TowerFall Ascension

TowerFall Ascension is a local archery fighting game for up to four people. Archers face off against each other with a few arrows in compact pixel-graphic arenas. Anyone who correctly reads their opponents' shots, jumps and dodges has the best chance of winning the match. A cooperative Quest mode complements the duels.

TowerFall Ascension was released on Mar 11, 2014 for PC and PS4. The Xbox One version followed on Jan 25, 2017. The expanded TowerFall version with content from Ascension and Dark World, plus new multiplayer features, was released on Nintendo Switch on Sep 27, 2018.

TowerFall Ascension is available for PC and PS4. An Xbox One version followed in 2017. The Switch version has the shorter title TowerFall and includes extra content. On Windows, the game also supports macOS and Linux systems via separate PC downloads. Playing on Xbox Series X|S through backward compatibility is not a standalone native Series version. On Oct 29, 2026, the developer confirmed the removal of the title from the Xbox store.

In each round, participants try to hit each other with arrows or jump onto each other's heads from above. Arrow supplies are limited. Fired arrows can be retrieved from walls and the ground. Jumps and dodge rolls help you avoid attacks, but every action also opens up windows for attacks.

Dark World adds new fighters, areas, arrow types and an expanded co-op mode to the original Ascension. On PC, the expansion is sold separately. It is already included in the Nintendo Switch package.

For Windows, Steam lists minimum requirements of an Intel Core i3 M380, 2 GB RAM, Intel HD 4000, DirectX 10 and 400 MB of free storage. macOS and Linux are also supported on Steam. The current Steam client requires at least Windows 10 on Windows.

Ascension includes 120 multiplayer arenas. Narrow platforms, height differences and different movement paths change the tactics. Variants allow additional restrictions or special rules, so duels play out very differently without new archer combinations.

Treasure chests can contain shields, wings, special arrow types and other power-ups. Drill arrows pierce walls, while other projectiles change their trajectory. The best players don't just attack themselves, they sometimes catch arrows straight out of the air.

Quest mode lets one or two players team up against monsters and enemy archers. It offers an alternative to direct duels and guides you through several stages. On Nintendo Switch, co-op mode supports up to four participants.

The regular versus mode is designed for playing together on one screen. On PC, Steam Remote Play Together can be used to share a local match over the internet. It is not the same as a standalone public online matchmaking feature.

TowerFall for Nintendo Switch supports up to six players in local matches. The version includes Ascension and Dark World, new widescreen arenas and variants. Madeline and Badeline from Celeste can be selected as additional archers. Co-op mode on Switch supports up to four people.

Each character has a unique look, but the core mechanics are open to everyone. Unlockable archers and hidden content expand the selection. In the Switch version, two well-known characters from Celeste are also added.

Apart from multiplayer duels, TowerFall offers its own trials and Quest mode. These scenarios focus on accuracy, movement and making the most of limited resources. Against human opponents, the timing of shots and dodges is key.

The PC version uses English on-screen text. TowerFall mainly relies on icons, movements and short hints. Local multiplayer matches require a suitable controller for each participant, and on Switch, multiple Joy-Cons or other supported input devices.

TowerFall was created by Maddy Thorson and became accessible to a wider audience through the Ascension re-release. The developers later worked on Celeste, whose characters Madeline and Badeline eventually also appeared in the Switch version of TowerFall.