Quick summary
- Early Access release date: July 22, 2026.
- Current status: playable Early Access / Game Preview build, not version 1.0.
- Latest official patch checked here: 0.14.58630, released August 14, 2026.
- The confirmed Steam release supports Windows PC, solo play and online co-op for up to four players.
- Paper Cult estimates 4–12 months in Early Access, depending on player feedback; this is a plan, not a guaranteed 1.0 window.
- The old Steam demo was removed on July 6 and its saves did not carry into the launch build.
| Question | Verified answer |
|---|---|
| When did it release? | July 22, 2026 |
| What released? | The Early Access / Game Preview version |
| Is version 1.0 dated? | No official date announced |
| Who makes it? | Paper Cult (developer and publisher) |
| Where is the confirmed Steam build? | Windows PC |
| How many players? | Solo or online co-op for up to four |
| Current verified patch | 0.14.58630 (August 14, 2026) |
| Current US price snapshot | $24.99 on the Microsoft Store; Steam pricing is regional |
What is the Tears of Metal release date?
Paper Cult launched Tears of Metal in Early Access on July 22, 2026. The date appears on the official Steam store page and in the studio's launch announcement, so the game is no longer in its pre-release “coming soon” period.
There is one important distinction: July 22 is the Early Access release date, not a version 1.0 date. Steam labels the game Early Access, while the official Microsoft storefront uses the similar Game Preview label. Both labels mean the game is available to play while development continues.
Is Tears of Metal out now?
Yes. As of our latest source check on August 19, 2026, the paid Early Access build is live. You can start a complete campaign rather than a time-limited demo.
The launch version includes the game's full core progression loop through the end of Act 3. Paper Cult is still balancing systems, fixing bugs and planning additional content, so “playable now” should not be confused with “finished changing.”
What is included in the Early Access launch?
Paper Cult's release announcement lists the following launch scope:
- three acts, each with its own biomes, enemies, elites and boss fight;
- three playable heroes with distinct gear, synergies and playstyles;
- village upgrades, Emblems, equipment and companions;
- events, encounters and the complete progression and metaprogression loop;
- solo play and online co-op for up to four players.
That is a substantial playable baseline, but it does not mean every planned hero, item or quality-of-life feature is already present.
When will Tears of Metal leave Early Access?
There is no confirmed Tears of Metal 1.0 release date yet.
On Steam, Paper Cult gives an estimated Early Access period of four to twelve months, explicitly tying the schedule to player feedback. The studio also says the full version is planned to add more heroes and upgrades, more voice acting, additional languages, and further improvements to balance, performance and stability.
The safest way to read that statement is as a development target, not a countdown. A roadmap update or patch can change both scope and timing.
Which platforms have a confirmed release?
The clearest confirmed launch is the Windows PC version on Steam. Steam lists single-player and online co-op support, and the official description sets the maximum party size at four.
Microsoft also has an official Tears of Metal (Game Preview) store listing for PC and handheld, included with PC Game Pass and Game Pass Ultimate. Xbox Wire has separately announced an Xbox Series X|S version with Play Anywhere support, but that console version is still “coming soon” and has no public release date. See the full Xbox status breakdown.
No PS5 release date appears in the official sources checked for this article. That is not proof that a PlayStation version will never happen; it only means there is no date we can responsibly publish today. See the dedicated PS5 status page for the current evidence and the difference between DualSense support and a native PS5 build.
What happened to the Tears of Metal demo?
The old Steam demo was removed on July 6, 2026, ahead of the Early Access launch. Paper Cult said the demo no longer represented the current game and that demo save files would not carry into the launch version.
If you played the demo, expect to begin again in the current build. The demo should not be used to verify present-day balance, unlock requirements or performance.
What changes are planned during Early Access?
Paper Cult has publicly identified several areas for continued development:
- new playable heroes;
- new Emblems, equipment, Charms and companions;
- additional village content;
- balance and quality-of-life updates;
- performance and stability improvements;
- more voice acting and language support for the eventual full version.
The exact order is not fixed in the release-date announcement. For current changes, use the latest official patch notes rather than an old launch checklist.
Frequently asked questions
When did Tears of Metal come out?
Does Tears of Metal have a full release date?
Is Tears of Metal still a demo?
Can I play Tears of Metal solo?
Is Tears of Metal on PS5 or Xbox?
Official sources
This article was last checked on August 19, 2026 against first-party pages. Price is a dated storefront snapshot, not a permanent promise:
- Tears of Metal on Steam
- Paper Cult's release-date announcement
- Paper Cult's Early Access launch announcement
- Tears of Metal (Game Preview) on Xbox
- Xbox Wire's Series X|S and Game Pass announcement
- Paper Cult's version 0.14.58630 announcement