One of last night’s largest announcements during theTokyo Game Show’s 2017 PlayStation press conferencewas Square Enix’sLeft Alive. While the game was announced with only a short and simple teaser trailer, details regarding the game’s creators and gameplay have driven excitement over the announcement.Left Aliveis described as aFront Missionsuccessor, a survival action shooter with mechs, made by the producer behind the popularArmored Corefranchise.
Left Alivewill be directed by Toshifumi Nabeshima, now working for Square Enix after years producing theArmored Corefranchise at From Software. Joining him will be character and concept artist Yoji Shinkawa, well known for his work on theMetal GearandZone of the Endersfranchises. Shinkawa will pair well with mech designer Takayuki Yanase ofMobile Suit Gundam 00andXenoblade Chronicles Xfame. It’s a mech game dream team working onLeft Alive.
Left Alive’s gameplay remains somewhat mysterious. While described as a survival action shooter, itsFront Missioninspirationsimply tactical gameplay as well. And theArmored Corefranchise, where director Nebeshima’s experience lies, is as much a mech simulation experience as it is full-on shooter. It seems likeLeft Aliveis positioned to be a much more action-focused title, but don’t be surprised if strategy and tactics are more involved than is immediately apparent.
The shortLeft Aliveteaser trailer doesn’t provide any answers to the myriad questions early fans have. A hallway is shown slowly being destroyed with heavy firepower, followed by a cutaway shot of helicopters carrying mechs into the distance. The city shown in the background has been completely destroyed, with plumes of smoke rising as snow falls from the sky. A lot is left to the imagination by the short teaser.
Will players ultimately end up as survivors within that war-torn snowy city? Will players get to take their own mechs and destroy parts of what’s left standing? Or will players spend as much or more time out of their mechs as in them? All is uncertain and until Square Enix shares more details,Left Aliveremains shrouded in mystery.
Left Alivereleases in 2018 for the PC and PS4.
