Phantom Tower entered early access on Steam after four years of development by a two-person team. The game is positioned as a Hack and Slash roguelike, offering eight classes, elemental reactions, and procedurally generated dungeons, and is sold for 59.99 Brazilian Reais with a starting discount.
Phantom Tower is an RPG in the Roguelite genre, combining Hack and Slash elements with randomly generated dungeons. The game was released in early access on Steam on July 13, 2026, and is also available on Android and iOS in a free version with purchases. The main idea is to ascend a mysterious ancient tower that promises wealth, glory, or power to those who dare to climb it. However, the developers do not focus on a complex storyline with cutscenes or character arcs; the story is revealed through the environment, lore fragments found in dungeons, and the mystery of the upper levels, which is considered sufficient for a roguelike.
Among the merits are the functionality and responsiveness of the controls on PC. Special abilities combine dynamically and smoothly. The game offers eight classes with unique skills and different gameplay styles. An interesting feature is the reactions that occur when combining different elements in attacks. The system of blessings and upgrades, which have both advantages and disadvantages, gives the game a special charm. Furthermore, there are many options for crafting and character improvement, as well as a large amount of equipment with various enhancements.
Critics point to a very small and unappealing interface. Attacks and movement feel slow, especially with a large number of enemies and damage dealt. Even in the paid version, the game requires significant grinding due to the high cost of all items. The system is complex and insufficiently explained within the game itself. The faces seem empty, uninspiring, and lacking substantial differences. The inventory is extremely limited, considering the number of items and equipment found.
Phantom Tower successfully handles the most important aspects of the genre—combat and progression. Although the art style is simple, it has individuality, and the initial tutorials are short enough not to disrupt the pace. The absence of attempts to create excessive narrative works in the game's favor. The combat system, based on three upgradeable character skills, functions well and meets expectations, providing variety and dynamism through good interaction between abilities. Blessings received at the end of each floor provide passive skills or stat improvements. There is a large selection of such blessings, including attacks, and each choice brings noticeable benefit to the character. Progression through crafting and upgrades rewards every attempt. Skill upgrades, chosen from three options, usually come with a plus and a minus, creating an interesting contrast and presenting the player with a difficult choice. In the city, NPCs allow players to improve equipment and the character itself using resources gathered in dungeons. New classes can also be obtained, and equipment can be created and purchased, which aligns with the classic roguelike cycle, implemented satisfactorily here.
The controls in the game are simple and effective: movement is done with the keyboard, while attacking and interacting with NPCs and menus is done with the mouse. Overall, the movements are responsive, and the number of keys does not cause confusion in gameplay. Performance remained stable throughout the entire gameplay; no frame rate drops or smoothness issues were observed. Additionally, loading times are fast, supporting the game's rhythm.
Nevertheless, Phantom Tower has persistent problems that become apparent as the game progresses. The main issue is the slow pacing and excessive grinding. The movement and attack mechanics are too slowed down, making fights unnecessarily drawn out. Similarly, obtaining basic equipment requires hours of resource gathering, and unlocking all eight classes requires spending a lot of time accumulating funds. The interface and phases demonstrate amateur design, which breaks immersion. The menus and HUD on PC are very small and simple, giving the impression of an unprofessional product. Moreover, the levels are empty because all rooms look the same, leading to monotony and a lack of sense of progression. Despite the interesting art style, the animations need refinement; slow hits and the feeling of a 'stalled' floor enhance the overall sense of sluggishness. Mechanics are poorly explained: the interesting element reaction mechanic is not adequately clarified in either the tutorials or the menu. It is unclear how elements apply to enemies, what their benefit is, or how they relate to skills and weapons. The same applies to the crafting system, buffs, and secondary stats. A large number of elements without sufficient explanations is a serious drawback in a roguelike, where every build decision is critical.
Phantom Tower is an RPG with attractive foundations, such as elemental reactions, blessings with real trade-offs, and eight different classes. However, slow combat, disproportionate grinding, and empty level design diminish the experience before the game can show its full potential. For the price of 59.99 Brazilian Reais in early access, this is a risk that requires patience. The game may appeal to those accustomed to mobile games and tolerant of in-development projects, but those seeking a polished roguelike should consider other options in the same price range.
The game is available on PC, Android, and iOS platforms. The developer and distributor is Horien Studio. Early access is scheduled for July 13, 2026. Genre: Action RPG. The game does not support multiplayer and has an 'Free' age rating.
In July 2026, several technological devices captured the market's attention, ranging from gaming accessories to innovations in visualization and image capture.
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This product shares similarities with the DJI Osmo, which has already surpassed 10 million units sold. However, the Insta360 Luna Ultra has two significant advantages: a detachable control and two lenses, one of which features 12x zoom functionality. It is worth noting that DJI is currently investigating Insta360, accusing it of plagiarizing the Osmo. Recently, DJI also introduced a dual-lens model, the Osmo Pocket 4P.
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The FlexStrike operates wirelessly and guarantees low latency, measured at only 4 milliseconds, a crucial factor in games requiring quick reactions. It comes with a carrying case and is already marketed in Brazil for an average price of R$ 1,500, while its cost in the United States is US$ 200.
