Apparently, I have a soft spot for games like Project Tower or Moon Mystery, which feature a futuristic setting, third-person shooting, and engaging puzzles. However, Project Tower still stands out because it combines bullet hell combat, platforming, and a unique morphing mechanic as you ascend a mysterious alien tower. Yummy Games has done a superb job showcasing this world, but the gameplay leaves a little more to be desired.
For starters, Project Tower runs extremely smoothly. The Unreal Engine graphics look great, and the game is polished and flows without issues. The monsters and boss fights, as well as the various characters, are visually impressive. Who would have thought that an indie game could look better and run smoother than some AAA titles?
Also, the biomes are diverse and visually appealing. You will be able to explore snowy landscapes, underwater worlds, desolate alien terrains, puzzle rooms, and much more. Still, the cutscenes are a bit choppy. While the animations are solid, the cinematic scenes feel blurred and sometimes confusing to the eye.
The gameplay is quite straightforward. Besides shooting and aiming, you can also dodge attacks, which is a crucial mechanic, as you’ll face a rain of bullets, fireballs, and enemies jumping at you. This is vital for survival. The combat is solid, and you have different types of weapons at your disposal, each with a different fire rate and damage output. Still, you’ll mostly rely on the machine gun, as it’s the most dependable option.
Boss fights are one of the most engaging parts of the game, providing challenging encounters that test your precision and reflexes. However, certain bosses, like the one in the underwater biome or the final boss, can present unfair difficulty spikes. This is particularly frustrating due to the limited healing options, as the only way to recover is by reaching a checkpoint.
The most interesting mechanic in the game is the morphing mechanic, which allows you to transform into scanned creatures or objects. Some transformations are extremely useful in combat, enabling you to deal heavy damage or jump great distances. However, outside of combat, the mechanic is underutilized. While certain forms help with puzzle-solving, such as turning into a column to activate a challenge, such moments are rare. You use some transformations once and never again, which is a real shame, as there are brilliant ideas, like morphing into an alien to teleport through dimensions.
The introduction of platforming puzzles provides a refreshing change from the combat, requiring wall-running, shooting moving targets, and avoiding environmental traps. Some puzzles introduce creative mechanics, such as using a specific weapon to move blocks, positioning blocks into certain slots, or jumping between moving platforms. While these moments are fun, the occasionally clumsy platforming, especially around ledges, can disrupt the experience. Some platforms are difficult to hit, while others move too fast, forcing you to repeat certain segments due to the game’s strict nature.
Exploration in Project Tower is minimal, as the game follows a linear structure, whether in the story, combat, or boss encounters. There is not much incentive to explore outside of the set objectives. The unlimited ammo and health renewal only at checkpoints further simplify the gameplay, while the story lacks significant depth, with characters appearing only occasionally.
Project Tower is relatively short, offering approximately 6 hours of gameplay. Each floor introduces a new biome, but the number of enemies between boss fights is limited, making some areas feel sparse. While certain parts can seem a bit repetitive, it doesn’t entirely spoil the experience. However, an upgrade system for weapons could add more reasons for experimentation and replayability.
In the end, Project Tower is a commendable and actually solid game. The fun boss fights, diverse biomes, and clever morphing mechanics demonstrate a potential that could have been fully realized with a bigger budget. However, the lack of weapon variety and the limited use of the unique mechanics prevent the game from reaching its full potential.
Still, if you enjoy games like this, ones that aren’t boring and provide a good dose of fun, you have nothing to lose by giving Project Tower a try.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Visually stunning game. | Lack of exploration and depth. |
| Interesting boss encounters. | Underutilized transformation mechanic. |
| Varied biomes and level design. | Unbalanced difficulty and limited healing options. |
| Unique transformation mechanic. |
Review copy provided by the publisher
3.5
