TowerFall (NSP, XCI) ROM + v1.4.1.6 Update

TowerFall is an action indie video game created by Maddy Thorson through her company Maddy Makes Games. In the game, players control up to four archers in a multiplayer platform fighter. It was released on the Ouya micro-console in June 2013 and was later ported to PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Linux, OS X, and Windows as TowerFall Ascension and the Nintendo Switch under its original title of TowerFall.

TowerFall was Thorson’s first commercial game. It followed a June 2012 game jam single-player prototype. Thorson tested the game on her indie developer colleagues with whom she lived and developed its capacity as a party game. Its mechanics were inspired by games of Thorson’s youth, such as Bushido Blade and GoldenEye 007, and influenced by demo feedback at the Evolution Championship Series fighting game tournament.

TowerFall was known as the standout title for the Ouya at the console’s launch. In its first year, the game sold around 7,000 copies on Ouya, resulting in a gross revenue of about $105,000. When the Ouya exclusivity expired, Thorson signed another exclusivity agreement for the PlayStation 4, where Ascension received an expanded single-player mode, and new levels, weapons, and gameplay variants.

A PlayStation Vita release followed in 2015, and Xbox One and Switch versions have been released as well. A standalone eight-player edition for Windows was released in 2016. Ascension was met with generally favorable reception. Critics recommended it as a party game reminiscent of Super Smash Bros. and praised its balance. However, some felt that its single-player mode was a low point, and lamented the lack of an online multiplayer mode.

TowerFall, the ultimate rendition of the cherished archery combat/party game, combines content from Ascension and Dark World while adding exclusive Nintendo Switch bonuses! Drawing inspiration from classic couch multiplayer gems, TowerFall focuses on uproarious, intense versus matches, ideally enjoyed among friends, seated close, and ready to exchange playful punches. The game’s core mechanics are accessible yet intricate.

Offering an abundance of gameplay variations, arrow types, power-ups, and levels to master. For a breather from the competition, unite in 1-4 player co-op modes, defending against diverse monsters, rival archers, and formidable bosses. Nintendo Switch version presents several new and exclusive features: widescreen 6-player battles, fresh gameplay variants, and the inclusion of guest archers Madeline and her reflection Badeline from the beloved platformer Celeste.

GAMEPLAY

TowerFall is an archery combat arena game where players kill each other with arrows and head-stomps until only one player remains. It is also possible to play in cooperative mode. In multiplayer, up to four players fight in an arena using a limited supply of arrows. Players replenish their arrow supply from those shot about the arena.

The players can also catch other players’ arrows. “Treasure” power-ups give players shields, wings, and arrows with increased power. The game’s rules can be customized and saved for future use. Kotaku’s Chris Person described the gameplay as ” Smash Bros. bred with games like Spelunky or Nidhogg”. There are four game modes. In single-player, the player must hit targets around the arena before a timer runs out.

The developer compared this mode to “Break the Targets” in the Super Smash Bros. series. Ascension adds a remodeled version of the target levels as a Trial mode, which requires the players to use power-ups to break all targets within several seconds. Ascension also adds a Quest mode, where one or two players attempt to survive against enemy waves of increasing difficulty.

As a single-player event, Quest functions as a score attack mode. The new Ascension improvements were also released for the Ouya version. The Ouya release supports the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 controllers. Ascension uses the DualShock 4 controller’s built-in speaker to play sound effects. The game does not have online multiplayer.