Tower 57

https://youtu.be/aDcqrMEtZ4U Opening with a grand concept but unable to deliver on the lofty goals.

im enjoying it so far, made it to the city its kinda got a cyberpunk meets cool world/roger rabbit vibe i really dig, seems a steal on sale i paid less than a dollar

I helped kickstart this game, played it when it was released, and enjoyed it. I decided to try it again after nearly a decade gone by and. . .I still enjoy it. You know the saying "style over substance?" In this case, style compliments substance. The gameplay in and of itself is a fine twin stick shooter with some twists but nothing to write home about; but the pixel art is absolutely gorgeous and the attention to detail is one of the best I've ever seen. Sure, other pixel games have destructible environments but these ones break down instead of explode in one hit. Add in a fantastic soundtrack, gorgeous dieselpunk environments, and each floor its own unique setting and you've got yourself a game that's better than the mixed reviews suggest. A lot of negative reviews seem to come from bugs and game breakers which is fair criticism, but so far I haven't encountered any on my second playthrough. As for the 6 hour runtime, Tower 57 isn't too short for me, given the price and I'd rather have a game I wish was longer than a game that outstays its welcome. At discount you're getting a gorgeous pixel art experience for the price of a cup o' joe, so it's well worth taking the risk. There are twin stick shooters that have better mechanics and others that have more depth; but few that are as gorgeous and unique as Tower 57.

[b]It really is retro[/b] Tower 57 has really nice pixel graphics, mouse aiming, six characters to chose from and a certain charm. It's also too difficult on easy mode, stingy with giving you information about items and too clunky to navigate. After 22 minutes i died because i got stuck in a swamps somewhere with no apparent way out. There's a reason we don't make games like this anymore.

75 / 100

Muito bom, bem divertido, mapas bem legais, dificuldade razoável, voce não fica perdido no jogo ! Gostei bastante

Enter the Gungeon, story mode. Pretty fun, but it was upsetting to learn that the achievements are bugged.

Tower 57 is a retro-inspired action shooter that aims to recapture the chaotic energy and visual flair of classic arcade and Amiga-era games while layering in modern mechanics and cooperative design. Developed by Pixwerk and published by 11 bit studios, the game presents a compact but stylistically confident experience built around intense combat, striking pixel art, and a clear love for old-school shooter sensibilities. From the moment you step into its towering, hostile megastructure, it becomes clear that Tower 57 is less about narrative complexity and more about delivering moment-to-moment action that feels fast, dangerous, and unapologetically arcade-driven. The game’s setting is defined by a dieselpunk aesthetic that blends industrial decay with neon-lit technology, giving the tower itself a strong visual identity. Environments are densely detailed, packed with destructible elements that serve both aesthetic and mechanical purposes. Blowing apart scenery is not just visually satisfying but can open alternate routes or create temporary cover, adding a subtle layer of tactical awareness to firefights. The pixel art is sharp and expressive, managing to look nostalgic without feeling dated, and the busy screens remain readable even when combat reaches its most chaotic moments. Gameplay revolves around twin-stick shooting that emphasizes constant movement and aggressive positioning. Enemies come in a wide range of types, each with distinct attack patterns and behaviors that force players to stay alert rather than rely on brute force alone. Encounters often feel deliberately overwhelming, pushing players to prioritize threats, manage space carefully, and make quick decisions under pressure. Weapons and gadgets offer meaningful variety, allowing for different approaches to combat, whether that means spraying bullets to control crowds or using heavier tools to deal with tougher enemies. One of the more memorable mechanics involves losing limbs during combat and replacing them with cybernetic upgrades, a system that adds both dark humor and strategic customization to character progression. While Tower 57 can be played solo, its design clearly favors cooperative play. Whether locally or online, playing with a partner transforms the experience, turning frantic firefights into exercises in coordination and shared survival. Cooperative play allows players to cover multiple angles, revive one another, and experiment with complementary builds, making later sections of the tower feel more manageable and more exciting. In contrast, solo play can feel significantly harsher, with difficulty spikes and enemy density sometimes bordering on punishing, especially for players unfamiliar with the genre’s old-school roots. The pacing of the game is brisk and focused, but its relatively short length is one of its most commonly noted limitations. A full run through the tower can be completed fairly quickly, and while the action is dense, some players may find themselves wishing for more stages or greater variation to sustain long-term engagement. Checkpoints and difficulty balance can occasionally frustrate, particularly when mistakes result in replaying sizable sections, a design choice that echoes classic arcade punishment but may clash with modern expectations of convenience. Despite these shortcomings, Tower 57’s personality and craftsmanship are hard to ignore. Its soundtrack complements the action well, reinforcing the industrial, high-energy tone of combat, while its visual cohesion gives the game a sense of place that many indie shooters lack. The game does not attempt to reinvent the genre, but instead refines a specific style of shooter with care and enthusiasm, clearly built by developers who understand and appreciate the legacy they are drawing from. Ultimately, Tower 57 is a game that succeeds most when approached with the right expectations. It is a focused, action-heavy experience designed for players who enjoy retro shooters, challenging encounters, and cooperative chaos. While its brevity and balance issues may limit its appeal for some, its striking presentation, satisfying gunplay, and strong co-op design make it a memorable entry in the indie shooter space. For fans of classic top-down action and pixel-art worlds filled with destruction and danger, Tower 57 offers a compact but energetic climb that celebrates its inspirations with confidence. Rating: 6/10

missed an opportunity to make tower 67.