In what may be the closest we will ever get to having Valve show up to any major event, Nintendo announced the release of the upcoming Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. a new turn based strategy RPG exclusively for the 3DS.
Developed by Intelligent Systems, the creators of popular Advance Wars and the Fire Emblem series, Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. is a new take on strategy games inspired by third-person shooters. Like the Fire Emblem and Advance Wars games before it, Code Name S.T.E.A.M. tasks players with planning out strategic moves using a team of soldiers to do battle with enemy forces. But this game throws a wrench into many of the conventions familiar to the genre.
How so, you might ask? The game takes place in a massive Steampunk inspired world, sure to appeal to the rapidly growing sub-culture. Visually, the game will take on the look and feel of a comic book, hopefully with plenty of 'pows!' and 'bams!'
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So, what exactly is S.T.E.A.M? "The title refers to an elite team of steam-powered special-forces soldiers composed of absolutely wild and wholly unexpected characters who must battle an extraterrestrial menace. To establish a connection to the main playable characters and to emphasize the verticality and depth of the level design, the perspective of Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. uses a behind-the-shoulder perspective at the level of the players' squad. Players outflank and outshoot the enemy in a fully 3D battlefield with a customizable four-member team. To defeat aliens, they have to take cover, set up ambushes and unleash crossfires and counter-attacks."
"For every move taken or action performed, a steam gauge is slowly depleted, forcing players to use strategy to achieve their objectives. Along the way, players will acquire new items and weapons that give them more strategic options and firepower."
Let's take some guesses, shall we? S.T.E.A.M. - Strategic Tactical Extraterrestrial Admonition Mob? Super Tough Extreme Ab Men? Sometimes They Enjoy Andie MacDowell? Could be anything, really.
The game, as with many of Nintendo's recently announced titles, will be launching for the 3DS sometime in 2015. You'll be about done with Super Smash Bros for the 3DS by then, right?
