{"id":77209,"date":"2026-08-21T10:01:01","date_gmt":"2026-08-21T14:01:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/overcentral.com\/en\/?p=77209"},"modified":"2026-08-21T10:01:01","modified_gmt":"2026-08-21T14:01:01","slug":"twisted-tower-95-positive-steam-reviews-77209","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/overcentral.com\/en\/twisted-tower-95-positive-steam-reviews-77209\/","title":{"rendered":"Twisted Tower Gets 95% Positive Steam Reviews"},"content":{"rendered":"

Twisted Tower<\/a>, a first-person shooter that wears its BioShock inspirations on its sleeve, has achieved a remarkable 95% positive rating on Steam, a milestone that has taken even its creator completely by surprise. The game<\/a>, which launched on August 18<\/a> after five years of development, invites players to explore a twisted, abandoned resort that evokes the eerie grandeur of a Disney theme park filtered through a horror lens. With nearly 800 user reviews and counting, the title has earned Steam’s coveted “extremely positive” designation, a badge that developer Thomas Brush openly admits he never thought he would see for this project.<\/p>\n

What Is Twisted Tower and Why Is It Drawing BioShock Comparisons?<\/h2>\n

Twisted Tower is a first-person shooter developed by Atmos Games<\/a>, the studio behind the acclaimed titles Pinstripe and Neversong. The game transports players into a derelict resort complex that blends mid-century Americana with grotesque, otherworldly horror. Self-described as a sort of BioShock set within a nightmarish version of Disney parks, the game leans heavily into atmosphere, environmental storytelling, and visceral combat.<\/p>\n

Players navigate through varied levels inspired by 1950s aesthetics, wielding an arsenal that the developers describe as both bloody and delightfully absurd. The weaponry includes toys twisted into instruments of destruction, reinforcing the game’s unsettling juxtaposition of childhood innocence and graphic violence. The abandoned resort setting is not merely a backdrop but a character in itself, with each area revealing fragments of a larger, darker narrative about what happened to the guests and staff.<\/p>\n

The comparison to BioShock is not incidental. Like Ken Levine’s seminal series, Twisted Tower uses a decaying, once-grand environment to explore themes of hubris, corporate malfeasance, and societal collapse. But where BioShock drew from Objectivism and the ruins of Rapture, Twisted Tower draws from the iconography of mid-century theme parks, carnival culture, and the sanitized optimism of 1950s consumerism that hides something far more sinister beneath the surface.<\/p>\n

The 95% Positive Rating: A Closer Look at Steam’s Extremely Positive Designation<\/h2>\n

Steam’s review system is notoriously unforgiving, and achieving a 95% positive rating is statistically rare. The platform uses a straightforward but effective algorithm: when a game accumulates at least 500 user reviews with a positive percentage of 95% or higher, it earns the “extremely positive” label. This designation appears prominently on the game’s store page and signals to potential buyers that the overwhelming majority of players have had a highly satisfactory experience.<\/p>\n

Twisted Tower crossed that threshold with nearly 800 reviews, a figure that represents a statistically significant sample size. For context, many indie games struggle to reach even 100 reviews, and maintaining a 95% approval rating across hundreds of reviews requires a consistency of quality that is difficult to achieve. The rating reflects not just a strong initial impression but sustained positive sentiment over time, as reviews accumulate from both early adopters and later purchasers.<\/p>\n

Thomas Brush, the creator of Twisted Tower, described the moment as surreal. “Steam has this rule that if you reach 500 reviews with 95%<\/a> positive votes, you get the ‘extremely positive’ designation,” he said. “It’s like a gold star that lets you tell your friends you actually made it.” His candid reaction underscores the gap often seen between developer expectations and market reception, particularly for smaller studios working without the safety net of a major publisher.<\/p>\n

Why the Developer Expected Failure and What Changed<\/h2>\n

Brush has been unusually transparent about his lack of confidence heading into launch. “I doubted this project so much that reaching this dream, which I thought was completely out of reach, is truly incredible,” he stated. “I honestly expected my game to fail. A few months ago, the main goal was to release a game that wasn’t embarrassing, and now I think it might actually be good.”<\/p>\n

This level of honesty is rare in an industry where marketing narratives typically emphasize confidence and hype. Brush’s admission reveals the psychological toll that game development can take, particularly on independent creators who invest years of their lives into a single project with no guarantee of success. The five-year development cycle for Twisted Tower meant that Brush and his team at Atmos Games were working in relative obscurity for an extended period, with no external validation until the Steam reviews began rolling in.<\/p>\n

Several factors likely contributed to the game’s eventual success. The extended development time allowed for iterative polish that many smaller games lack. The unique setting \u2014 a cross between BioShock’s decaying grandeur and Willy Wonka’s whimsical menace \u2014 carved out a distinct identity in a crowded market. And the game’s visual style, which pairs 1950s nostalgia with horror elements, created a strong hook for both streamers and reviewers.<\/p>\n

Brush also credited the support he received from his community, particularly through YouTube, where followers helped fund the project during its final stretch. “What matters is that you are enjoying it,” he said, addressing players directly. “This is the game that you all made possible.”<\/p>\n

Atmos Games: The Studio Behind Twisted Tower<\/h2>\n

Atmos Games is not a newcomer to the indie scene. The studio previously developed Pinstripe, a hand-drawn adventure game set in a surreal underworld, and Neversong, a dark musical platformer. Both titles earned critical respect and cultivated a dedicated fan base, but neither achieved the commercial breakthrough that Twisted Tower now represents.<\/p>\n

The evolution from Pinstripe and Neversong to Twisted Tower reflects a deliberate expansion of scope and ambition. Where the earlier games were smaller, more focused experiences, Twisted Tower aims for a broader audience by combining the atmospheric storytelling of those titles with the more mainstream appeal of a first-person shooter. The shift from 2D adventure to 3D FPS is a significant technical and creative leap, and the positive reception suggests that the studio has successfully navigated that transition.<\/p>\n

3D Realms, the publisher behind Twisted Tower, is itself a legendary name in the shooter genre, having published classics like Duke Nukem 3D, Shadow Warrior, and Prey. The partnership with 3D Realms provided Twisted Tower with a level of visibility and distribution support that most indie games lack, and the publisher’s expertise in the shooter genre likely helped refine the game’s combat mechanics and pacing.<\/p>\n

What the 95% Rating Means for Indie Developers on Steam<\/h2>\n

The success of Twisted Tower offers several lessons for indie developers navigating the increasingly competitive Steam marketplace. First, the game’s unique concept provided a clear differentiator. In a storefront that hosts thousands of new releases each year, standing out requires more than solid mechanics \u2014 it requires a compelling premise that can be communicated in a single screenshot or tagline. Twisted Tower’s “BioShock meets Willy Wonka” pitch is immediately evocative and memorable.<\/p>\n

Second, the game’s five-year development cycle, while long by industry standards, allowed for the kind of polish that drives positive reviews. Many indie games launch with rough edges that accumulate negative feedback over time. Twisted Tower appears to have launched in a state that met or exceeded player expectations, resulting in a sustained positive rating rather than a rapid decline.<\/p>\n

Third, the developer’s transparency and engagement with the community built goodwill that translated into sales and reviews. Brush’s willingness to share his doubts and vulnerabilities created a narrative that players could invest in emotionally. When the game succeeded, those players felt a sense of shared accomplishment, which is reflected in both the volume and tone of the reviews.<\/p>\n

Fourth, the partnership with 3D Realms provided a credibility boost that helped the game get noticed. While the publisher’s name alone does not guarantee success, it signals to potential buyers that a certain level of quality control has been applied. For indie developers considering publishing partnerships, the Twisted Tower case suggests that aligning with a publisher that has genre-specific expertise can be a significant advantage.<\/p>\n

The Gameplay Experience: What Players Are Actually Praising<\/h2>\n

While the 95% rating is a numerical indicator of quality, the substance behind that number deserves closer examination. The game features varied levels that move players through different zones of the abandoned resort, each with its own visual identity, enemy types, and gameplay challenges. This variety prevents the monotony that can plague single-setting games and keeps the player engaged throughout the runtime.<\/p>\n

The combat system emphasizes mobility and creativity. The weapon arsenal includes toy-themed implements that behave unpredictably, encouraging players to experiment rather than rely on a single optimal loadout. The blood and gore are presented in a stylized manner that complements the game’s 1950s horror aesthetic rather than feeling gratuitous. The result is a shooter that rewards skill but also allows for moments of chaotic fun.<\/p>\n

The narrative is delivered through environmental storytelling, audio logs, and scripted sequences that gradually reveal the mystery of the resort. Players who appreciated the layered storytelling of BioShock will find a similar approach here, though Twisted Tower carves its own identity through its specific cultural references and thematic concerns. The 1950s setting is not merely cosmetic but informs the game’s critique of mid-century American optimism and the dark underbelly of the era’s consumer culture.<\/p>\n

Enemy design draws from carnival and amusement park iconography, with twisted versions of familiar archetypes \u2014 clowns, mascots, ride operators \u2014 that subvert their original playful connotations. This approach creates a consistent visual language that reinforces the game’s central conceit: a place designed for joy has been corrupted into a theater of horror.<\/p>\n

How Twisted Tower Compares to Other BioShock-Inspired Shooters<\/h2>\n

The BioShock formula has inspired numerous spiritual successors over the years, from Prey to Atomic Heart to We Happy Few. Twisted Tower enters this sub-genre with a distinct angle: where many imitators focus on the systemic gameplay and moral choices of BioShock, Twisted Tower emphasizes atmosphere, setting, and visual storytelling. The result is a game that feels more like a guided experience than a sandbox, which may appeal to players who value narrative momentum over player agency.<\/p>\n

Compared to Atomic Heart, which leaned heavily into Soviet retro-futurism and high-budget production values, Twisted Tower is more intimate and focused. Its scope is smaller, but that allows for tighter pacing and more deliberate environmental design. Where Atomic Heart sometimes overwhelmed players with its scale, Twisted Tower keeps the player oriented within a contained, curated space.<\/p>\n

Compared to We Happy Few, which explored a similar theme of forced happiness in a dystopian setting, Twisted Tower maintains a more consistent tone. We Happy Few struggled with tonal whiplash between its serious themes and its more absurdist elements. Twisted Tower integrates its absurdity \u2014 the toy weapons, the carnival enemies \u2014 into a cohesive vision that never undermines its horror atmosphere.<\/p>\n

The game also benefits from a shorter, more focused runtime than many of its peers. In an era of 60-hour open-world epics, Twisted Tower respects the player’s time by delivering a complete experience without bloat. This restraint is likely one of the factors driving its high review scores, as players are more likely to finish the game and leave a positive review when the experience does not overstay its welcome.<\/p>\n

The Role of Community Support in Twisted Tower’s Development<\/h2>\n

Brush’s acknowledgment of his community’s role in the game’s success is not mere gratitude \u2014 it reflects a genuine shift in how independent games are funded and developed. The final stretch of Twisted Tower’s development was supported by contributions from followers on YouTube, who provided both financial backing and moral support. This model of community-funded development is becoming increasingly common as traditional publishing deals become harder to secure for smaller projects.<\/p>\n

The YouTube community that rallied around Brush did more than just provide money. They acted as playtesters, bug reporters, and evangelists who spread awareness about the game before launch. When the game finally released, that built-in audience generated the initial wave of reviews that pushed the game toward the “extremely positive” threshold. Without that community foundation, it is unlikely that Twisted Tower would have reached the critical mass of reviews needed for Steam’s algorithm to highlight it.<\/p>\n

This symbiotic relationship between creator and community is one of the most significant developments in independent game development over the past decade. Developers who can cultivate an engaged audience during the development process gain a competitive advantage that cannot be replicated through traditional marketing. Twisted Tower’s success is as much a story about community building as it is about game design.<\/p>\n

Steam’s Review System and Its Impact on Game Sales<\/h2>\n

Steam’s review system is not just a feedback mechanism but a primary driver of sales. Games with “extremely positive” ratings receive algorithmic boosts in Steam’s recommendation systems, appear more frequently in search results, and are more likely to be featured in Steam’s various promotional slots. The 95% rating effectively becomes a self-perpetuating marketing asset: high ratings drive sales, which generate more reviews, which maintain the high rating.<\/p>\n

For Twisted Tower, the “extremely positive” badge arrived at a critical moment. The game launched in August, a period that typically sees fewer major releases as the industry prepares for the fall and holiday seasons. This timing allowed Twisted Tower to capture the attention of Steam users who were browsing for something new during a relatively quiet period. The combination of high ratings and favorable timing created a positive feedback loop that elevated the game far beyond its initial expectations.<\/p>\n

The financial implications are significant. Indie games with “extremely positive” ratings can see sales multiples higher than similar games with only “mostly positive” or “mixed” ratings. For Atmos Games, the success of Twisted Tower likely provides the financial stability to begin work on their next project with less risk and more creative freedom. It may also attract interest from publishers and platform holders looking to partner with proven developers.<\/p>\n

What Twisted Tower’s Success Says About the Current Indie Market<\/h2>\n

The indie game market in 2024 and beyond is characterized by extreme competition and high barriers to visibility. Thousands of games launch on Steam every year, and the majority fail to achieve meaningful sales. Against this backdrop, Twisted Tower’s success is instructive about what it takes to break through.<\/p>\n

First, a strong, communicable concept matters more than technical polish or genre familiarity. Twisted Tower’s “BioShock meets Disney” pitch is immediately understandable and intriguing. Second, a long development cycle is not necessarily a disadvantage if it results in a polished, complete experience. Players are increasingly intolerant of buggy, unfinished launches, and the studios that take the time to get it right are rewarded. Third, community engagement during development creates a launch window advantage that is difficult to replicate through advertising alone.<\/p>\n

There is also a lesson about authenticity. Brush’s admission that he expected the game to fail is, paradoxically, part of what made its success so compelling. In an industry dominated by hype and over-promising, honesty stands out. Players appreciate knowing that a game was made by real people with real doubts, and they reward that vulnerability with support.<\/p>\n

Looking ahead, the success of Twisted Tower may encourage more indie developers to pursue ambitious, narrative-driven first-person shooters \u2014 a sub-genre that has been largely ceded to AAA studios in recent years. If a small team like Atmos Games can achieve a 95% rating with a distinctive vision, it opens the door for other indie studios to take similar risks.<\/p>\n

The Future of Twisted Tower and Atmos Games<\/h2>\n

With the strong launch behind them, the question now turns to what comes next for both the game and its developer. Post-launch support, including patches, quality-of-life improvements, and potentially downloadable content, could extend the game’s lifespan and maintain its high review rating. The “extremely positive” designation creates a foundation for long-tail sales, as the game will continue to appear in Steam recommendations for months or even years to come.<\/p>\n

For Atmos Games, the success of Twisted Tower provides leverage for future projects. The studio now has a proven track record, a loyal fan base, and the financial resources to develop more ambitious games. Whether they choose to expand Twisted Tower into a franchise or move on to a new concept, the studio is in a stronger position than at any point in its history.<\/p>\n

Thomas Brush’s personal journey from expecting failure to achieving a 95% positive rating is a reminder that even experienced developers cannot reliably predict how their work will be received. The gap between creator expectations and public reception is often wide, and in this case, it swung dramatically in the developer’s favor. The lesson for other developers is both humbling and hopeful: you never know which project will connect, and sometimes the one you doubt the most is the one that resonates the most deeply with players.<\/p>\n

Twisted Tower is available now on PC via Steam, published by 3D Realms and developed by Atmos Games. For fans of narrative-driven shooters with strong atmospheric identity, it represents one of the most compelling indie releases of the year \u2014 a game that, by its creator’s own admission, exceeded every expectation and then some.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Twisted Tower, a first-person shooter that wears its BioShock inspirations on its sleeve, has achieved a remarkable 95% positive rating on Steam, a milestone that has taken even its creator completely by surprise. The game, which launched on August 18 after five years of development, invites players to explore a twisted, abandoned resort that evokes […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":82756,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cards.overcentral.com\/cards\/en\/77209.png","fifu_image_alt":"Twisted Tower Gets 95% Positive Steam Reviews","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-77209","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-videogames"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cards.overcentral.com\/cards\/en\/77209.png","fifu_image_alt":"Twisted Tower Gets 95% Positive Steam Reviews","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/overcentral.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77209","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/overcentral.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/overcentral.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/overcentral.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/overcentral.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=77209"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/overcentral.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77209\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/overcentral.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/82756"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/overcentral.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=77209"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/overcentral.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=77209"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/overcentral.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=77209"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}