Twisted Tower Turns a Theme Park Into a Bloody Climb to the Top

Theme parks are supposed to have rides, overpriced snacks, and mascots waving at children. Twisted Tower apparently looked at that formula and decided the mascots needed weapons to turn your fun night into a fright night.

Released August 18, 2026, Twisted Tower is a single-player first-person action-adventure from Atmos Games and publisher 3D Realms. The game drops players into an abandoned 1950s-inspired theme park filled with corrupted fairy-tale mascots, deadly traps, puzzles, and a tower that probably violates several hundred building codes.

 A VERY DIFFERENT KIND OF THEME PARK 

Creator Thomas Brush has openly cited BioShock, Disney World, and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory among the inspirations behind Twisted Tower. That combination becomes pretty easy to understand once you see its whimsical attractions mixed with dark environments, strange characters, and considerably more violence than your average amusement park brochure.

Players are trying to reach the top of the tower while uncovering secrets connected to the protagonist's past and attempting to save the love of his life.

Of course, explaining a place this strange only gets us so far. So let's see what happens when the amusements attack.

 TOYS ARE NOW WEAPONS 

One of Twisted Tower's more noticeable ideas is its weapon selection.

Instead of handing players another collection of ordinary military firearms, Atmos Games built an arsenal around toys and amusement-park absurdity. Weapons include a rubber-band pistol, whack-a-mole mallet, dart-firing Tommy Gun, bubblegum chain-gun, sniper slingshot, ray gun and, because somebody had to do it, a farting shotgun. Excuse yourself with every reload.

Players can upgrade those weapons while collecting additional toys that provide abilities like grappling.

That gives exploration a little more purpose than simply checking behind every suspicious-looking crate because years of video games have trained us to do so.

 FIVE STOPS ON THE WAY UP 

The climb takes players through five major environments: a hotel, waterpark, clown casino, carnival forest and space station. Different paths can also be selected during playthroughs, giving players reasons to explore alternate routes if they return for another climb.

The combination of shooting, platforming, exploration, puzzles and environmental storytelling makes Twisted Tower more than a straight corridor shooter, even if shooting creepy mascots remains a fairly significant part of the job description.

 THE TOWER IS ALREADY FINDING AN AUDIENCE 

The early Steam response has been strong.

As of August 22, Twisted Tower has an Overwhelmingly Positive user rating, with 95% of 791 Steam reviews currently recommending the game. That number will continue changing as more players enter the tower, but the opening reception has clearly been positive.

Twisted Tower normally costs $14.99 USD, with a 10% introductory Steam discount bringing it to $13.49 through September 1, 2026. It is currently available for PC through Steam.

Anyone interested should also know that the game contains blood, gore and violence involving its monstrous mascots, so don't mistaken it for an invitation to bring the little ones along for the ride.

Twisted Tower takes the familiar idea of an amusement park and turns it into something considerably less OSHA-friendly. If BioShock-style atmosphere, strange weapons, horror and shooting fairy-tale mascots sound like a reasonable way to spend an evening, the tower is officially open.

Just keep your arms in the ride.

Support us below!

Halloween Horror Nights (Up to 40% Off)

The heat is on... so get your Drink on!

Why spend more when you can... Groupon?

PIONER: Early Access Experience - Descending Into the Depths of Tartarus

Early Access is always a gamble. Sometimes you’re buying into a vision. Other times... you’re stepping into a world that’s already found its footing but still has room to grow. PIONER sits firmly in the latter category — an atmospheric, systems-driven survival shooter that feels confident in what it wants to be, even as it continues to evolve on the road to full release. Hop in and lets roll!

Set in a haunting, post-apocalyptic open world that blends Eastern European grit with sci-fi mystery, PIONER doesn’t rush to explain itself. Instead, it lets tension, exploration, and... player choice do the talking. The result is an experience that rewards patience, curiosity, and preparedness — and with recent refinements under the hood, that experience is becoming smoother, smarter, and more inviting for long-term players.

This gameplay footage was recorded before the most recent major update. While visuals, performance, and systems have since improved, this video gives you a grounded look at the core gameplay loop, tone, and early-game pacing that define the PIONER experience.

 A World That Wants You to Learn It, Not Conquer It 

PIONER’s strength lies in how it balances danger with discovery. Every zone feels intentional — not just as a combat space, but as an ecosystem. You’re scavenging, managing resources, navigating hostile factions, and deciding when to engage or disengage. This isn’t a run-and-gun power fantasy... even if it's tempting to do so; it’s a survival-focused experience where awareness matters just as much as firepower.

As you move through areas like the Rogue Wasteland, Mushroom Valley, and the Midlands, you’ll notice how the game subtly teaches you its rules. Enemy placement, environmental hazards, and loot distribution all push you to slow down and think. That design philosophy carries into raids, PvP encounters, and global events, making progression feel earned rather than handed out.

 Depths of Tartarus: What the Update Improves (Without Breaking the Vision) 

Rather than reinventing the wheel, the Depths of Tartarus update reinforces PIONER’s foundation by tightening systems that matter most during long play sessions.

🔧 Performance & Optimization

This is where the update shines. Improved RAM usage, faster world map loading, reduced draw calls, and a new data precaching system significantly reduce stuttering and performance hiccups. Cutscenes run smoother, environments load more cleanly, and traversal feels less interrupted — especially in larger zones.

Lighting and character model optimizations also make the world feel more cohesive without dramatically altering its visual identity.

 New Content That Adds Variety, Not Noise 

• New PvP Map: “Dawn” (6v6 Brawl)
  A tighter, more controlled PvP space that emphasizes positioning and teamwork.

• New Raid Quest: “Crab Island”
  A welcome addition for PvE-focused players looking for structured challenges with meaningful rewards.

• Steam Achievements
  Small addition, big motivation — especially for completionists.

These additions expand the game without overwhelming it, which is exactly what Early Access content should do.

 Smarter Economy, Better Balance 

The update also addresses progression pacing:

• Adjusted drop rates for key materials

• Improved merchant pricing logic

• Increased chances of rare weapon workpieces from minibosses

• Rebalanced repair costs and requirements

Combat tuning brings noticeable changes as well, particularly for assault rifles, crossbows, and throwable weapons. Nothing feels wildly overpowered, but several tools now feel more viable across different playstyles.

(And yes — Vodka stats were fixed, which somehow feels very on-brand.)

 Quality-of-Life Changes That Quietly Matter 

Some of the most impactful improvements aren’t flashy:

• Faster and more reliable raid matchmaking

• Improved climbing and collision across all maps

• Better NPC navigation and quest flow

• Increased resource stack limits

• Headgear visibility toggles via the Skin Workbench

These are the kinds of refinements that don’t always make headlines but dramatically improve day-to-day play.

 Early Access Verdict (So Far) 

PIONER feels like a game that understands patience — both in how it’s played and how it’s being developed. The Depths of Tartarus update doesn’t try to sell hype; it builds trust. Performance improvements, meaningful balance tweaks, and focused content additions all point toward a team committed to long-term stability rather than short-term spikes.

If you’re the type of player who enjoys watching a world take shape — learning its systems, adapting to its dangers, and growing alongside it — PIONER is... already worth keeping on your radar.

The descent is just beginning.

To celebrate the update, PIONER is available on Steam at a 20% discount until February 16.

 + Sophi 

Support us below!

Weekly Deals with Sophi!

Nacon MG-X Pro | Cloud Gaming w/out the price tag!

1More SonoFlow Pro HQ51 Headphones

FTS: Here Comes the Beat Drop: GUN JAM Launches April 19 on Steam

Defeat enemies to a multi-genre soundtrack in this heart-thumping rhythm-action FPS

STOCKHOLM – April 5, 2023 – Indie developer Jaw Drop Games and publisher Raw Fury have revealed that GUN JAM, the fast-paced, rhythm-action FPS where you’ve gotta shoot, dash, and kick to the beat to win, will launch on April 19, 2023, on PC via Steam. Master the game’s signature beat-matching mechanics in action-packed firefights synced to a hypnotic original soundtrack featuring EDM, heavy metal, and trap music… or import your favorite tracks to create your own custom gameplay experience!

GUN JAM delivers energetic, over-the-top rhythm action inspired by classic retro shooters and arcade games. Get into the groove of the music with an array of powerful weapons against hordes of challenging enemies and bosses to rack up the highest score possible. Play as a variety of characters, each with their own unique attributes and Overdrive ability, on four vibrant maps that sync to the music!

Key Features:

• Master GUN JAM’s unique beat-pattern mechanic – shoot, dash, kick and rocket jump to the beat against waves of foes to claim the high score.
• Survive firefights synced to an original, multi-genre soundtrack of EDM, heavy metal, and trap – or import your favorite music to create your own gameplay thrill ride!
• Play as different characters, each with their own unique attributes and Overdrive ability.
• Dish out heavy damage with powerful weapons like the Railgun, Double-Barrel Shotgun, Rocket Launcher and Plasma Rifle.
• Take on hordes of challenging enemies and bosses featuring distinct attacks and behaviors.
• Experience four diverse maps that sync to the music with lively art design.

 

Support us below!

Going to Ultra Con 2023? Grab this deal!

Bonelab - Strap on your VR headset and get prepared for one wild ride!

 

BONELAB
Sentenced to death, you embody an outcast escaping fate. Discover a pathway to a hidden underground research facility. A series of challenging experiments and discoveries await. A road to the truth calls from the void.

Physics to the core
Boneworks' realistic physics systems are fully improved and polished. Interact with the game world with consistent confidence.

Visceral VR combat
Using a variety of ranged, melee, and exotic physics weapons, engage enemy encounters with an entire armory at your disposal.

Be anyone you want
Custom avatar importing enables you to play through the game looking however you want, with physical stats to match.

Layered Narrative
After discovering an underground lab in MythOS city, you will have access to a variety of game locations including arenas, obstacle courses, tactical trials, sandboxes, experimental modes, and user-generated levels. Collecting items, avatars, and clues from these locations enable you to progress through the mysterious story.

游戏开始！

Support us below!