DaRmaZat The indie scene is packed with roguelikes, but I cannot recall one where you actually take part in a Scottish war for freedom. With Tears of Metal, a co-op hack-and-slash roguelike launching in Early Access, Paper Cult combines battalion management with good old bloody action, placing you in the role of both the mastermind strategist and the frontline executor.
Of course, the iconic Highlands are the first region available in Tears of Metal, as it simply had to be. Later, The Mire and The Scar follow, each containing handcrafted medieval locations where battles take place, including menhir-covered fields, picturesque villages, pitch-black graveyards, ruins, and more. Because fighting is exactly what you will constantly be doing as a Hero, under the most brutal circumstances. The Early Access build currently features three playable Heroes, each with their own strengths and weaknesses, allowing you to approach these battles in different ways. Truth be told, not every location feels equally unique, but you are obviously not here to go sightseeing and familiarise yourself with the rich history the Scottish lands have to offer.
No, it immediately becomes clear that Tears of Metal is built around a very straightforward extraction loop: defeat all enemies on the randomized sandbox battlefield while pursuing sub-objectives that each provide rewards for the following run. But that principle does not make the game easy, as you will face dozens of regular and shielded infantry units, as well as Captains and spear-wielding Elites, with their bosses serving as the final challenge that must be taken down alongside your troops. Whether you win or lose a battle, you still claim rewards, unlock Heroes, and Ally Commanders, each bringing their own benefits to the battlefield, gradually making your entire battalion stronger. Between runs, you can also expand your village to unlock new shops and permanent upgrades that further improve your forces.
The battles themselves are bloody and brutal, and the combat is mainly designed for quick fingers. Because you need to master a series of button combinations, this is a game best played with a controller. There is currently no manual or automatic enemy locking option available, although I can understand why, as a lock-on system could quickly become a hindrance when dealing with such enormous enemy swarms. The enemy AI is still not completely polished, either, as many opponents simply stand in circles with their swords drawn, waiting for you to approach. It is mainly the sturdier brutes that actually charge towards you with clear intent.
Of course, there is also a tactical layer involved to all this mindless hacking and slashing. That comes into play right from the start with your pre-battle choices, where you select your unlocked Hero and the troops with their commanders – infantry, spearmen, and archers – who will join the fight against the enemy Dragon’s Forces. Each Hero has their own strengths and weaknesses, and you can unlock an Ally Command for them, allowing them to direct their troops more effectively in the heat of battle. After this, a tactical map of the current region loads, where you decide which piece of land to liberate first, while also keeping the Threat Level in mind. This is where the difficulty curve comes into play: simply put, the more battles you win, the tougher the opposition becomes.
Better yet, all your hard-earned upgrades can be paired with over a hundred artifacts, letting you experiment with plenty of unique combat builds. First, clan-based Emblems act as permanent Perks tied to specific elemental themes, allowing you to coat attacks in poison or deal extra Fractile damage following a successful dodge. Meanwhile, Charms offer one-time combat saves, such as absorbing a blow that would otherwise prove lethal. These mechanics add much-needed variety and addictive depth, giving the game’s compact sandbox battles the extra layer of customization they truly need.
On the audiovisual front, I have nothing but praise for Tears of Metal. The Scottish accents in the voice acting are as sublime as they are hilarious, performance is buttery-smooth, the melodic bagpipe-metal soundtrack is phenomenal, and the art style is equally impressive. Unfortunately, there is currently no mid-run save option; only unlocked Heroes, Emblems, Charms, and other progression elements are carried over. This makes the game less suitable for a quick casual session. Hopefully, this changes in the near future. On the other hand, crossplay and the ability to pause while playing solo are welcome additions.
Preliminary Thoughts
Tears of Metal gets off to a promising start with this Early Access launch. The art style is unique, the bagpipe metal absolutely rocks, and the action gameplay feels satisfying, offering a solid sense of progression and variety. Hopefully, a mid-run save option will be added – even if it’s just a save-on-exit feature – and it remains to be seen how diverse future regions and locations will become once they are introduced.
Additional Information
Release Date: July 22, 2026 (Early Access)
Previewed On: PC. Download code provided by the publisher and PR agency.
Developer: Paper Cult
Publisher: Paper Cult
Relevant links: Available via Steam.
