GamesAdventureThis Metroidvania had my curiosity after boasting of an Elden Ring-sized map, now it has my attention after showing off some slick JRPG and Soulslike elementsWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
GamesAdventureThis Metroidvania had my curiosity after boasting of an Elden Ring-sized map, now it has my attention after showing off some slick JRPG and Soulslike elementsWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Winter Crew)
I was getting some JRPG vibes from Fallen Tear’s party system, and it turns out it’s even more reminiscent than I thought. Shapeshifting protagonist Hira encounters a range of “Fated Bond” characters who will join your party once you clear their recruitment quest. In this case, rather than a selection of on-field fighters, your party is essentially a bunch of backup singers who’ll pop out to do a quick solo when you map them to one of your four ability slots. (Apparently there are 23 combinations of characters, and I’m not entirely sure if the dev means that there are 23 individual Fated Bonds.) You’re always playing as Hira, but the Fated Bonds you bring with you can affect combat and exploration in what seems like a big way.
Winter Crew notes that not all Fated Bonds affect combat – helping some characters will open up map-unveiling towers, for instance – and those that do may do so in different ways. The game’s 150+ enemies have elemental weaknesses, so the fiery ability of Bjorn the Chef deals extra damage to a fire-weak boss called the Shroom Lord. It sounds like a fun balance of skills, buffs, debuffs, and direct attacks, with Fated Bonds adding another level of customization beyond the multiple skill trees available to Hira.
This is a small point, but I’m also immensely relieved to see that, based on this footage, bosses don’t have persistent damage hitboxes, meaning you aren’t punished for bumping into them. That’s a pet peeve of mine in 2D games, so this is a load off my mind for this one.
Fallen Tear: The Ascension continues to look lovely, and director Stephen Manalastas tells me it’s targeting all platforms.
This dark fantasy Metroidvania hooked me in 30 seconds, and some other people too since it’s 285% Kickstarter funded after 3 days.
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GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2
Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3
Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
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Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
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Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
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3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
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4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4
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5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5
Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
1
Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2
Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
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Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
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4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4
Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5
Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”