Crowsworn for Windows

Victorian-inspired Metroidvania game for PC

Crowsworn is a premium action game for PC by game developer Mongoose Rodeo. It's a Metroidvania-style platformer set in a stylish and beautifully presented Victorian backdrop. In it, players will be going on a perilous journey to uncover the truth behind a dark curse that befell the land.

Similar to Hollow Knight and Ori and the Will of the Wisps, Crowsworn offers fast-paced and challenging action and platforming. Players will explore a vast interconnected world filled with a variety of enemy types to face. They will unlock skills and upgrades, as well as ancient artifacts to help them in their battles.

Is it any good?

Crowsworn is set in that land of Fearanndal that has mysteriously fallen to a dark curse. Having its people vanish without a trace, the once vibrant kingdom is now plagued with sightless creatures from the things of nightmares. Being one of the last few remaining, you set on a dangerous mission to uncover the truth of what happened, while slaying anyone or anything that stands in your way.

The game features a large interconnected world filled with more than 120 unique enemies and over 30 bosses to defeat. As you progress, you will unlock skills and upgrades to strengthen your character and allow for deadly combos that will be crucial for the battles to come. You can even equip runes and customize and combine them for a variety of different effects and bonuses.

On top of its main story campaign, there will be over a dozen side quests that you can take on if you want to dive deeper into the game's lore. Suffice to say, it offers plenty of interesting things. Unfortunately, it's not out yet and there is no exact date for its official release either. You can check with its official Steam page for regular news and updates, though.

Game demo

The game feel is refined, with responsive controls and fluid animations that contribute to a satisfying combat experience. The attention to detail extends to the audio design, with immersive sound effects that enhance the sense of being in a fantastical world.

One of the standout features of the Crowsworn demo is its unorthodox difficulty curve. It has taken a bold approach by designing a difficulty progression that starts familiar and ramps up significantly as players delve deeper. This unique design not only keeps players engaged but also serves as an insightful experiment to gauge player adaptability and provide valuable data for the final game's difficulty balancing.

The demo introduces players to a standalone level that won't be featured in the final game. While this may seem puzzling at first, it serves the purpose of allowing players to experience a well-crafted environment without spoilers for the main storyline.

As players progress through the demo's increasing difficulty, they'll discover the importance of customization and exploration. Secrets and powerups are strategically placed to aid players in overcoming the challenges that lie ahead. This mechanic not only encourages thorough exploration but also gives players a taste of how they can tailor their abilities to conquer diverse enemies and situations.

Overflowing with style

In a genre where it seems like every new game is trying to put its own spin into the Metroidvania formula, Crowsworn manages to stand out. It's thanks in no small part to its stylish presentation and slick combat. Its setting and narrative is rather intriguing, too, making you want to delve deeper. It's definitely a title worth checking out when it releases.