaign and build systems are included in the base game.