Crowsworn Brings Bloodborne Energy to Metroidvania Fans in 2026
If you've been yearning for a moody, fast-paced action platformer with razor-sharp traversal and intense combat, Crowsworn may be your next obsession. Showcased during the Xbox Partner Preview in November, this Canadian-developed title has steadily built buzz among Metroidvania fans and with good reason.
Developed by Mongoose Rodeo, a passionate indie team based in London, Ontario, Crowsworn draws inspiration from genre-defining games like Hollow Knight and Bloodborne. With a gothic art style, a cursed world dripping with mystery, and lightning-fast movement systems, it’s aiming to be one of 2026’s most exciting platformers.
Best of all? It’s coming day one to Xbox Game Pass.
Welcome to Fearanndal, a Land Consumed by Darkness
Set in the brooding world of Fearanndal, Crowsworn casts players as a plague doctor-style hero armed with scythes, pistols, and shadowy powers. A mysterious curse has twisted the land into a nightmare realm, and it’s your job to battle through monstrous enemies and uncover the truth behind the devastation.
From dense forests to crumbling cathedrals and eerie underground ruins, each zone is hand-crafted and interconnected, offering secrets and upgrades to those willing to explore every corner. It’s a full-on Metroidvania experience, complete with backtracking, skill-based movement, and relentless boss battles.
Precision Combat Meets Slick Traversal
Crownsworn isn’t just stylish, it’s designed to feel good to play. Tight platforming mechanics blend with responsive, high-stakes combat to create a gameplay loop that rewards skill and patience.
You’ll be able to unlock new traversal abilities, like air dashes, double jumps, and wall runs, which let you reach hidden areas and dodge through combat scenarios with finesse. Every enemy encounter feels like a dance of timing and positioning, and upgrades to your weapons and abilities will open up new strategies as you grow stronger.
Inspired by Greatness, Crafted with Purpose
The influence of Bloodborne is undeniable, from the haunting art direction to the plague-doctor aesthetic and mysterious lore that unfolds piece by piece. But Crowsworn isn’t just another homage. It builds its own identity through a focus on verticality, combo-driven action, and a unique gothic-fantasy world.
Mongoose Rodeo has worked closely with the indie community since Crowsworn's earliest days, including a successful Kickstarter campaign that brought in over $1 million CAD. That community-first approach continues today, with regular dev updates and a growing fan base eagerly awaiting its release.
A Day One Win for Xbox Game Pass
Crownsworn will launch on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, and Xbox Cloud Gaming and will be available day one through Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. For fans of the genre, this is a major win.
