There are games that require you to install tens of gigabytes of data, and there are others where all you need is a browser and a few spare minutes. Krucza Wieża falls into the latter category, though it is certainly no ordinary, simple browser game. It is a Polish fantasy MMO in which you create your own hero, develop their skills, acquire equipment, battle enemies, compete against other players and gradually uncover more elements of the world. The most important objective remains the mysterious Black Needle – a massive tower standing 150 storeys tall, which for many players will become the main measure of their progress.
The World of the Raven Tower
The game’s story is set in the world of Alzor, and one of the most important locations is Val’Gard – a city situated at the foot of the Black Spire. It is here that the player’s adventure begins. A mysterious Mist also appears in the game world, sweeping in from the north, and as the character develops, we discover new locations, enemies and challenges. The storyline does not attempt to overwhelm the player with lengthy descriptions, but serves as a backdrop to the actual gameplay and the ascent through the tower’s floors.
First, you need to decide who your character will actually be. You can choose from five races – Human, Elf, Orc, Dwarf and Vesperian – and then one of the available classes. We can opt for the resilient Knight, the Assassin focused on delivering powerful blows, the Mage who wields magic, the Archer who fights from a distance, or the Paladin who combines defence and healing. Your choice of class is important for your future progression, as each has its own specialisations and skills. As you level up, new progression options become available, including the Raven’s Rosette, class skills and subclasses accessible at higher levels.
Character development and day-to-day gameplay
The game is centred around Expeditions, during which the hero battles successive opponents and gains experience, gold and equipment. The combat system operates automatically – once a battle begins, the server calculates its outcome, taking into account, amongst other things, attacks, blocks, dodges, critical hits and healing. This allows the player to focus primarily on preparing their character, choosing the right equipment and planning their future development. Items obtained can be used, sold or upgraded, and over time you’ll unlock further systems, such as the Forge, Runes and the Bestiary.
However, Krucza Wieża is not limited to battling computer-controlled opponents. Players can also head to the Arena, where they can test their skills against other players. The game’s economy is also a key feature – trade, the Marketplace and the Bank allow you to use the resources you’ve acquired in ways other than simply going on further expeditions. As your hero progresses, further elements of the game are unlocked, including the Brotherhood, the Tower Camp, the Farmstead, the Guard Post, Expeditions and Dungeons. As a result, the gameplay, which is simple at first, gradually becomes increasingly complex.
However, the Black Spire remains the most distinctive feature. Its 150 floors give the player a very specific goal and provide a clear direction for character progression. Each successive floor requires increasingly better preparation, appropriate stats and equipment. Importantly, reaching the summit does not necessarily mean the end of the adventure. Once you’ve reached the 150th floor and met the level requirements, the Prestige system becomes available. It allows you to start your progression from level one, whilst retaining some of your previous achievements and gaining permanent bonuses. In practice, this means that even reaching the highest floor can mark the beginning of the next stage of the game.
The game is available without installation
One of the greatest advantages of Krucza Wieża is its accessibility. You don’t need a powerful computer or a client taking up several gigabytes to start playing – all you need is a web browser. An Android version is also available, and your character can be used across different devices. This fits in well with the nature of the game, as Krucza Wieża allows for both short sessions throughout the day and longer-term planning of your character’s development.
The game is available for free, and its PSS currency system has been designed primarily with convenience and additional features in mind, without the need to pay for basic character progression. This means you can start your adventure without spending any money and see for yourself whether this style of gameplay suits you.
Krucza Wieża may particularly appeal to those who enjoy browser-based RPGs, gradual character progression, acquiring increasingly better equipment, and long-term goals. It’s a game you can pop into for a few minutes to undertake new quests, yet it offers enough systems to allow for more deliberate planning of your character’s development as you progress.
The 150 storeys of the Black Needle await. You can treat Krucza Wieża as a short browser-based adventure, but you can also delve much deeper into it – develop your character, battle other players, trade, join a Guild and see just how high you can climb. It is precisely this simplicity of getting started, combined with an extensive system for further progression, that is one of the game’s most interesting features.
Ready to start your climb? Create a character, choose your class, set off on your first expeditions and see how high you can get. Play Krucza Wieża and begin your adventure in Alzor!
