Summary
Bandai Namco has announcedSteel Paws, its next game from the creative mind of Yu Suzuki, the creator of Sega’s groundbreakingShenmue and Virtua Fightergame franchises.Steel Pawsis coming in 2025 as a mobile-exclusive title, and its style is something that fans of Suzuki’s greatest hits likeShenmuemay not be expecting.
While Suzuki has been making games since 1984 and enjoyed early success with the 1986 racing gameOut Run, which he designed, his longest-lasting series has beenShenmue, an action-adventure title released for the Dreamcast in 1999. Suzuki has written, directed, and produced all three mainline games in the series, withShenmue 3releasing in November 2019. He also pioneered the 3D fighting game genre in 1993 as director and producer ofVirtua Fighter, the first fighting game ever to feature full 3D polygonal graphics, and he went on to serve as director of five and producer of four more games in that franchise.
The briefSteel Pawsannouncement came at The Game Awards 2024in the form of a 30-second-long anime-style cinematic trailer, which shows a purple-haired feminine protagonist in futuristic red armor lounging on a sunny hill with three catlike robots. The action ramps up as a column of mystical light rises from a Roman-style colosseum, which begins to spin rapidly as the four heroes prepare to spring into action. In between the action scenes, the trailer makes sure the audience knows that Suzuki is the driving force behind the game.
Where Will Steel Paws Be Available?
Steel Pawswill be available exclusively through theNetflix Games streaming service. According to the officialNetflix news page, players will team up with their upgradable Buddy Robots to explore a tower that reveals itself once every 1,000 years. Netflix has been offering mobile game access to its streaming service customers in select regions since November 2021, with access first coming to the U.S. market directly through the Netflix mobile app in late 2023. While many of the games are Netflix originals, including some games based around Netflix shows likeStranger ThingsandThe Queen’s Gambit, the service has expanded to include some more mainstream titles as well, such asCivilization 6and multipleGrand Theft Autotitles.
Steel Paws
Battle your way to the top of a huge, mysterious tower. Smash through robot opponents with a crew of cute and loyal mechanical animals by your side.Explore a brand new fantasy world in this beat-em-up action adventure from the mind of legendary game designer Yu Suzuki, creator of “Virtua Fighter” and “Shenmue.“Every 100 years, a fabled and colossal tower suddenly appears, looming over the land. Together with your mecha-animal Buddies, set out on a quest to discover the mystery of its origins. Conquer the challenges and guardians of each floor to reach the top!BRAWL THE WAY UPUse simple controls to send enemy hordes flying in satisfying hack-and-slash combat. Charge up to unleash special attacks; aim carefully to throw barrels, bombs and even your Buddies.GEAR FOR THE GAUNTLETThe Tower’s eccentric residents can help keep you equipped between stages of your quest. Stock up on useful items and upgrade your mecha-animal Buddies with new parts and skills to aid you in battle.A VERTICAL UNIVERSEEach world within the Tower introduces a unique environment with its own hazards, from shifting sands to slippery ice. New traps, puzzles and treasures await you on every level.REPEAT IT ‘TIL YOU BEAT ITIf you and your Buddies get overwhelmed, you can replay a stage without losing loot or experience. Some elements regenerate at random, giving you fresh challenges and rewards on each run.
