Crowsworn
A crow-plague-doctor awakens in a cursed kingdom.
Crowsworn is a forthcoming Metroidvania title from Mongoose Rodeo, a Canadian independent studio. The project was crowdfunded via Kickstarter, and no updated release date has been provided since its delay was announced in August 2023. It is set to launch on Windows, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
**Gameplay** The game blends Metroidvania exploration with soulslike combat. Players control a character who wields a scythe for melee attacks and two guns for ranged combat. Corvian powers—magical abilities—are also available, but using them consumes a resource called Malice, which is replenished by landing scythe hits on enemies. The experience includes platforming, side quests, over 120 enemy types, more than 30 boss fights, a boss rush mode, and a planned post-launch DLC expansion.
**Premise** The story is set in Fearanndal, a once-thriving kingdom now afflicted by a curse that has left it "overrun by sightless creatures of nightmare," with "all but the last remnants of humanity" gone. The protagonist—an amnesiac figure resembling a plague doctor and a crow—awakens in a coffin. Players guide this character across the kingdom to break the curse, uncover its source, and find their own redemption.
**Development and Promotion** The game was first announced on Kickstarter, where it raised over $1 million CAD by August 2021, far exceeding its original $125,000 CAD goal. The developers drew influence from *Hollow Knight*, *Bloodborne*, and *Devil May Cry*. Director Aleksandrar Kuzmanovic acknowledged frequent comparisons to *Hollow Knight* and aimed to differentiate the game from its inspirations. Marketing is handled by Matthew Griffin, who previously worked on *Hollow Knight* and *Hollow Knight: Silksong* for Team Cherry. The soundtrack is composed by J.J. Ipsen. Updates have been shared regularly on Twitter and Kickstarter. In August 2023, Mongoose Rodeo postponed the planned December 2023 release, citing the game’s expanded scope due to the higher-than-expected Kickstarter funding. A new gameplay trailer debuted at the November 2025 Xbox Partner Preview showcase, revealing a minecart mechanic and confirming additional platform releases (Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch) as well as availability on Xbox Game Pass at launch.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Crowsworn
- Developer
- Mongoose Rodeo
- Composer
- J.J. Ipsen
- Engine
- Unity
- Platforms
- Linux · Windows · macOS · Nintendo Switch · PlayStation 5 · Xbox Series X/S
- Genre
- Metroidvania
- Modes
- Single-player
- Director
- Aleksandar Kuzmanovic
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Crowsworn takes place in Fearanndal, a once vibrant kingdom now beset by a curse, overrun by sightless creatures of nightmare, where all but the last remnants of humanity have seemingly vanished. The player controls an unnamed protagonist with the appearance of a plague doctor and a crow, who wakes up in a coffin suffering from amnesia. The player must traverse the vast kingdom to end the curse, uncover its origin, and realize their salvation.
Gameplay combines Metroidvania exploration with soulslike combat. The player fights enemies in melee using a scythe and at range using two guns, and can use Corvian powers—magical abilities that require Malice energy, recharged by attacking enemies with the scythe. The game features platforming, side quests, over 120 enemies, more than 30 bosses, a boss rush mode, and a planned DLC expansion after launch.
Reader's Guide
Crowsworn is notable for its successful Kickstarter campaign, which raised over $1 million CAD against a target of $125,000 CAD, ending in August 2021. The developers were influenced by Hollow Knight, Bloodborne, and Devil May Cry. Director Aleksandrar Kuzmanovic noted the game was often compared to Hollow Knight and sought ways to stand out from those inspirations. The game is being marketed by Matthew Griffin, who worked with Team Cherry on Hollow Knight and Hollow Knight: Silksong, and its music is composed by J.J. Ipsen. In August 2023, Mongoose Rodeo delayed the game from its planned December 2023 release, citing increased scope from higher-than-expected Kickstarter funding. A new gameplay trailer at the November 2025 Xbox Partner Preview showcase revealed a minecart mechanic and announced additional platforms (Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch) and Xbox Game Pass availability at launch. Pre-release reception was positive: GamesRadar+ called the world 'stunning' and combat 'excellent-looking'; Nintendo Life described it as 'unabashedly Bloodborne-y'; Jeuxvideo.com praised the demo's art direction, music, sound design, fluid gameplay, and fair difficulty, with only minor critique about lack of clarity in certain actions. IGN praised its 'dark fantasy universe' and 'cute-but-intimidating characters'. A spin-off multiplayer racing title, Crowkart, is also in development, with an early build available to Kickstarter backers and a free release planned after Crowsworn's launch.
Did You Know?
- Crowsworn raised over $1 million CAD on Kickstarter, far exceeding its $125,000 CAD target.
- The game's protagonist is an unnamed plague-doctor-crow figure who wakes up in a coffin with amnesia.
- A spin-off multiplayer racing game called Crowkart is in development and will release for free after Crowsworn.
- The game was delayed in August 2023 from a planned December 2023 release due to increased scope from higher funding.
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