Towerborne 1.0 Release: Is It the New King of Xbox Game Pass in 2026?
After years of anticipation and several phases in Early Access, the full release of Towerborne has finally arrived, and it’s making waves across the gaming community. Developed by Stoic Studio, the minds behind the critically acclaimed The Banner Saga, Towerborne is a side-scrolling action RPG that’s now available on Xbox Game Pass. But does it live up to the hype? Is it worth your time, especially for those with a Game Pass subscription?
The Major Shift: From Live-Service to Premium Title
One of the biggest talking points surrounding Towerborne is its sudden shift from a planned free-to-play, live-service game to a paid premium experience. This change comes after feedback from the community during its Early Access phase and seems to be a move in the right direction.
Here’s what you need to know about the new structure:
- Standard Edition: $24.99
- Deluxe Edition: $29.99
- Game Pass Availability: Free for Game Pass Premium and Ultimate subscribers.
This change has been warmly welcomed by players who were initially frustrated by the microtransactions and in-game purchases during the Early Access phase. With the 1.0 launch, those “Belfry Bucks” are gone, and the game now features a complete, standalone experience where cosmetics are earned through gameplay instead of your wallet.
It’s a bold move, and one that has, in general, been met with approval. The shift allows for a deeper and more rewarding experience, without the nagging feeling that you’re missing out on something by not opening your wallet.
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What’s New in Towerborne 1.0?
The 1.0 update isn’t just about a polished final release; it’s an overhaul of the entire game. The content update adds significant depth, making the game feel much more complete.
- A Full Story Campaign – The core narrative of Towerborne centers around the mystery of the City of Numbers, where corruption is threatening the Belfry, the last sanctuary for humanity. The 1.0 launch provides a fleshed-out story that gives players a full experience from beginning to end.
- Brutal Mode – This is the hardcore endgame mode that will appeal to the veterans. Expect tougher AI, elite Vanguard enemies, and a brutal challenge that’ll test your combat skills to the limit.
- New Biomes and Enemies – The world of Towerborne expands with new regions, each offering unique environmental challenges and a variety of formidable new enemies. The biomes are beautifully designed, and the boss fights feel genuinely exciting and unique.
- Reworked Progression System – The game has revamped its progression system, introducing the Forge system and Class Mastery skills. This new progression makes character customization more meaningful, giving players more ways to fine-tune their playstyle and approach.
- Offline Mode – Finally, Stoic has introduced an offline mode, so you can enjoy the campaign without needing to be connected online. Of course, online co-op is still available for those who want to team up with friends.
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Combat and Customization: Depth and Fun
At its core, Towerborne is an action-packed brawler that combines the high-energy combat of classic beat ‘em ups with the loot mechanics and RPG elements of modern action games. You play as an “Ace,” an immortal warrior tasked with defending the Belfry.
Combat Classes and Playstyles
The game offers four distinct weapon classes that each come with their own combat style:
- Sword and Shield (Sentinel) – Focuses on defense with a strong emphasis on blocking and parrying.
- War Clubs – Heavy-hitting weapons that focus on brute strength and high impact.
- Dual Daggers (Shadowstriker) – Fast, nimble, and reliant on quick dodges and agile movements.
- Staffs – Long-range weaponry with wide-reaching area-of-effect attacks.
Each class brings a different dynamic to combat, and the game encourages you to experiment with various playstyles.
The Umbra System: Your Spiritual Companion
Even when you’re tackling Towerborne solo, you’re never truly alone. The Umbra system introduces a spirit companion that aids in battle. The Umbra provides unique abilities that can be paired with your weapon skills to create synergies and elevate the combat experience. The deeper you dive into the system, the more you’ll realize how strategic and rewarding combat can become.
Co-Op Play: Couch and Cloud
As Stoic describes it, Towerborne is a “love letter” to local co-op. With 4-player couch co-op and online play supported, the game is a blast to play with friends. Plus, with Xbox Play Anywhere, your progress carries seamlessly between your Xbox Series X|S and PC, so you can take the game on the go.
Performance and Technical Details
The game runs beautifully on all platforms, but here’s how it performs on the Xbox consoles:
| Platform | Resolution | FPS | HDR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xbox Series X | 4K | Up to 120 FPS | Yes |
| Xbox Series S | 1080p | Up to 120 FPS | No |
| Handhelds (e.g., ROG Ally) | 1080p | 60 FPS on Ultra | Yes |
The graphics are stunning, with smooth frame rates, even on lower-end hardware like the Xbox Series S. The handheld experience is also impressive, with ultra settings running at a solid 60 FPS.
Community Feedback: The Reddit Buzz
Early feedback from the community on platforms like Reddit has been largely positive. Players who were initially turned off by the monetization model during Early Access are praising the shift to a premium model. The game now feels “silky smooth” and rewarding, with many finding it more enjoyable without the intrusive microtransactions.
However, some players have expressed concerns that Towerborne might not receive as many long-term content updates now that it’s no longer a live-service title. Stoic has assured fans, though, that the game’s narrative and content in 1.0 are fully realized and offer substantial replayability.
Final Thoughts: Is It Worth Your Time?
For Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers, Towerborne is a must-play title in 2026. The game provides a unique blend of fast-paced combat, RPG mechanics, and excellent co-op features that makes it stand out from other brawlers. If you’re buying it standalone for $24.99, you’ll get a 15+ hour campaign and plenty of replay value with the Brutal Mode endgame.
Pros:
- Fun and deep combat with varied classes.
- Beautiful biomes and engaging boss fights.
- Excellent co-op experience, both online and local.
- No microtransactions or predatory monetization.
Cons:
- Some concerns over the future of content updates post-live-service model.
- Replayability might feel limited for those who don’t enjoy the endgame content.
In summary, Towerborne is a solid addition to Xbox Game Pass, and it’s certainly one of the standout titles of 2026. If you’re into action RPGs with a blend of hack-and-slash combat and deep progression systems, this one is worth your attention.
