Code provided with many thanks to Stride PR.
Fallen Tear: The Ascension – A wonderful First Impression
It’s fair to say the 2D adventure genre (or Metroidvania, as the cool kids say) is pretty crowded these days. Every week, another 2D adventure seems to arrive promising exploration, new abilities, and challenging boss fights. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it does mean games in this space really need something special to stand out. That’s where Fallen Tear: The Ascension surprised me.
Going in, I expected a familiar loop. Explore a map, unlock new abilities, defeat enemies, repeat. And yes, the game does follow that structure in many ways. But what impressed me was just how well it delivers on those ideas. Everything feels smooth, polished, and thoughtfully designed. The combat flows nicely, the world is fascinating to explore, and the story actually managed to pull me in, something that doesn’t always happen these days. What makes it even more impressive is that this is still an Early Access build. There’s clearly more to come, but even now the foundations already feel incredibly promising.
A Young Hunter With a Big Task
You play as Hira, a spunky young hunter who loves his family and wants to do good. Early in the story he’s sent out on a hunt alongside his older brother, but it quickly becomes clear Hira isn’t entirely comfortable with the role he’s been given. He questions why these creatures need to be hunted at all, showing a bit more heart than your typical monster-slaying hero.
Before long, disaster strikes. His village is attacked, and his family is missing, forcing Hira onto a journey he never expected to take. What begins as survival slowly grows into something much bigger, a quest to confront powerful gods threatening the world itself. Along the way, he meets new allies, strange creatures, and figures who slowly help him understand both the world and his place within it.
What really stood out to me was how likeable Hira is as a character. He’s a bit of an underdog hero, questioning what he’s doing while still trying to do the right thing. It reminded me of classic fantasy stories where the hero is learning as they go rather than already being some unstoppable warrior.
Strong Voice Acting and Storytelling
One thing that immediately impressed me was the voice acting. All of the major characters are fully voiced in English, and the performances are genuinely excellent. Hira, in particular, is wonderfully portrayed. His voice captures that mix of determination and uncertainty that makes him quite the likeable chap.
The supporting cast is great, too. Whenever dialogue scenes appear, the game shows beautifully illustrated portraits while the characters speak. What I liked is that the dialogue feels natural. Conversations move along nicely and rarely overstay their welcome. It’s engaging enough to keep you interested without slowing down the pace of the adventure.
Combat That Feels Just Right
On the gameplay side, Fallen Tear: The Ascension delivers exactly what you’d want from a game like this. Movement feels smooth and responsive, which is vital for a 2D adventure. Jumping, dodging, and attacking all feel satisfying right from the start.
Hira primarily fights using a spear-style weapon, and combat is fast and enjoyable. There’s a dodge mechanic to avoid incoming attacks, but it never feels overly demanding. You don’t need lightning-fast reactions just to survive basic encounters. But should difficulty be an issue, the game is rocking three difficulty modes to suit your mood.
One thing I appreciated is that enemies don’t feel like massive damage sponges. Many regular enemies can be taken down with a few well-placed attacks, which keeps the action moving at a nice pace. Boss fights are a highlight as well. They’re big, dramatic encounters, but they don’t drag on forever. You still feel like you’re taking on a serious threat without spending ten minutes slowly chipping away at a health bar (and checking your watch).
Companions
A really fun twist comes from the companion system. As you progress, you meet various characters who can join you on your journey. You can equip up to three companions at once, forming a small party of helpers.
Each companion provides different buffs and abilities, and you can summon them during combat to assist you. It reminded me a little of tag-team mechanics in fighting games, where another character jumps in briefly to help turn the tide.
There’s also a bonding system tied to these characters. By completing small side quests, you can strengthen your relationship and improve their abilities. It’s a nice feature that makes battles feel less lonely while also adding a bit of personality to your party.
Exploring a Beautiful World
Exploration is another area where the game shines. The world is made up of large, interconnected regions filled with secrets, collectables, and hidden paths. The environments are varied too, with areas ranging from lush forests to industrial-looking ruins and watery landscapes.
I also liked the small environmental touches. Some parts of the scenery can be destroyed, such as rock piles or bits of foliage, which adds a little extra interaction to the world. The map system is particularly helpful. You can check areas you’ve visited to see which collectables you might have missed and even place markers to remind yourself to return later. It’s a simple feature, but incredibly useful for a game built around exploration.
Visually, the game is stunning. The hand-drawn art style gives the world a vibrant, animated feel. It occasionally reminded me of the sense of wonder found in games like Ori and the Blind Forest, where every location feels lovingly crafted. Add in an excellent soundtrack, and you’ve got a world that’s genuinely enjoyable to wander through.
Final Thoughts
After spending time with Fallen Tear: The Ascension, I’ve come away extremely impressed. Even at this Early Access stage, the game already feels confident in what it’s trying to do. The combat is smooth, the world is beautiful, and the characters are genuinely enjoyable to spend time with.
Sure, there’s still more development ahead, but the core experience is already strong. If you enjoy exploration-heavy adventures and good stories, this is definitely one worth keeping an eye on. For me, it’s one of those games that quietly sneaks up on you, and by the time you realise how good it is, you’re already eager to see where the journey goes next.
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