Towerborne—the combat-heavy RPG from Stoic, the acclaimed studio behind the Banner Saga trilogy—is undergoing a radical transformation for its 1.0 debut, trading its live-service roots for a more traditional gaming model.
Stoic CEO Trisha Stouffer detailed the shift in a recent Xbox Wire update. She explained that as the game moves out of Early Access next month, it will abandon its original free-to-play, always-online blueprint. Instead, it will relaunch as a “buy-once” title that supports both offline solo play and online cooperative missions. Stouffer emphasized that players will now “own the complete experience permanently.”
“This pivot necessitated a massive structural overhaul throughout the last year,” Stouffer noted, referencing the technical challenge of decoupling systems that were built for persistent server connectivity. According to the CEO, this effort has resulted in a more accessible and player-centric version of the game that the team is eager to finally release.
Towerborne is scheduled to hit version 1.0 on February 26, 2026, across PC, Xbox Series X|S, Game Pass, and PlayStation 5. The launch will be accompanied by a substantial content update that touches nearly every aspect of the title.
In a move that signals a departure from modern monetization trends, Stoic is completely removing cosmetic microtransactions. Players will now unlock vanity items solely through gameplay—a refreshingly classic approach. The 1.0 update also brings the narrative to its conclusion with a final story showdown, introduces two new bosses, a revamped world map, and an entirely new biome. Additionally, players can expect fresh gear, expanded abilities, a refined difficulty curve, and a new score from Journey composer Austin Wintory.
While Towerborne features the same breathtaking, hand-painted aesthetic that defined Stoic’s previous work, the gameplay marks a sharp departure from the tactical strategy of The Banner Saga. It focuses instead on fluid, combo-driven action and cooperative monster-slaying in a vibrant fantasy setting.
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Source: gamesradar.com
