PlayStation’s China Hero Project has been unveiling innovative, new projects from within the PlayStation China showcase. The latest reveal from the collaborative brand was a gameplay trailer for ThinkingStars’ cyberpunk RPG Anno: Mutationem; a game full of neon 2D and 3D graphics set in a futuristic metropolis.
Announced during the second part of PlayStation China’s showcase, developer ThinkingStars and publisher Lightning Games introduced Anno: Mutationem, and gave us a look at some gameplay. Producer Zhang Pingwen walked us through the various mechanics and hypnotic visuals, while offering a first look at the new area Asamizu Avenue. The trailer featured protagonist Ann who fluidly explored the back alley environment for items to gather. Pingwen explained that items could be collected or sold, and any credits obtained from selling could be used in city shops or various vending machines.
The vending machines will be Ann’s hub for power-ups and combat aids, conveniently dotted around the city to support exploration. An army of various NPC’s - such as the King of Corn - could also be interacted with to unlock missions and side quests. The trailer focused on a street fighting tournament - unlocked by the King of Corn - that Ann could enter into, which showcased the game’s combat mechanics. Pingwen explained that the game’s combat style aimed to resemble Street Fighter 2 - while also featuring a weapon similar to Cloud’s Buster Sword from Final Fantasy 7 - with an added retro aesthetic.
After the tournament, Pingwen explained the Grom System; the player’s interface for character stats, items, skills, talents, and weapons. The weapons were organized into three categories - Light, Heavy, and Ranged - and could be enhanced by using special chips. The Talents section addressed combat and quick time event skills featured in the trailer’s closing combat sequence. Ann could be seen slaying enemies - with something similar to a lightsaber - that highlighted her ability to jump high, and to slay a massive lizard creature that carried a skull over its head like the Pokemon Cubone.
Through China Hero Project’s motive to expand the global Chinese market for video games, titles like Anno: Mutationem - and the previously announced Convallaria - are perfect examples of the talent working within the initiative.
Anno: Mutationem has not received a release date, but it is expected to arrive some time next year.
