Wallace
The starting point for learning the game’s core combat and campaign rhythm.
Independent guide · Updated August 6, 2026
Reclaim the island.
Master every run.
Straight answers and practical guides for Tears of Metal—heroes, Emblems, co-op, crossplay, platforms, and the systems that decide your campaign.
Jul 22, 2026Early Access
1–4 playersSolo / online co-op
3 actsFull progression loop
Medieval co-op roguelike · Developed by Paper Cult
Current status
Available in Early Access on Steam and the Xbox ecosystem. Crossplay is patch-dependent—see the latest verified note below.
Read status →FIELD MANUAL
Pick your next objective
Built around the questions players are searching now—not filler.
START HERE01
Beginner's Guide
Learn the campaign loop, what persists between runs, and which upgrades matter first.
Open guide →3 HEROES02
Characters & Heroes
Meet Wallace, Brienne, and Ruadh—and understand what unlocks during Early Access.
Open guide →STATUS CHECK03
Crossplay Explained
A clear, patch-aware answer for Steam, Microsoft Store, Xbox, and Game Pass players.
Open guide →2–4 ONLINE04
Co-op Guide
How multiplayer campaigns work, how many friends can join, and what to expect.
Open guide →PLATFORMS05
Xbox, Game Pass & PS5
Current availability, confirmed features, and what has not been announced.
Open guide →LIVE GAME06
Patch Notes Tracker
Follow balance changes, multiplayer fixes, new heroes, Emblems, and content drops.
Open guide →01
BEGINNER'S BRIEFING
Your first campaign, simplified
Tears of Metal is a run-based action roguelike. You lead a hero and a Scottish battalion through battlefields, collect Emblems during a campaign, then improve your village and permanent options between runs.
- Learn one hero first.Focus on timing, crowd control, and survival before chasing elaborate synergies.
- Build around what drops.Emblems reward a coherent setup more than a pile of unrelated bonuses.
- Spend for the next attempt.Village upgrades and unlocks turn failed campaigns into forward progress.
HERO ROSTER
Three paths into battle
The launch roster features three playable heroes. More are planned during Early Access, so unlocks and balance can change.
Brienne
An unlockable hero whose quest and progression have received launch-week fixes.
Ruadh
Unlocked after defeating the Banshee in the current documented launch patch.
02
CROSSPLAY STATUS
Is Tears of Metal crossplay?
The game supports cross-platform multiplayer within the Xbox ecosystem, and a launch-day Steam hotfix addressed PC crossplay. However, Steam patch 0.8.57278 temporarily disabled crossplay compatibility on the main branch while the developers worked on multiplayer stability.
Last verified: August 6, 2026. Check the newest official patch before planning a mixed-storefront session.
Check latest patch ↗WHERE TO PLAY
Platforms at a glance
Steam / Windows PC
Released in Early Access on July 22, 2026 with solo and online co-op.
Official Steam page ↗Xbox Series X|S
The Xbox listing supports Series X|S, Xbox Play Anywhere, online co-op, and cross-platform multiplayer.
Official Xbox page ↗PlayStation 5
No official PS5 version has been announced as of this update. Treat third-party release dates as unconfirmed.
KEEP THIS GUIDE ACCURATE
Early Access moves fast.
Builds, unlock requirements, crossplay, and hero balance can change after every patch. This guide separates confirmed facts from community strategy and shows a verification date on time-sensitive answers.
Read official patch notes ↗QUICK ANSWERS
Tears of Metal FAQ
Is Tears of Metal a roguelike?
Yes. It is a medieval hack-and-slash action roguelike built around repeatable campaigns, temporary Emblem synergies, battalion combat, and persistent progression between runs.
How many people can play co-op?
Up to four players can play online co-op. Solo play is also supported.
Is Tears of Metal finished?
It entered Early Access on July 22, 2026. The core three-act progression loop is playable, while Paper Cult plans additional content and improvements.
Is Tears of Metal on PS5?
No PS5 version has been officially announced as of August 6, 2026.
Who makes Tears of Metal?
Tears of Metal is developed and published by the independent studio Paper Cult.