An Epic Journey Awaits: Unraveling the Mystique of the Onion-Headed Adventure Game

The Tower of Tears is not available yet, but I can confidently assert that it’s 100% a psychological venture. Every glimpse that solo creator xena-spectrale shares about this half-Metroidvania, reminiscent of a disaster game in The Legend of Zelda, evokes the feeling of a life-changing fever dream, and I eagerly anticipate its release.

“Fight your way through the eerie levels of the tower and encounter all of its peculiar inhabitants,” states the game’s Steam page. “You are the newest Tear keeper of this realm, and it appears they have been anticipating your arrival.”

It all sounds quite majestic and significant, though I must remind myself that the arrogant protagonist with its constant grin is meant to depict a teardrop and not an onion. Yet, it certainly does resemble a quirky little onion creature.

In this quirky context, The Tower of Tears, featuring its N64-inspired 3D visuals, reminds me of the 2000’s Majora’s Mask, which was similarly whimsical and dark. Just as that game showcased an array of rigid masks that Link could wear to harness their various powers, such as swimming faster or transforming into a giant, The Tower of Tears will include ghastly costumes that modify the protagonist’s skills. Xena-spectrale showcases this in a video from January 2 – a mask resembling a punctured heart increases the onion character’s creepiness, while one mimicking a gluttonous bottom feeder makes its steps heavier.

“This [game] keeps getting better and better, and this is like the fifth time I’ve said this,” a comment on that video reads. The Tower of Tears will ultimately offer a free demo, though xena-spectrale has yet to announce a release date.

If you can’t contain your excitement, here are the 25 best Metroidvania games you can find today.