"Stringification" Allows You To Shift Into 2D And Make Your Getaway In F2P 5v5 Hero Shooter Strinova

Looking for a bit of a break from Overwatch 2 (or Overwatch 2 "Classic") but aren't ready to leave the 5v5 hero shooter genre? A new F2P title has released that follows many of the same tracks the rest of the genre has, but introduces a mechanic not seen in the genre before.

Strinova, developed by iDreamSky, tosses the usual mix of heroes (17 at the moment), multiple game modes (Demolition, Rank Demolition, Team Arena, Team Deathmatch, and Escort), and paints in all in an anime-inspired skin. Where things differ a bit, though, is with every hero's ability to use "Stringification."

Each hero as its own ability set to cater to differing playstyles, but heroes can also shift back and forth between 2D and 3D versions of themselves. It's similar to The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds. In 2D form you can find your way to new places in each of Strinova's maps by creeping through small cracks or even using your 2D form to glide or make yourself a smaller target.

The development plan is pretty typical for these types of games. iDreamSky will add seasonal content, new heroes, and new maps over time. For launch, the team is giving away over $1 million worth of in-game items (sigh...random assigned dollar values to digital goods) via Twitch Drops.

You can see the participating streams or play via the official site if you prefer not to play via Steam or the Epic Games Store. Strinova's initial Steam reviews are coming in at "Mixed", with most of the negative reviews citing a "Region Locking" that wasn't in previous tests nor communicated effectively.