Winter Crew and CMD Studios have unveiled a new playable demo and trailer for their upcoming hand-animated sidescrolling Metroidvania, Fallen Tear: The Ascension. The game is set to officially launch on PC via Steam and consoles in Q1 2026.

The demo, released today, introduces players to the richly drawn world of Raoah through the eyes of Hira, a mysterious young boy on a quest to recover lost memories. This early look serves as a self-contained prologue, offering 1–2 hours of gameplay that includes exploration, boss battles, and the chance to form initial connections with key characters according to a press release. 

At the core of Fallen Tear’s gameplay is the “Fated Bonds” system, a JRPG-inspired mechanic that allows Hira to recruit allies who grant him unique Talents. These abilities not only enhance combat but also expand the game’s platforming and puzzle-solving potential, creating new ways to traverse Raoah’s expansive environments.

The prologue features a section of Raoah’s open world, with players able to explore the Castle area—a glimpse into what developers are calling “the Elden Ring of Metroidvania in terms of map size.” As Hira unlocks Ascension Abilities, new paths open in a living map that evolves in response to player actions.

The demo also teases deeper story elements, including visions of a powerful Overgrowth form and its possible link to the land’s divine entities. As Hira uncovers more about his past and the world’s ancient conflicts, he’ll encounter new allies, enemies, and hidden truths.

The newest trailer for the game unveils some of this new content, showcasing characters such as Lenela, Trystan, Nesta, Cadel, Magnus, Dagoth, Primorin, Sendrin, Korin, Durin, Zosrin, Kinoro, Demir, Enid, Gwinri, Gunnar, Runa, and Idris. Four gods were also revealed: Haslan the Earth God, Ymara the Fire Goddess, Siv the Wind Goddess, and Evan the Water God. Each character featured unique character designs, gameplay mechanics, and story beats showcasing the depth of the game, working in tandem with its unique art style. 

CMD Studios founder Stephen Manalastas commented on the importance of the “Fated Bonds” mechanic, stating, “The prologue demo represents a 95% complete slice of Fallen Tear. More polishing, full voice acting, cinematics, and further area development will be seen in the full game.”