Tails of Iron is a 2D action RPG heavily inspired by Souls-like games. At first glance, its setting and almost charming hand-drawn visuals suggest a light-hearted, family-friendly tale. But looks can be deceiving. You step into the role of Redgi, the young heir to a fallen rat kingdom. While the animal world evokes classic fables or medieval legends, the story takes a darker turn, blending whimsical elements with a grim, often bloody narrative reminiscent of the original Grimm's fairy tales. The kingdom lies under siege by a brutal army of frogs. After witnessing the murder of his father, Redgi sets out on a perilous journey to rescue his brothers, reclaim his throne and rid the land of the amphibian scourge.
As you'd expect from a Soulslike, Tails of Iron revolves around combat. Redgi faces not only waves of minor enemies but also intense boss battles. The tactical real-time combat demands sharp reflexes and precise timing. However, thanks to its 2D perspective, the difficulty isn’t quite as punishing as in 3D titles like Dark Souls or Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Combat feels fast and fluid, partly because there's no stamina bar to manage. Players can equip a variety of weapons, including swords, axes and spears – each with its own strengths and drawbacks. Armor also plays a key role, influencing both defense and mobility, giving you plenty of freedom to tailor your fighting style.
Ratings: Challenging combat system, but hardly any other game mechanics
In its review, the German website Eurogamer praised Tails of Iron for its challenging yet fair combat system and beautifully hand-drawn 2D visuals, which showcase a remarkable attention to detail. The unusual story about a war between rats and frogs is brought to life by Doug Cockle, best known as the voice of Geralt from The Witcher, adding to the game’s rich and atmospheric tone. With a playtime of around 10 to 12 hours for both main and side content, the review described the adventure as compact yet complete, offering a well-rounded experience without overstaying its welcome.
However, Eurogamer did note a few drawbacks. The absence of an easy mode might make the game overwhelming for players new to the Soulslike genre. Additionally, Tails of Iron leans heavily into combat, offering little beyond that. There are virtually no puzzles or exploration elements to break up the action. Eurogamer chose not to assign a final score. On the broader review front, the game has received strong feedback. On Steam, over 10,000 players have reviewed it, with 88% rating it positively. On Metacritic, Tails of Iron holds a Metascore of 81 and a User Score of 8.0, reflecting its solid reception across the board.
80% discount on Steam
Tails of Iron was developed by Odd Bug Studio and published by United Label in September 2021. Normally priced at around $25 on Steam, the game is currently available at an 80% discount, bringing it down to just $5 until April 21. If you’re not in a rush, it might be worth holding out. According to SteamDB, the game occasionally drops to a 90% discount. So with a bit of patience, you could snag it for even less.
By the way – successor only recently released: The sequel, Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter, launched on January 28, 2025 and is currently available at a 25% discount for about $19 instead of $25. This time, you play as Arlo, heir to the Guardian of the Wastelands, whose homeland has been devastated by a swarm of bats. The game builds on its predecessor with new features like magic, elemental damage, a grappling hook for traversal and the ability to upgrade your fortress. If you enjoyed the first game, there’s a good chance you’ll find plenty to like in this one too.
Disclaimer: Notebookcheck is not responsible for price changes carried out by retailers. The discounted price or deal mentioned in this item was available at the time of writing and may be subject to time restrictions and/or limited unit availability.