Tears of Metal has felt like a hit long before today’s launch. Between Steam Next Fest, months of playtests, and a demo that attracted more than 250,000 players, Paper Cult’s co-op action roguelike has become one of the year’s most anticipated indie releases. Now, after months of waiting, it’s finally available in Early Access on Steam and the Microsoft Store.
One look at the battlefield explains why so many players have been eager to jump in. You’re not clearing tiny rooms one enemy at a time. You’re charging headfirst into enormous medieval battles where dozens of enemies swarm the screen, allies fight alongside you, and every run becomes another desperate attempt to push a little deeper into a war-torn version of Scotland.
Bigger Battles Than Most Roguelikes Dare Attempt
Tears of Metal isn’t interested in slow, methodical dungeon crawling. Every expedition throws you into fast-moving skirmishes where you’ll rescue clan members, recruit companions, unlock powerful Emblems, and slowly transform your warrior into something capable of surviving overwhelming odds.
Whether you’re playing solo or with up to three friends, every victory opens the door to new upgrades, stronger equipment, and permanent village improvements that make future runs even more ambitious. Like any great roguelike, the thrill comes from discovering combinations you never planned for, then watching them snowball into something ridiculously powerful.
It’s chaotic in all the right ways, but there’s enough long-term progression underneath the action to keep every run feeling worthwhile.
A Studio That Already Knows Action
Paper Cult isn’t new to building popular titles. The Montreal-based independent studio first released the local multiplayer puzzler Fat Mask in 2017 before following it up with the critically acclaimed action game Bloodroots in 2020, a title celebrated for its frantic combat and inventive use of the environment as a weapon.
You can see that experience carrying over into Tears of Metal. While the setting and structure are completely different, the same emphasis on fluid movement, satisfying combat, and keeping players constantly on the offensive is woven throughout the game. This time, though, Paper Cult has wrapped those ideas around a roguelike progression system and four-player co-op, creating its most ambitious project to date.
The Early Access version already includes multiple Acts, three playable heroes, permanent village progression, companions, equipment, and plenty of opportunities to experiment with different builds. Paper Cult has also outlined plans for regular updates throughout Early Access, with new heroes, companions, equipment, balance changes, and additional content arriving over the coming months.
One of the Year’s Biggest Launches Has Arrived
There have been plenty of excellent roguelikes released this year, but very few have generated this kind of excitement before launch.
Tears of Metal has spent months proving it isn’t just another promising indie. It already has a huge community behind it, an enormously successful demo, and the kind of large-scale co-op battles that immediately separate it from the crowd.
If you’ve been waiting to see what all the excitement has been about, you don’t have to wait any longer. One of 2026’s biggest roguelike launches is finally here. You can check out prices and global launch times here.