Dark wings, darker mysteries. Crowsworn, the upcoming action-adventure by Mongoose Rodeo, promises a fierce blend of fast combat, deep exploration, and gothic storytelling. Set in a cursed kingdom full of shadows and secrets, this Metroidvania draws on the best of soulslike combat and stylish platforming to forge something both familiar and fresh.
From a small Canadian studio comes a big promise for fans of dark fantasy
Mongoose Rodeo may be a new name in game development, but their vision for Crowsworn is anything but small. The Canadian indie team turned heads with their Kickstarter campaign, raising over one million Canadian dollars thanks to support from players hungry for atmospheric action games. With inspirations like Hollow Knight, Bloodborne, and Devil May Cry, they’re building a dark fantasy Metroidvania that wears its influences proudly while carving out its own identity.
Crowsworn is not just another 2D action-platformer. It’s a game designed with precision. A tale told through silence, scenery, and steel. At its core lies an obsession with polish—tight controls, satisfying feedback, and a world layered with story.
A cursed kingdom wrapped in gothic dread
The world of Fearanndal is not a place for the weak-hearted. Its skies hang heavy with smoke and sorrow. Buildings lean like broken bones. Streets whisper of ruin. This fallen kingdom is where the player awakens—locked inside a coffin with no memory of who they are or how they got there.
The protagonist, draped in plague doctor robes with crow-like features, looks like something pulled from an apothecary’s nightmare. No name, no past—only purpose: uncover the source of the curse that has twisted Fearanndal into decay. The mystery doesn’t unfold through long speeches or exposition dumps; instead, it drips out slowly through eerie locations and grotesque enemies.
For those who remember wandering Yharnam in Bloodborne or navigating the madness of Darkest Dungeon’s dungeons, Fearanndal hits that same nerve: grim beauty paired with dreadful silence. It’s less about hope and more about grit.
Combat that balances grace with brutality
Crowsworn doesn’t hold back when it comes to fighting mechanics. Players wield a sharp scythe for close quarters combat while also firing off twin pistols for ranged attacks. Mastery means knowing when to dodge in close and when to blast from afar.
The combat feels like dancing on knives—fast-paced yet deliberate. Every swing has weight; every shot demands timing. The developers have spent years refining th
ese systems so that each attack feels responsive and tight under pressure.
In one early demo clip shown during development streams, players could be seen flipping between air combos with the scythe and juggling enemies mid-air using pistol shots—a fluid motion reminiscent of Devil May Cry’s stylish freedom mixed with the danger of Bloodborne’s aggression-heavy battles.
Corvian powers fuel strategic choices through risk-reward gameplay
Adding another layer to combat are Corvian powers—magical abilities tied to an energy system called Malice. These powers give players extra tools during fights: explosive blasts, teleports, or other arcane tricks that can turn the tide in moments of chaos.
But there’s a catch: using Corvian magic burns through Malice. To refill it? Players must land melee hits using their scythe. This creates an elegant loop—play aggressive to fuel your spells, then use those spells wisely before closing back in again.
This mechanic makes every encounter feel tactical without slowing things down. There’s no hiding behind shields or waiting out enemies here; Crowsworn pushes players forward into danger—and rewards them for it.
A sprawling world filled with secrets beneath its gloom
Fearanndal isn’t just moody—it’s massive. True to Metroidvania form, its world is one giant puzzle box waiting to be unraveled piece by piece. Players will find hidden rooms behind crumbling walls, climb towers long swallowed by vines, and descend into caverns where sound itself seems afraid to echo.
Movement abilities are key here: double jumps, dashes, wall climbs—all earned over time as players explore deeper into Fearanndal’s ruins. Each new skill opens new routes across old areas, rewarding curiosity and memory alike.
This kind of world design invites exploration not just once but again and again as paths loop back on themselves in surprising ways. Some doors stay locked until much later; some treasures remain unreachable until several upgrades down the line—a structure that encourages both planning ahead and wandering off-course.
Enemies test reflexes while bosses demand mastery
Enemy design in Crowsworn doesn’t settle for cannon fodder. Even basic foes have patterns players must learn—some charge recklessly while others bait responses before striking fast from odd angles.
Battles become puzzles unto themselves: read an enemy’s rhythm before striking back at the right moment. And then there are bosses—massive threats that fill screens with chaos yet still ask for sharp reflexes rather than brute force alone.
Mongoose Rodeo plans to add even more post-launch challenges including a boss rush mode—perfect for those who enjoy testing builds against relentless foes one after another.
Sights and sounds crafted with care and clarity
Crowsworn may be built by an indie team—but it looks anything but small-scale. Environments shift subtly as players pass through them: rain puddles ripple beneath footsteps; wind rustles faded banners; light filters through fogged glass windows like dying stars trying to shine again.
The soundtrack hums low in the background—a mix of haunted piano notes and eerie strings that grow louder as fights begin or when secrets stir nearby walls.
Visually speaking, it leans heavily into gothic tones: reds too deep to be blood alone; blacks inked darker than night itself; silhouettes twisting against candle-lit corridors. Together these details build tension without ever needing words—a masterclass in visual storytelling driven by atmosphere over exposition.
When does Crowsworn come out?
Crowsworn was originally planned for release back in December 2023—but like many ambitious projects built by small teams aiming high—it needed more time in development to meet expectations set by its early footage and fan hopes alike.
The developers have confirmed it will not arrive anytime during 2025 either. Instead, Mongoose Rodeo aims for some point in 2026 as their current release window—with no specific launch date announced yet as polish continues behind closed doors.
A game shaped by passion—and patience
Crowsworn represents something rare among indie titles: not just ambition but clarity of vision paired with mechanical depth that respects its players’ time without holding their hand too tightly along the way.
This is the kind of project where every delay feels justified—not frustrating—as each glimpse behind development shows clear progress toward something tighter, sharper, richer than what came before it.
One early supporter remembers pledging on Kickstarter after watching only two minutes of gameplay footage—the movement so fluid even then that it sparked memories of first discovering Hollow Knight years ago in its earliest builds: simple beginnings blooming into something unforgettable given enough care—and time—to grow properly.
If Mongoose Rodeo continues shaping Fearanndal at this level of detail across both mechanics and mood alike—they might just deliver one of the most gripping Metroidvanias yet seen outside AAA circles.
The question remains: when Crowsworn finally rises from its coffin… will players be ready?
F.A.Q.
What type of game is Crowsworn?
Crowsworn is a dark fantasy Metroidvania game developed by Mongoose Rodeo. It combines elements of classic Metroidvania exploration with fast-paced, soulslike combat inspired by games like Bloodborne and Devil May Cry.
When does Crowsworn come out?
Crowsworn was originally planned for release in December 2023 but has been delayed. The developers now aim for a release in 2026, although a specific launch date has not been announced yet.
What platforms will Crowsworn be available on?
While the article does not specify the exact platforms, games like Crowsworn typically release on major platforms such as PC, PlayStation, and Xbox. For the latest information, check the game’s Steam page or official announcements from Mongoose Rodeo.
Does Crowsworn have multiplayer features?
Based on the available information, Crowsworn focuses on a single-player experience with its deep exploration and challenging combat mechanics. There is no mention of multiplayer features in the article.
What makes Crowsworn’s combat system unique?
Crowsworn features a dual-weapon combat system where players use a melee scythe and twin pistols for ranged attacks. Additionally, the game introduces Corvian powers that require strategic use of Malice, an energy resource replenished through melee attacks, adding a layer of risk-reward to the combat.
Is Crowsworn similar to Hollow Knight?
Yes, Crowsworn draws inspiration from Hollow Knight, particularly in its Metroidvania exploration and atmospheric storytelling. However, it distinguishes itself with its unique combat system and gothic fantasy setting.
Does Crowsworn have difficult boss fights?
Yes, Crowsworn includes challenging boss fights that require players to master the game’s combat mechanics. The enemies have unique attack patterns, and the bosses are designed to provide epic, demanding encounters typical of soulslike games.
