"News Tower" hands-on: So fresh you can smell the ink
Fire up the printing presses! With the newspaper sim "News Tower," Sparrow Night delivers one of the most original and best management games of the year.
(Image: Sparrow Night)
This was an early access phase that paid off. Since February 2024, players could get their hands dirty in the printing ink as aspiring newspaper publishers in "News Tower" until the game was officially released in November 2025. Everything revolves around the art of selling newspapers and successfully managing personnel costs. Anyone who has always wanted to build their own newspaper empire is exactly right here.
Hard times, big headlines
We are in the year 1930. The world is in upheaval, and in the USA, things are starting over after the economic crisis. In "News Tower," players inherit a small newspaper that they must build from scratch to the top. The catch is that here they not only have to pay staff and find stories, but also deal with the mafia, the police, and high society in New York. Being a newspaper publisher is stressful. But who said an empire could be built overnight?
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Doesn't everything look so cute? Relaxing swing music in the background, some city sounds, and reporters walking through the building in a storybook style. The complexity of this management game is hidden in the fine print. Players need a good nose for stories and how to sell the newspaper. They have to hire staff, from reporters to cleaners. Ensure a good working atmosphere, place advertisements, adapt to the tastes of their subscribers, and much more. "News Tower" is a game chunk hidden behind a cuddly exterior.
Journalism on the Edge
News arrives at the editorial office via the telegraph pole. Murder in the backyard? Government crisis? Or perhaps just the local baseball championship? The reporters have a week for their article. Often, the first stage of research unlocks another lead. However, digging deeper takes time. The risk of missing the deadline grows. But ultimately, it is usually rewarded with higher sales figures.
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The good thing is: everything works at the touch of a button. Click on the city map, send out a reporter, and then the waiting begins. If you're rushing, you can fast-forward and watch the reporter return with their story and hand it over to the typesetter before the printing presses roll. However, besides the story, there's plenty to do: order more paper, buy new office equipment, or improve the working atmosphere with a potted plant. If there's no more space, another floor is simply added.
Deadline Stress
There's always something to do. On the district overview map, players can focus entirely on the readers' tastes to earn bonus points. There are districts that prefer sports news or enjoy a bit of gossip. It's practical that every story is tagged with keywords, allowing them to squeeze out a few extra dollars with the right combination.
(5 Bilder)
„News Tower“ angespielt
(Bild:
Heise Medien
)Later, the effort is rewarded not only with higher revenue but also with employee experience. They level up slowly, just like in an RPG. Alternatively, we can hire better staff. Reporters then become stress-tested professionals or unlock new specializations. In addition, players have to deal with various factions like the police or the mafia. Everything has its pros and cons. If all else fails, a loan or a lawyer can help.
"News Tower" gradually unlocks new game mechanics. However, as with any management game, players can lose track. Therefore, it's important to keep a cool head and simply pause the game. Fortunately, there are numerous tips to help build the newspaper empire. Nevertheless, "News Tower" requires a period of adjustment. The effort is rewarded with one of the most original management games of the year. Those who are still hesitant can download the free game demo.
Interim Conclusion
With "News Tower," development studio Sparrow Night has achieved a true surprise hit. The scenario is original, and the gameplay is varied. There is never a standstill; there is always something to do. This will please genre connoisseurs but can frustrate newcomers. When the story isn't finished, the paper runs out, and the employees grumble, it can quickly become overwhelming for players. "News Tower" is a game for fans who are not fooled by the pretty exterior and enjoy immersing themselves for hours in the exciting and complex game mechanics.
"News Tower" is available for Windows, including a free game demo. It costs approximately €25. USK not rated.
(mki)
