Announced today during a 3DS developer event at E3, it looks like Nintendo is releasing a brand new game on the 3DS. It’s called Code Name: STEAM and it launches in 2015. It sounds kind of bonkers.
The game partially takes place in London, and it features airships. Think Steampunk (Jason, who is attending the event, says the game reminds him a little of Valkyria Chronicles.)
The game’s visual elements take inspiration from American comic books. To that end, the game seems cel-shaded. Some of the characters are also inspired by silver age American comic books:
Hitoshi Yamagami, who is known for working on games like Fire Emblem, Pokemon, Xenoblade, is involved in the project—as is Intelligent Systems (they’re behind Advance Wars). The game has turn-based strategy elements “with a lot of unique elements taken from action games,” Yamagami says. Despite that, the game does have action points. You fight aliens that are inspired by H.P. Lovecraft.
The “Steam” in the title refers to a group set up by Abraham Lincoln. Seriously. The game also sounds like it wants to have a wide appeal, despite being a strategy game:
Mr. Yamagami wants to “find a way to introduce more people to strategy games & have them fall in love w/ them the way I have” #CodeNameSTEAM
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) June 12, 2014
#CodeNameSTEAM uses action elements from shooters to enhance both movement and attacking.
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) June 12, 2014
The fighters in #CodeNameSTEAM run on steam. Fighters have boilers and they have to pull from a limited amount of steam to perform attacks.
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) June 12, 2014
The fighters in #CodeNameSTEAM run on steam. Fighters have boilers and they have to pull from a limited amount of steam to perform attacks.
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) June 12, 2014
The game is structured as a campaign and divided into missions. Each mission has several maps. #CodeNameSTEAM
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) June 12, 2014
As you play through the game, the boilers, weapons and characters available to you will increase. #CodeNameSTEAM
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) June 12, 2014
Main characters’ weapon design is based on the weapon's abilities and an animal motif based on the character's personality. #CodeNameSTEAM
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) June 12, 2014
Overwatch attacks can stun & interrupt enemy movement. Save steam at the end of a turn to attack enemies when in range. #CodeNameSTEAM
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) June 12, 2014
