The ‘Braveheart’ Roguelike That Conquered Steam Next Fest: Tears of Metal Dominates Charts with Near-Perfect Player Scores

The latest edition of Steam Next Fest, the platform’s major showcase for upcoming indie titles, has crowned a surprising new victor in the hyper-competitive roguelike genre. The demo for Tears of Metal, an action-RPG that brazenly fuses the run-based structure of a roguelike with the massive-scale combat of the Musou (or ‘Warriors’) genre, has surged to the top of the charts, garnering what is being widely described as a near-perfect reception from the player base.

Positioned as one of the festival’s biggest breakout hits, Tears of Metal sets itself apart by leaning heavily into a dramatic, Scottish-inspired medieval aesthetic reminiscent of the film Braveheart. This novel blend of themes and mechanics has propelled the title into the spotlight, proving that innovation in the crowded indie game space is still the key to commercial success and critical acclaim (High CPC Keywords: best RPG demos, top games on Steam, high-value entertainment, action-packed gameplay).

The Musou-Roguelike Hybrid: Gameplay Breakdown

Tears of Metal puts players in the kilts of a Scottish-style hero, leading a charge against a seemingly endless tide of invaders following a mysterious event. The core gameplay loop masterfully combines two distinct genres:

• Musou Combat: The fighting system is a gritty, visceral hack-and-slash experience, demanding players carve through hundreds of enemy soldiers at a time. The goal is the satisfying ‘mowing down minions’ feeling popularized by franchises like Dynasty Warriors and Hyrule Warriors. Players must constantly manage crowds, destroy enemy objectives like archer towers, and occasionally take on formidable boss units.
• Roguelike Progression: In true roguelike fashion, the progression is run-based. Players navigate a map reminiscent of systems found in deckbuilding roguelikes like Slay the Spire, making choices that determine the next battlefield. Success on the battlefield grants temporary but powerful upgrades—called ‘resonances’—that stack across the run, allowing for the creation of wildly overpowered, synergistic builds. Failure, however, means losing the run-specific upgrades and starting a new campaign from the main hub.

The developers have successfully balanced the high-octane action of a Musou game with the strategic build-crafting and permanent meta-progression that defines the best roguelikes. Early reviews indicate that this blend provides a unique and compelling sense of escalation, ensuring that no two runs are the same, a crucial factor for the genre’s replayability and longevity.

Player Reception and Chart Domination

The metrics for Tears of Metal during Steam Next Fest are staggering. The demo has consistently ranked at or near the top of multiple categories, including overall popularity and most-wishlisted titles. Crucially, the feedback from players who have spent time with the demo has been overwhelmingly positive. The game’s success is not merely driven by visibility but by genuine enthusiasm for the quality of the experience.

Key highlights from player feedback:

• Near-Perfect Review Scores: Anecdotal reports and initial aggregation of user reviews suggest the demo is sustaining a “Very Positive” to “Overwhelmingly Positive” rating, a rare feat for a demo and a strong indicator of its potential full-release success (High CPC Keywords: Steam reviews, top-rated games, new PC games).
• Immersive Atmosphere: The distinct Braveheart-esque setting, complete with the main character’s kilt and long hair, has resonated strongly with players looking for a fresh take on the medieval fantasy genre.
• Build Diversity: Players have praised the upgrade system, noting the exciting “ridiculous amalgamations of stat modifiers” that allow for unique and powerful run-defining strategies.

This critical and commercial success in the demo phase positions Tears of Metal as one of the most anticipated new releases on the Steam platform. The game is managing to cut through the immense volume of titles released during the festival, a testament to its polished presentation and addictive mechanics.

The Growing Trend of Roguelike Innovation

The triumph of Tears of Metal further highlights a growing trend in the video game industry: the adaptability of the roguelike format. Once a niche genre, the run-based, permanently-progressing structure has been successfully married with everything from card games (Balatro) to top-down shooters (Vampire Survivors) and now, mass-combat Musou fighters. This ability to blend high-value mechanics with novel ideas is driving a resurgence in the action-RPG and strategy RPG subgenres.

The sheer number of successful roguelikes in the recent Next Fest—ranging from fast-paced bullet hells to complex deckbuilders—demonstrates the massive player appetite for challenging, replayable experiences that offer a continuous sense of progression and discovery. Tears of Metal simply answered the call by introducing a scale of combat rarely seen in the genre.

As the curtains close on this year’s Steam Next Fest, all eyes are now on the full release of Tears of Metal. Its unprecedented success in the demo charts proves that a Braveheart-inspired musou-roguelike is not just a compelling concept, but a powerful draw for the modern PC gaming audience. The developer’s task now will be to maintain this momentum and ensure the full game lives up to the near-perfect scores its demo has earned (High CPC Keywords: PC gaming hardware, Steam next fest best games, new indie game).

Final Verdict on Tears of Metal Demo: A Must-Play Roguelike

For fans of intense hack-and-slash combat, strategic build optimization, and a uniquely gritty aesthetic, Tears of Metal is shaping up to be a standout title in the 2026 release lineup. The demo’s success is a clear market signal that the fusion of the Musou and Roguelike genres is a powerful combination, offering both stress-relieving slaughter and deep, meaningful progression.

• Genre Fusion: Musou’s massive battles + Roguelike’s permanent upgrades = High Replay Value.
• Player Feedback: Overwhelmingly Positive, signaling a polished and satisfying core loop.
• Market Position: The biggest breakout Roguelike hit of the festival, securing a prime spot on countless wishlists.

The demo is a mandatory playthrough for anyone interested in the future of the Action Roguelike space. Now, the waiting game begins for the full release, but the demo has already provided more than enough excitement to secure its place as a future blockbuster indie hit.