Towerborne, an action-packed side-scrolling RPG from Xbox Game Studios, is gearing up for its official release on February 26th. Initially conceived as a free-to-play, always-online title, the game will now be offered as a paid experience, allowing for offline play.

Trisha Stouffer, CEO and president of Stoic, the game’s developer, elaborated on this shift in an Xbox Wire blog post, stating, “You’ll have permanent ownership of the full game, which includes offline play and online co-op options.” Over the past year, the developers have undertaken substantial structural changes, transitioning the game’s framework from a constant online requirement to a more player-friendly approach. This transformation has resulted in a more robust and accessible version of Towerborne, which they are excited to finally release.

Feedback from the community during Early Access and Game Preview periods indicated a desire for a complete, polished experience free from continuous monetization schemes. An FAQ explains that by adopting a premium model, players can enjoy the entire game from the start, eliminating live-service grinds and pay-to-win practices, offering instead the most refined version of Towerborne.

In a gaming landscape dominated by live service titles like Fortnite and Roblox, Towerborne’s transition to a premium, offline-capable experience could prove attractive to those seeking to avoid the commitment of another perpetual online game. Personally, this makes Towerborne a more intriguing prospect for gamers like myself.

Upon its full release, Towerborne will feature a comprehensive storyline, introduce new bosses, and offer a revamped difficulty system. Players will have the opportunity to earn all in-game cosmetics through gameplay without any additional purchases. Those who participated in early access will continue to have access to the game.

Launching on February 26th, Towerborne will be available on Xbox Series X/S, PC via Xbox, Game Pass, Steam, and PS5. The standard edition is priced at $24.99, while the deluxe edition will be available for $29.99.