The newly released indie horror FPS, Twisted Tower, offers a distinct experience by blending the atmospheric world-building reminiscent of BioShock with more action-oriented, fast-paced combat. Developed by a small team, the game has quickly become a notable indie shooter of 2026.
The narrative centers on Vincent, a young man in the 1950s whose fiancée, Charlotte, is abducted by a film director and taken to a disturbing amusement park built around his movies. Vincent must then ascend the titular "Twisted Tower" to rescue her. The game's approximately four-hour runtime allows for a focused experience, enhanced by collectible letters and audio logs that flesh out the characters and their relationships, leading to a surprising and impactful finale.
Gameplay in Twisted Tower emphasizes rapid combat and movement, drawing comparisons to modern "boomer shooters." While its art deco environments and dilapidated hallways are clearly inspired by BioShock, the core gameplay loop focuses on engaging gunplay and evasion. This approach avoids overly complex systems, allowing the game to maintain momentum despite its smaller budget.
Players can utilize a variety of weapons, from a standard pistol effective against weaker foes like animated toys, to a powerful shotgun for clearing rooms, and even unconventional items such as a giant wooden clown mallet. Vending machines scattered throughout the tower allow players to spend collected tickets on weapon upgrades. While basic enhancements like increased ammo capacity and damage are effective, some alternative firing modes felt less impactful and potentially a waste of resources.
Despite the presence of jump scares and waves of enemies, including a significant number of unsettling clown characters, the game's default difficulty allowed for an enjoyable playthrough without excessive frustration. For those with a phobia of clowns, Twisted Tower might present a significant challenge, though the act of shooting them with various projectiles, such as gumballs, can be cathartic.
Twisted Tower is a solid and well-crafted FPS that delivers a concise and engaging horror experience. It stands out as a recommended title, particularly for those seeking a shorter, action-packed horror game, provided they can look past some janky animations and a healthy dose of creepy clown encounters. The game is currently available on Steam.