Tears of Metal, a new PC title from Paper Cult, merges the mass-slaughtering action of Dynasty Warriors with roguelike mechanics and a distinctly Scottish theme. Players step into the boots of William Wallace or other unlockable characters, tasked with defending their homeland from demonic invaders across procedurally generated battlefields. The game launched today in early access.
At its core, Tears of Metal emulates the familiar gameplay loop of its musou inspirations. Players face off against hundreds of enemy soldiers, dispatching them with a variety of attacks and combos while also confronting more powerful captains and bosses. The developers at Paper Cult have focused on achieving a delicate balance in combat: it needs to be satisfyingly overwhelming without becoming a mindless slog, offering constant challenges while allowing players to feel powerful. Initial impressions suggest they have succeeded, with basic attacks feeling responsive and impactful, and deeper mechanics like heavy attacks and combos adding a welcome layer of strategy.
Strategic Engagements and Roguelike Progression
A key differentiator from traditional Dynasty Warriors titles is Tears of Metal's roguelike structure. Each playthrough presents a fresh campaign on randomly selected maps, populated with different enemies, shopkeepers, random events, and bosses. As players progress through battles within a single run, they can acquire magical abilities and perks that enhance their combat effectiveness. These power-ups can range from area-of-effect spells that decimate groups of foes to tactical abilities that manipulate enemy formations.
An Army at Your Command
Beyond personal combat prowess, Tears of Metal allows players to build and command an army of soldiers. These units can be upgraded between battles and deployed strategically during combat. For instance, sending a wave of swordsmen to overwhelm a difficult captain or calling in a charge of spearmen to disrupt enemy ranks adds a significant tactical dimension to the hack-and-slash action. These army mechanics are described as a satisfying element that never gets old.
Challenging Encounters and Replayability
The game does not shy away from difficulty, with early runs likely to be punishing for new players. Healing resources are scarce and expensive, making boss encounters particularly tense. One notable challenge highlighted is a boss fight set on a battlefield devoid of any healing opportunities, where a few missed dodges or parries can lead to substantial health loss. However, the roguelike nature of the game mitigates the sting of failure. Each battle is relatively brief, and successful runs can conclude quickly, especially with a well-optimized character build. Upon death, players retain resources that can be used to permanently improve their character or army, making subsequent attempts more manageable. For those seeking assistance, Tears of Metal also features cooperative multiplayer for up to three additional players.
The game’s visual presentation, with its comic book art style, coupled with its energetic soundtrack and engaging combat, creates a compelling loop that encourages repeated playthroughs. Despite the current challenges with healing and boss difficulty, Tears of Metal is positioned as a highly recommended title for fans of action games seeking a unique blend of hack-and-slash combat and roguelike replayability.