Image & Form, the same team behind the bug-tastic iOS strategy game Anthill: Tactical Trail Defense, has announced its next project: SteamWorld Dig for Nintendo 3DS eShop.
Described as a “hardcore platform mining adventure game,” SteamWorld Dig follows the Wild West journey of a mining steambot named Rusty, who comes to the aid of the oddball townsfolk of Tumbleton. The story takes place in a world inspired by 19th century America, where droughts and famine have driven human civilization and other species of life underground, leaving steam-powered robots in charge of the harsh surface world above.
As Rusty, players will dig deep beneath the Earth’s crust and discover an underground realm full of sparkling gems and other riches. Mining for secret treasures won’t be so easy, though, as the subterranean humans have devolved into a race of drunken troglodytes who like to toss sticks of dynamite at our steambot hero.
Video footage of the game in action hasn’t been released just yet, but the early screenshots seen on this page should tantalize the gaming taste buds with plenty of colorful eye candy.
SteamWorld Dig is currently scheduled for eShop release somewhere around 2013’s midpoint. We’ll be keeping close tabs on the game for sure. You can too by “digging” the game’s Facebook page.