Towerborne, an action-packed side-scroller crafted by Xbox Game Studios, is set to officially hit the shelves on February 26th. Originally conceived as a free-to-play, always-online title, the game will now emerge as a purchasable product, allowing for offline play.

According to Trisha Stouffer, CEO of the game's developer Stoic, this directional shift means players will have lifetime access to the full experience, complete with offline and cooperative online modes. Stouffer explains in an Xbox Wire blog that converting the game's core from continuous online connectivity to standalone playability was a significant reconstruction effort over the last year. This overhaul has yielded a more robust, accessible, and user-focused iteration of Towerborne, a version the team is thrilled to introduce to the market.

A Community-Driven Decision

Feedback from players during Early Access and Game Preview highlighted a demand for a comprehensive and polished game that would not rely on perpetual monetization tactics. The game's transformation to a premium format allows the developers to offer the entirety of the game upfront, devoid of any ongoing monetization schemes or pay-to-win mechanics.

In an industry dominated by live-service games, Towerborne's fresh approach as a full-blown offline experience may entice those wishing to steer clear of games that require excessive time commitment. At least for my part, this makes Towerborne more attractive.

New Features with Full Release

The 1.0 release of Towerborne will introduce players to a complete narrative, new formidable bosses, and a revamped difficulty setting. All in-game aesthetic items can be earned through playing, eliminating additional purchasing requirements. Gamers participating in the early access phase will retain their ability to play.

Upon its launch, Towerborne will be available on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox for PC, Game Pass, Steam, and PS5. The standard version is priced at $24.99, while the deluxe variant will retail for $29.99.