Steampunk mecha for days
Today King Art Games showed off a teaser trailer for their upcoming game Iron Harvest. The real-time strategy game is set for release in 2019, and will be coming to PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. It’s set in the alternate reality of 1920+, which was created by Polish artist Jakub Różalski.
I will say I’m liking what I’m seeing so far in the pre-alpha trailer.
Right now, other than the setting, the company has been rather shy on details for the story, but has opened up about the game itself on the website, which you can read below.
Iron Harvest
“After World War 1 farmers found a plethora of unexploded ordnance, barbed wire, weapons, shrapnel and bullets while ploughing their fields. They called it the Iron Harvest.”
The Game
Iron Harvest is a real-time strategy game (RTS) for Playstation 4, Xbox One and PC, set in the alternate reality of 1920+.
You lead hero characters, mechs, and soldiers into battle. Cover mechanics and dynamic destruction play a major role in combat. Your squads take cover automatically, but a simple brick wall will only offer protection against small calibers, not against mech-mounted cannons.
Throughout its open sandbox levels you have to find your own way to reach the goals set by the dynamic story line.
1920+ was developed by Polish artist Jakub Różalski and earned him a cult-following because of his beautiful artworks painted in the style of the old masters.
“We love games like Company of Heroes or Men at War and want to bring a similar gameplay experience to this fantastic world Jakub created.” Jan Theysen, Project Lead at King Art Games.
The game is in its early development phase and is scheduled to launch 2019.
The World
The game takes place in the world of 1920+, an alternate version of our own world where mankind, fascinated by technology, engines and iron, invented powerful walking machines. Once mighty weapons on the battlefields of the Great War, they are now part of everyday life.
Mighty factions fight for influence, while hidden forces are working towards the destabilization of Europe, determined to set the world on fire once again.
- The Saxony Empire is one of the most influential countries in Europe, with powerful industry, developed cities, modern factories and a strong military tradition. After the unfavorable conditions of surrender in the Great War, the current mood in the Empire is bad, and proud elites and humiliated aristocrats secretly oppose the Emperor’s appeasement policies.
- The Polania Republic is a large agricultural country with a long history. It is trying to maintain its status and territory, struggling with its aggressive neighbors: The Saxony Empire in the west and Rusviet in the east. Polania initiated a program to modernize its army while a large part of the country is still occupied by Rusviet forces.
- Rusviet is huge, powerful, and has unmatched industrial and population potential. However, the country is tired and worn out by the long war. People are frustrated, and the power of Tsar Nikolaj weakens. Mysterious Grigori Rasputin has become an extraordinarily powerful man and revolution is in the air…
Overall I’m interested in what they have going on. I personally first stumbled upon the 1920+ world upon hearing about a Kickstarter campaign for a board game called Scythe, which was based upon it just like Iron Harvest. I fell in love with Jakub’s artwork, and I did back that board game partially because of it. So the fact that I’m potentially getting more 1920+, even if it’s a different take on it, makes me happy. Although I do wish it had somehow managed to emulate the art style of Jakub’s paintings.
