Insomniac Games fully revealed Fuse this morning, which (as suspected) is the Overstrike title that the company announced at E3 2011.
The announcement was made on the game’s official site, which appeared after the FuseGame countdown clock expired this morning. Interestingly, the site also contains a link to a message from Insomniac’s Ted Price apologizing for the lack of a trailer to go along with the reveal. It turns out that the studio did have an “awesome trailer” planned for Fuse, but had to pull it due to a “last-minute legal-rights issue”. Fortunately, they decided to go ahead with the announcement and have given us plenty of details and screenshots to digest while we wait for the trailer.
Fuse is a third person, four-player co-op game that centers around a elite squad of covert agents known as Overstrike 9. Gamers will play as one of the four members of the squad (Dalton Brooks, Izzy Sinclair, Jacob Kimble or Naya Deveraux), as they try to stop the terrorist organization Raven from using the Fuse alien energy source to start a “deadly arms race”.
Each of the four members of Overstrike 9 has their own unique skill set, and a “signature Fuse-powered weapon” that they use in battle. Dalton Brooks, an ex-mercenary, can use a Mag-shield that provides portable cover while he shoots a blast that liquefies enemies. Izzy Sinclair is the teams medic and launches med beacons to heal teammates, or she can use her Shatter Gun to take out nearby opponents. Jacob Kimble is the teams long distance fighter, who uses an Arc Shot that shoots out charged bolts. Finally, Naya Deveraux has a cloaking device which can be used to get behind enemies and shoot “mini-black holes” that implode opponents.
Whether gamers play Fuse online or offline, they will be able to access a unified level progression system that allows them in improve their agent’s skills. Fuse points, gained during gameplay, can be spent within the system to upgrade their characters and unlock more powerful abilities as the game progresses.
Electronic Arts is publishing Fuse and the title is expected to launch for the PS3 and Xbox 360 in March 2013.
Check out the first set of screenshots in our gallery below.
Full press release:
EA Partners and Award-Winning Insomniac Games Team Up to Deliver an Explosive 4-Person Co-Op Action Adventure Game with Fuse
A New Arms Race Begins when Fuse Launches March 2013
REDWOOD CITY, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– What happens when humans take possession of volatile alien technology they were never meant to have? Today, Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) and Insomniac Games announced Fuse™, a 4-person co-op action shooter that thrusts players into the roles of four elite, covert agents with their own unique skills and experimental weapons. Formerly known as Overstrike, Fuse allows gamers to play as Dalton Brooks, Izzy Sinclair, Jacob Kimble or Naya Deveraux as they fight to protect mankind from a deadly alien energy source known as Fuse. Fuse is the first multiplatform release from Insomniac Games, the world-class developer known for creating AAA blockbuster franchises like Ratchet & Clank and Resistance. Fuse is scheduled to launch in March 2013 in North America and Europe.
“Fuse demonstrates what Insomniac does best: outlandish and gruesome weapons design, over-the-top action and a touch of humor,” said Insomniac Games’ Founder and CEO, Ted Price. “We’re especially excited to see how players utilize lethal teamwork by combining their Fuse weapons to stop a deadly arms race.”
“EA is honored to be working with world-renowned developer, Insomniac Games, to bring their first multiplatform release to players everywhere,” said Sinjin Bain, Vice President of EA Partners. “This studio is known for delivering high-quality, action-packed, and most importantly — fun — games. Fuse is on target to deliver that and more in March.”
Fuse is a 4-person co-op, story-driven, action game where even solo players can experience the unique attributes of each agent by using the game’s LEAP feature to switch between the four characters at will during combat. Each agent is equipped with unique skills and weapons not only integral for survival, but that also allows for unexpected and extraordinary results. Experimental Fuse weapons are powered by a volatile alien substance that gives players unique capabilities that expand their strategic options in and out of combat. Through lethal teamwork, players can complete objectives and kills to earn Fuse points for powerful upgrades. Players can also play online or offline and level up along unique character paths, allowing players to unlock more powerful Fuse-driven abilities as the game progresses. In addition, the game’s progression system is unified between different play modes, allowing players to continue improving their agents regardless of how they play.
In Fuse, the members of contact team Overstrike 9 attempt to thwart a rogue paramilitary organization called Raven from stealing the Fuse source located deep within a classified government facility. Overstrike 9’s pursuit of Raven will take them around the world, from the fortified desert facility to underwater bases, island strongholds, icy mountain peaks, palatial hideouts and beyond. Later, as the team closes in on Raven, another more sinister enemy reveals itself as a truly horrendous global threat.
Created and developed by Insomniac Games, Fuse will be available in March 2013 for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system. For more information on Fuse, please visit www.fusegame.com, and for the latest news visit www.facebook.com/fusegame or follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/insomniacgames.
Source: Insomniac, PlayStation Blog