Review pixelcrypt 4/5 · Feb 7, 2026
Very enjoyable Zelda-like / Metroidvania
Tearscape is the first big Zelda-like of the year and we’re off to a great start. The last one I truly loved was Master Key, and maybe Minishoot Adventures if that counts. This doesn’t quite reach the same heights as those two, but for a fairly simple, soulsy-leaning Zelda-like I expected a lot worse.
That mostly comes down to taste, …
Tearscape is the first big Zelda-like of the year and we’re off to a great start. The last one I truly loved was Master Key, and maybe Minishoot Adventures if that counts. This doesn’t quite reach the same heights as those two, but for a fairly simple, soulsy-leaning Zelda-like I expected a lot worse.
That mostly comes down to taste, as I saw all the reviews equating it to Bloodborne. I’m not a soulslike fan at all, but luckily this game simplifies the mechanics down to a tolerable level for me. No consumables, only 4 stats to worry about, no equipment - just swords, shields, tools, and Paper Mario style badges.
The level design and exploration are done pretty well. I think it needs a few patches though - there’s no fast travel, most biomes only unlock the map near the very end, and the map has no fog of war. The thing that saves it though is unlimited map markers, of which there’s around 6.
Combat is basic but challenging, there’s a few environmental puzzles that are ok, but really what keeps it all together is the atmosphere. It’s got very nostalgic music, the pixel art feels authentic, and the game just all-around feels very competently made. It’s not GOTY for me, but I had a solid time with it and would give it around a 7.2/10.