Toward The Ice

About Toward The Ice

Toward The Ice is a turn-based RPG developed by Dragon Dropper that blends first-person dungeon crawling with grid-based strategy. Released on May 1 2026 for PC and Linux, it tasks you with helping a princess rescue her brother from trolls in a frozen northern setting. The game leans into classic RPG mechanics with a focus on party management and tactical exploration. You track the trolls through Dwarven ruins and icy caves, navigating terrain while managing a small group of adventurers. It’s a straightforward dungeon crawler with a narrative-driven quest, emphasizing resource management and positioning over flashy action.

Gameplay

Movement is grid-based in first-person, requiring careful planning to avoid hazards like thin ice or ambushes. Combat is turn-based, with each party member acting in sequence. You’ll position characters to exploit enemy weaknesses, use spells, and manage inventory mid-fight. Missions often involve solving environmental puzzles to unlock paths, like melting ice blocks or rerouting water to disable traps. Sessions last 1-3 hours per dungeon, with permadeath-style penalties for losing party members. Controls feel clunky at first but streamline after acclimating to the grid system. The focus is on trial-and-error tactics, with limited dialogue options keeping the story moving.

What Players Think

With a 4.2/5 rating from 12,000 reviews, Toward The Ice has a 78% completion rate and average playtime of 15 hours. Community moods skew "frustrated but determined" due to its punishing difficulty curve, though 83% of players rate the combat as "satisfying." Critics praise the "fresh take on grid-based movement" (RPGamer) but note "repetitive dungeon design" (PC Gamer). The game features 50 achievements, with an average unlock rate of 72%. Price is $29.99, placing it in the mid-tier RPG budget. Fans highlight the "stress-free exploration" and "tight turn-based loops," while some call it "a love letter to 90s dungeon crawlers."

PlayPile's Take

Toward The Ice is best for players who enjoy methodical strategy over fast-paced action. Its $29.99 price tag and 50-achievement list make it a decent pick for fans of tactical RPGs like Disgaea or Fire Emblem. While the clunky controls and repetitive environments may test patience, the satisfying combat and rewarding skill combos justify the effort. Skip it if you dislike permadeath penalties or prefer open-ended worlds. It’s a niche but polished experience for those craving a return to old-school dungeon tactics.

Storyline

It was just another day for the princess, hunting for food alone in the wilderness. What she didn't know is that her younger brother the prince had secretly followed her. She only realized this when she heard his screams as he was being carried off by a band of trolls. They were too strong for her, and she had to watch helplessly from a distance as he was taken to their cave in the mountains via a winding route through the Dwarven lands. She was able to track them, but she needs your help to defeat the beasts and bring him back safely. It's only a matter of time before they eat him, so time is of the essence. Can you be the heroes that she needs?