Strinova[a] is a third-person tactical hero shooter developed and published by iDreamSky. It introduces "stringification", a mechanic which allows players to switch between a 3D and a paper-thin 2D form of their character. The game started development in 2019 and was released in China on February 1, 2024. It was released globally on November 22, 2024.
| Strinova | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | iDreamSky |
| Publisher(s) | iDreamSky |
| Platform(s) | Windows |
| Release | |
| Genre(s) | |
| Mode(s) | Multiplayer |
Gameplay
editStrinova is an anime-themed hero shooter, allowing the play as characters called "Superstrings". It introduces a unique mechanic called "stringification", where the player can switch between 2D and 3D forms of their character. While in the 2D form, the player becomes paper-thin, can stick to walls,[3] and can glide from higher places. This allows the player access to narrow pathways and avoid getting shot, even while reloading.[4][5] Each character has their own primary weapon and ability set, with configurable secondary weapons.[5] The game includes 17 characters, 14 maps,[6] and four modes: Demolition, Escort, Team Deathmatch,[3] and Team Arena.[5]
In Demolition, an attacking team of five players rush to plant a bomb in set places around the map while a defending team tries to stop them. Points are awarded to each player based on their performance from the previous round, which allows them to purchase improvements to the agent or their weapon and unlock "Awakening Skills"—abilities specific to that agent.[3]
In Escort, an attacking team must escort a payload across the map to its final goal, while a defending team attempts to stop them.[3][5] In Team Deathmatch, five teams of three compete to reach a certain number of kills for their team first. In Team Arena, two teams of seven are placed on opposing sides of the map, with the goal of reaching a certain number of kills of the opposing team.[5]
Sueprstrings are placed into one of five categories: Controller, Duelist, Initiator, Sentinel, and Support.[7] In addition, they are split into three factions: The Painting Utopia Society (P.U.S.), The Scissors, and Urbino.[8] On the Demolition mode, players on the defensive team can only choose between P.U.S. and Urbino characters, while players on the attacking team can only choose between The Scissors and Urbino characters.[3]
Players have the option to customize the characters they have unlocked. The player can also increase their bond level with each character, unlocking special items, skins, or cutscenes for that character.[7]
Development
editiDreamSky, Strinova's developer and publisher, is a video game publisher primarily known for Chinese releases of mobile games such as Subway Surfers.[4] The company received investments from Sony and Tencent for the development of Strinova.[4] The game is the company's first in-house game targeted for Western audiences.[9] Strinova began development in 2019, with the goal of creating an anime-themed third-person shooter.[10] Stringification and character skills were designed to take focus away from aim and gun control—aspects of shooting games which the developers saw as unpleasant for players.[11]
A closed beta of the game was released in June 2024,[8] with a second beta test in October 2024.[4] Its second beta test coincided with the release of a demo for the Steam Next Fest.[12] The game went on early access for Windows in China on August 3, 2023. It was released in China on February 1, 2024.[2] iDreamSky released the game for Windows globally on November 22, 2024. iDreamSky plans to release the game on Android, iOS, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series in 2025.[1][13]
Reception
editStrinova has received generally positive reviews, most of which praise the game's "stringification" mechanic. Jeremy Gan of Engadget called the mechanic "incredibly entertaining",[5] while Shuan Cichacki of Vice called it "one of the wackiest gimmicks I've ever seen."[6]
The game has been compared to other shooter games such as Valorant and Overwatch, owing to its similar gameplay mechanics.[4][5][8] It has also been likened to Paper Mario, due to each superstring's ability to turn into paper.[6]
Notes
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Romano, Sal (November 15, 2024). "Strinova launches November 21 for PC, in 2025 for PS5, Xbox Series, iOS, and Android". Gematsu. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
- ^ a b "Strinova". Gematsu. July 15, 2024. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e IGN Global Studios (October 14, 2024). "Welcome to Strinova, a Next-Gen Anime Shooter with a Unique Mechanic". IGN. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Penwell, Chris (October 11, 2024). "Unique Anime Shooter Strinova Begins 2nd Closed Beta Test". Hardcore Gamer. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g Gan, Jeremy (November 20, 2024). "Strinova's 2D Stringify mechanic breathes some new life into hero shooters". Engadget. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
- ^ a b c Cichacki, Shaun (November 19, 2024). "'Strinova' Ups the Ante With Two New Characters, New Stages and More During Season 1". VICE. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
- ^ a b Nandemo Yuuko (October 31, 2024). "『Strinova』体をペラペラにして戦うTPSがSteam Nextフェスで各ランキング1位に輝いた。豪華特典がもらえる事前登録キャンペーンも実施中【ストリノヴァ】" [Third-person shooter "Strinova", where characters can become paper, won first place in Steam Next Fest rankings. A pre-registration campaign where players can receive rewards is also underway.]. Famitsu (in Japanese). Retrieved November 21, 2024.
- ^ a b c Bergin, Lauren (June 21, 2024). "New Steam FPS is Valorant with anime girls and a huge gameplay twist". PCGamesN. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
- ^ Chapple, Craig (May 9, 2024). "Chinese publisher iDreamSky opens office in Riyadh for first international expansion". www.pocketgamer.biz. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
- ^ Zhang, Alan (September 29, 2024). "『Strinova』インタビュー。アニメ調のキャラとシューティングが融合した本作の魅力と今後の予定を直撃。リリースは第4四半期（10～12月予定）。ブースレポートもお届け【TGS2024】" ["Strinova" interview. A look at its appeal as a anime and shooting fusion and its future plans. Schedules for release in the fourth quarter (October to December). A booth report. [TGS2024]]. Famitsu (Interview). Interviewed by Nandemo Yuuko. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
- ^ Zhang, Alan (September 29, 2024). "アニメ調のTPS『Strinova（ストリノヴァ）』開発者インタビュー＆TGSブースレポ。ペラペラになる"弦化"とガンアクションで初心者もコアゲーマーも楽しめる作品に【TGS2024】" [Anime-style TPS "Strinova" Developer Interview & TGS Booth Report. A game that both beginners and core gamers can enjoy with its smooth "stringifying" and gun action [TGS2024]]. Dengeki Online (Interview). Interviewed by Cestus Harakawa. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
- ^ Koselke, Anna (October 15, 2024). "This Steam Next Fest's second-biggest demo so far is like Valorant meets Paper Mario, complete with anime girls". gamesradar. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
- ^ Morris, Iwan (October 11, 2024). "Strinova is a new 5v5 anime shooter where you lock, load and, for some reason, turn into paper". www.pocketgamer.com. Retrieved November 21, 2024.