Twisted Tower is celebrating its recent launch with a new accolades trailer showcasing some of the praise the unusual horror-focused FPS has received from critics and players.
Published by 3D Realms, the publishing label of Saber Interactive, and developed by indie creator Thomas Brush, Twisted Tower takes players to a bizarre abandoned theme park inspired by the look and feel of the 1950s. What initially appears to be a colourful attraction quickly turns into something far more sinister, with creepy mascots, deadly traps and unsettling secrets waiting around practically every corner.
The newly released accolades trailer highlights the reception the game has received since launching, putting its fast-paced combat and distinctive atmosphere front and centre. Rather than simply relying on traditional horror, Twisted Tower mixes its unsettling setting with colourful environments, strange characters and plenty of action.
Players take on the role of a protagonist attempting to reach the top of the titular tower while searching for his love. Getting there won’t be easy, however, as each floor introduces new dangers and challenges.
The game gives players an assortment of toy-inspired weapons to use along the way, including the rather unusual dart-firing Tommy Gun. Combat is only one part of the experience, though, as players will also need to jump, dash and grapple their way through the tower while solving puzzles and investigating the disturbing story hidden beneath its cheerful theme-park aesthetic.
That contrast is a major part of Twisted Tower’s appeal. Its world combines the nostalgia of a classic amusement park with increasingly disturbing imagery, creating an environment where colourful fairy-tale mascots can be just as threatening as the game’s more conventional dangers.
Players can also choose how they approach the tower. Those who want to take their time can explore its strange attractions and search for secrets, while anyone looking for a more action-heavy experience can push forward with weapons blazing. Regardless of the approach, the danger increases as players climb higher.
The game’s visual style and premise have drawn comparisons to BioShock and classic theme-park imagery, but Twisted Tower puts its own spin on the concept by blending first-person shooting, platforming, puzzles and horror into a single adventure.
With the game now available, the new accolades trailer serves as a celebration of its launch and the response it has received so far. For players looking for something a little different from the usual FPS experience, its combination of retro amusement-park aesthetics, unsettling fairy-tale characters and frantic combat could make the tower worth exploring.
Twisted Tower is now available on PC via Steam for $14.99.