Stario: Haven Tower Turns Survival Into a Vertical City-Building DreamWhat if humanity’s future wasn’t sprawled across continents but
- Braheim Gibbs
- Sep 19
- 2 min read
stacked toward the sky? That’s the central question behind Stario: Haven Tower, a post-apocalyptic city builder launching in Steam Early Access on September 25, 2025. Instead of expanding outward, players climb ever higher, guiding humanity’s last survivors—the “Towertizens”—in their quest to rebuild civilization one floor at a time.
Building Humanity’s Last Hope
The story begins after a cataclysm nearly wipes out human civilization. Prophecy declares that only by constructing a colossal tower reaching into the heavens can humanity reclaim its glory. It’s an ambitious mission: seven Miracle Towers that serve as both monuments of resilience and vital lifelines for survival.
But survival won’t come easy. Every floor of your tower demands resources, goods, and planning. And as your Towertizens climb farther from the earth, disasters grow fiercer, and supply chains stretch thin.
Beauty Amid Disaster
One of Stario’s most striking qualities is its balance of post-apocalyptic grit with a surprisingly pastoral aesthetic. Each biome feels alive and distinct:
Mist Zones shimmer with Jellyfish Quartz.
Rain Zones harbor Manta Rays that provide rare materials.
Frost, Sandstorm, Clear Skies, and Starry Night biomes each bring unique ecosystems and challenges.
The result is a world that’s as dangerous as it is breathtaking.
Vertical Strategy With Depth
Unlike traditional city builders that sprawl outward, Stario focuses entirely on vertical construction. But stacking floors is just the beginning. Players must manage:
Resource Flow: Each floor stores goods independently. Carriers shuttle items between levels, but slow logistics often mean bottlenecks or shortages.
Technology & Layouts: Unlock advanced systems to optimize your supply chains and experiment with efficient tower designs.
Ecosystem Bonuses & Recipes: Craft intricate goods and leverage environmental advantages to fuel growth.
Rituals, Wonders, and More
Early Access isn’t just about survival mechanics—it introduces powerful new systems that redefine play:
Miracle Towers: Monumental wonders that grant unique benefits and embody human resilience.
Rituals: Thirteen unique rituals that provide buffs and new strategies.
Structural Options: Diagonal braces and frameworks to customize your tower’s look and stability.
Turtle Port: Trade between towers for expanded economies.
Towertizens Wishboard: Fulfill citizen requests to raise morale and earn special rewards.
With over 70 buildings, 50 recipes, six biomes, and four natural disasters, Stario offers more than just a city builder—it’s a vertical odyssey.
Inspirations That Reach the Sky
The developers cite influences ranging from Ted Chiang’s Tower of Babylon to Tsutomu Nihei’s Tower Dungeon, along with the limitless creativity of Minecraft and real-world visions of vertical megastructures. That mix of literature, manga, gaming, and architecture shapes Stario into more than a survival sim. It’s about resilience, hope, and imagination in the face of collapse.
When and Where to Play
Stario: Haven Tower launches into Steam Early Access on September 25, 2025, priced at $13.99 USD (with a launch discount of $12.59 for the first two weeks). The Early Access version includes the full progression from level 13 onward, the complete tech tree, and even the story’s conclusion.
For fans of city builders who crave something ambitious and fresh, Stario offers a new challenge: building not across the land, but toward the heavens.
Question for you: Would you rather face the chaos of expanding outward—or take on the challenge of climbing skyward with your people?