Is Tower of Fantasy Still Popular in 2023?

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

As a long-time gaming enthusiast, I‘ve been following Tower of Fantasy closely since its release. In its first month, ToF gained massive popularity in global markets as an ambitious new open-world RPG for mobile devices. However, the initial hype tapered off in subsequent months amidst some controversy.

Let‘s dig into the latest data to evaluate ToF‘s current standing and what the future could hold for this sci-fi anime-inspired game.

A Promising Start Followed by a Steep Decline

Soon after ToF‘s global launch in August 2022, the game rapidly rose to the top of download charts. Tower of Fantasy peaked at #3 on the US iOS top grossing ranks and saw over 10 million installs worldwide in its debut month.

However, player numbers started dropping soon after.

According to market analyst publications, Tower of Fantasy saw a 95% decrease in its playerbase and an 85% decline in revenue after the initial launch hype faded.

These are concerning figures for ToF completing just its first year. For context, Genshin Impact or other popular gacha RPGs have maintained steadier engagement metrics over time.

So what went wrong? Well…

Bugs, Botched Updates, and Controversies

Tower of Fantasy ran into several execution issues that likely accelerated player drop-offs.

A Rocky Global Launch

The Western launch had multiple bugs like lag, crashes and combat glitches that hampered enjoyment:

"ToF is still quite buggy. The controls could be smoother and attacks feel clunky at times." – GameRefinery review

These technical problems, combined with complaints about repetitive grind and lack of endgame content likely hurt retention.

Backlash Over Monetization & Updates

ToF also faced backlash from players over perceived "greedy" monetization tactics:

  • Confusing matrices of currencies/banners
  • Expensive gacha rates for rare characters
  • Time-limited collab events to drive FOMO

Then the first major content patch 2.0 led to further uproar when the developers prematurely terminated an exclusive character banner two weeks early.

"ToF repeated launch mistakes…Terminating Nemesis banner early dismayed many" – SportsKeeda

These incidents didn‘t inspire player trust and satisfaction.

Can Tower of Fantasy Bounce Back?

Despite the rocky year, I believe Tower of Fantasy still has potential for a comeback with some key changes:

  • Polish and bug fixes: Priority #1 is improving technical quality
  • Fairer monetization: Reduce reliance on FOMO tactics
  • Balanced new content: Focus on steady updates rather than rushed releases

The core of Tower of Fantasy – its anime-inspired VR world, flashy combat and social hubs – is quite appealing and unique. Level Infinite would benefit from taking a page from Genshin‘s playbook and chart a steady, player-focused course rather than bend to shareholder pressures.

Upcoming chapters like artificial island Vera could revive interest if executed well. I‘m cautiously optimistic ToF has a bright future if developers align to community needs. For now, the game seems to be in a holding pattern rather than freefall – time will tell where it goes next!

What‘s your take? Are you still enjoying Tower of Fantasy or have you moved on to newer games?

James K. Dorn, a passionate gamer deeply immersed in the world of video gaming. My journey in gaming is not just about playing; it's about exploring every facet of the games I love. I am particularly fascinated by the intricate worlds of role-playing games like "The Witcher" series and "Elder Scrolls: Skyrim," where every decision shapes the story.

As a strategy game enthusiast, I spend hours devising tactics in games like "Civilization VI" and "StarCraft II," always eager to share my strategies with fellow gamers. I'm also an ardent follower of the ever-evolving landscape of indie games, finding gems like "Hollow Knight" and "Celeste" that offer unique, compelling experiences.

My content isn't just reviews; it's about deep dives into game mechanics, storytelling, and the art of game design. I love dissecting the narratives of games like "The Last of Us" and discussing the innovative gameplay of titles like "Death Stranding."

Being at the forefront of gaming news, I eagerly anticipate and share insights on upcoming releases like the next big open-world adventure or the latest in the "Final Fantasy" series. My goal is to build a community where we not only play games but also appreciate the artistry and effort behind them. Join me in this gaming journey, where every session is an adventure, and every game is a story waiting to be told.

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