Stunning Metroidvania Fallen Tear's new demo lets you try its JRPG party system

The enigma of when we'll get to play Hollow Knight Silksong might feel agonizing, but to me it's an opportunity. There are some incredibly strong 2D Metroidvania games that have arrived in recent years, and the next one I have my eye on is Fallen Tear: The Ascension. Built by Winter Crew Studios and published by CMD Studios, it features a JRPG-style party system that delivers combat assists, a vast, sprawling world to explore, and even a soundtrack featuring the work of Dark Souls and Golden Sun composer Motoi Sakuraba. In even better news, there's a new demo you can try now.

Winter Crew Studios lists Elden Ring and Breath of the Wild among its level design influences for Fallen Tear: The Ascension, as well as the secrets of Shadow of the Colossus. The map puts me immediately in mind of some of our best Metroidvanias, such as the magnificent Ori games, something only further amplified by Fallen Tear's beautiful, hand-drawn art and animation. As youthful protagonist Hira, you'll seek out the truth of your mysterious, forgotten past, making choices that influence his fate, those of his companions, and even the state of the world itself.

The people who join you on your adventure are integrated into the Fated Bonds system, which is inspired by classic JRPGs such as Suikoden and Valkyrie Profile. Each member of your retinue brings their own talents to the table, and there's the ability to have them jump in and assist with attacks mid-combat. Their skills complement Hira's own hack-and-slash combos, while their stories unravel various elements of the world.

Hira also learns to use Ascensions, unique powers that can transform the very land of Raoah itself, opening up new paths or revealing hidden secrets. Even more tantalizing are dreams of a power known as Overgrowth, promising the potential to reach a form comparable to that of the wild gods of Raoah. But what could it mean for Hira's past? If all that has you eager to give Fallen Tear a try, you can do so right now.

A new demo has been unleashed that includes approximately 1-2 hours of gameplay, including some early exploration and three boss encounters, as well as a look at the Fated Bonds system and the ability to recruit up to three characters. "The prologue demo represents a 95%-complete slice of Fallen Tear," CMD founder Stephen Manalastas says. "More polishing, full voice acting, cinematics, and further area development will be seen in the full game."

A new Fallen Tear: The Ascension demo is available today, Wednesday June 25. You'll find it right here, where you can also add the full game to your Steam wishlist if you like it. The full game is planned for launch in early 2026.

We've rounded up the best platform games in 2025 for plenty of leaping and climbing action. Be sure to also take a look through our pick of the best indie games on PC today in search of any hidden gems you might have missed.

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