A new demo for Clockwork Ambrosia has officially landed on Steam, and if you’ve been craving a Metroidvania that trades the usual sword-slashing for high-octane steampunk gunplay, this is one you need to wishlist immediately.

Developed by Realmsoft and published by OI Games, this project has been 14 years in the making. With the full release scheduled for April 22, 2026, this latest demo serves as the ultimate “vertical slice” of what to expect from the island of Aspida.

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What is Clockwork Ambrosia?

Think of it as the lovechild of Super Metroid and Metal Slug, with a healthy dose of Borderlands-style customisation. You play as Iris, an airship engineer stranded on a mysterious island where the local population has been replaced by hostile robots and bio-mechanical monsters.

The “Rule-Breaking” Weapon System

The standout feature here—and the focus of the new demo—is the weapon-building system. Unlike traditional Metroidvanias, where upgrades are linear (like moving from a standard beam to a plasma beam), Clockwork Ambrosia uses a modular system.

• 150+ Modifications: You can mix and match parts to create “broken” combos.
• Strategic Trade-offs: Some mods might fill the screen with bullets but reduce your mobility, or give you massive damage at the cost of fire rate.
• Visual Flair: Your gear changes aren’t just stats; they are reflected on Iris’s character model in real-time.

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What’s New in the Latest Demo?

If you played the early alpha versions in 2024 or 2025, the 2026 “Pre-Launch” demo feels like a completely different beast. The developers have focused heavily on atmosphere and polish:

• Atmospheric Overhaul: The pixel art has been re-textured to add more “grime and depth,” specifically in the Mushroom Forest and the Sunken Kingdom.
• Boss Reworks: The demo features two major boss fights that have been re-tuned with updated telegraphs and more aggressive attack patterns.
• Snappy Crafting: A new preview of the crafting system is available, allowing you to unlock abilities at your own pace rather than following a rigid path.
• New Soundtrack Bits: We get to hear more of the original score by Johnny Stixx, which perfectly captures that “adventurous but slightly eerie” steampunk vibe.

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Why You Should Play It

It’s rare to see a Metroidvania lean so heavily into 2D shooter mechanics without losing the “search action” soul. The movement is fluid, the gunplay feels weighty, and the mystery of the island’s missing inhabitants provides a compelling hook.

Developer Insight: Nathan Hiemenz (Realmsoft Founder) mentioned that they wanted to move away from the “additive” upgrades of Super Metroid. In Clockwork Ambrosia, choice matters more than just collecting everything you see.

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How to Play

The demo is currently available for Windows PC via Steam. It’s also been confirmed to be Steam Deck-friendly, making it a perfect pick for handheld gaming.

Find out more here – https://ambrosia.realmsoft.com

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