Towerborne: A Live-Service Beat 'Em Up That Works

Whenever I’m stuck in a gaming rut and unsure what to play, I often turn to classic beat ’em ups like Streets of Rage 4, Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons, or Castle Crashers. These games offer the perfect mix of mindless action and engaging mechanics, letting me button-mash through levels or dive deep into their combat systems. Recognizing this appealing game loop, developer Stoic, in collaboration with Xbox Game Studios, is bringing a fresh take on the genre with their new live-service beat ’em up, Towerborne.

Coming to Steam as early access next month, Towerborne had a preview at an Xbox event in Los Angeles. While I didn’t get to explore the game’s social features, which promise to set it apart, I can confidently say that its fantasy beat ’em up core is solid and has the potential to become a staple for those moments when I need a gaming pick-me-up.

At launch, Towerborne will offer a range of weapons for your heroes, known as Aces. During the demo, I tested two weapons: the Warclub and Dual Daggers. The Warclub combines a club with a cannon, delivering substantial damage and excellent crowd control, though its slow attack speed leaves you vulnerable. The Dual Daggers, on the other hand, focus on rapid strikes and agility, making them ideal for fast-paced action. While I leaned towards the Warclub, the Dual Daggers could be a great choice for a more frantic playstyle.

In the demo, I tackled a level set in the game’s lush grasslands. Featuring a crisp cel-shaded art style, Towerborne feels accessible while still offering depth. I battled through waves of enemies with a fellow player until facing off against a formidable armadillo-like boss named Pangojira. This battle highlighted the game’s fun mechanics, with the Warclub’s crowd-control abilities and my Umbra pet’s support adding layers to the combat.

Even in this early stage, Towerborne shows promise for replayability. Although I didn’t explore the Belfry—the game’s social hub inspired by Destiny 2's Tower—this area will allow players to socialize, customize their Aces, and select missions from a world map. This will be crucial to the game’s long-term appeal, providing a loop of missions and upgrades.

I’m eager to see how Towerborne’s live-service elements unfold. The developers assured me they are prepared to be responsive from day one of early access, with plans for seasonal content and cosmetic microtransactions. Future updates will also include features like couch co-op.

If Towerborne successfully integrates its beat ’em up roots with live-service innovations, Stoic and Xbox may have carved out a unique niche in the genre.

Towerborne will launch into Steam early access on September 10. To participate, you’ll need to purchase a $25 founder’s pack. The game will become free-to-play on PC and Xbox Series X/S in 2025.