Get ready for a wild ride through a world of twisted clowns and unsettling nostalgia with Twisted Tower, the new indie horror FPS that’s quickly become a favorite. While it draws clear inspiration from classics like BioShock, this game cranks up the action, embraces its B-movie charm, and delivers a surprisingly tight and engaging experience.
A Simple Premise, A Twisted World
The story is straightforward: you play as Vincent, a young man in the 1950s deeply in love with Charlotte, a movie fanatic obsessed with The Twisted Tower, widely considered a cinematic masterpiece. When Charlotte is kidnapped by the film’s eccentric director and his goons to the bizarre amusement park dedicated to his movies, it’s up to Vincent to venture into the decaying tower, armed with an arsenal of both conventional and utterly ridiculous weaponry.
Throughout the roughly four-hour campaign, I uncovered letters and audio logs that fleshed out Vincent’s backstory, his relationship with Charlotte, and the director’s descent into madness. The ending, while unexpected, was incredibly impactful and left a lasting impression.
Fast-Paced Action in a Familiar Setting
The gameplay is where Twisted Tower truly shines. While the game’s colorful, dilapidated Art Deco levels are reminiscent of BioShock, the combat is significantly faster and more aggressive, drawing comparisons to modern “boomer shooters.” This design choice works incredibly well, keeping the experience fresh and exciting.
The weapons are varied and satisfyingly powerful. The starting pistol is adequate for weaker enemies like those creepy telephone toys that chase you around (yes, really!), but it won’t stand a chance against tougher foes. The shotgun is a room-clearing powerhouse, though its slow reload forces strategic use. And when all else fails, there’s always the option of smashing enemies in the face with a giant wooden clown mallet.
A Few Quirks, But Worth It
As you explore the tower, you’ll find vending machines where you can spend tickets to upgrade your weapons. This system is simple but also the weakest part of the game. Some upgrades, like increased ammo capacity and damage, are straightforward improvements. Others, which add bizarre alternate firing modes, felt unnecessary and a waste of resources.
Despite these minor flaws, I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Twisted Tower. The difficulty was well-balanced, allowing for plenty of action without feeling overly punishing. Even when the game threw jump scares and waves of disturbing clown enemies my way, I found myself grinning rather than screaming (though there were a few genuine moments of terror).
If you’re not a fan of clowns, proceed with caution – this game features an entire level dedicated to them! However, even if you have a phobia, the catharsis of blasting those creepy jesters with a marble launcher might be worth it. Twisted Tower isn’t the most groundbreaking horror FPS ever made, but it’s a solid, well-crafted experience that’s perfect for getting into the spooky season spirit. If you can stomach the janky animations and occasional jump scares, check out Twisted Tower, available now on Steam.
Comments
Be the first to comment.