Tears of Metal is a medieval hack-and-slash co-op roguelike set on a war-torn island reclaimed from invading forces. Players take control of Scottish warriors who battle through large-scale encounters while managing a growing battalion of troops. The core loop centers on repeated campaigns that mix fast-paced combat against hordes with roguelite progression systems, allowing permanent improvements to soldiers and the home settlement between runs.
Gameplay
Combat unfolds in third-person perspective across expansive battlefields where players carve through waves of enemies using wide-reaching attacks and powerful abilities. Each run emphasizes front-line action with explosive combinations drawn from artifacts and upgrades collected during play. Heroes unleash increasingly lethal strikes while rallying troops that handle supporting roles on the field.
Artifacts number over one hundred and combine in varied ways to shape distinct builds, altering attack patterns and power synergies on every attempt. Multiple playable heroes offer different starting strengths and move sets that evolve with chosen equipment. Between campaigns, soldiers earn experience that unlocks lasting skills, though fallen troops are permanently lost and must be replaced through recruitment.
Settlement expansion provides access to new vendors and upgrade paths that carry forward across runs. Special objectives scattered through the environments reward additional artifacts, characters, and permanent bonuses, encouraging exploration of the handcrafted maps.
Game Modes
The primary experience consists of solo or co-op campaigns that can involve up to four players. Runs take place across more than forty-five handcrafted environments filled with varied objectives and enemy placements that create fresh scenarios each time. Co-op allows friends to join the same campaign for shared progress and combined firepower against the invasion forces.
Difficulty scales through optional challenges unlocked via settlement upgrades, offering greater rewards for those who complete them. No separate competitive or versus modes exist; all play revolves around cooperative or single-player reclamation efforts tied to the central roguelite structure.
Progression and Builds
Each campaign run serves as a self-contained battle sequence where players gather upgrades and artifacts to survive deeper into enemy territory. These temporary gains layer onto permanent soldier advancements and settlement improvements that persist across attempts. The system rewards experimentation with artifact combinations to create devastating synergies suited to different hero choices and troop compositions.
Recruitment and training of the battalion add a management layer, as stronger units provide better support during intense horde fights. Loss of key soldiers forces adaptation on subsequent runs, keeping the loop engaging through both short-term power spikes and long-term army development.
Is It Worth Playing?
Tears of Metal entered Early Access on July 22, 2026, and remains a work in progress that may evolve before any full release. The current version delivers satisfying hack-and-slash combat and meaningful roguelite progression that appeals to players who enjoy large-scale battles and build experimentation. Early feedback highlights the fun of combining artifacts, the impact of permanent soldier upgrades, and the appeal of co-op runs through the Scottish-themed battlefields.
It suits fans of action roguelikes who accept the unfinished state and want to contribute feedback during development. Those seeking polished, complete experiences may prefer to wait for further updates, while players comfortable with ongoing changes will find a solid foundation of horde-clearing action and strategic depth already present.
