So just a few days ago, Nintendo had this Nintendo Direct, see.

Please understand.

In it, they announced Steel Diver: Sub Wars, which is an original eShop title. It's similar to Dillon's Rolling Western in a way. A few ways, actually. One such way is that they are both for the 3DS. But that's besides my main point. The similarity I want to point out is that both titles are unique genres. Rolling Western put together tower defense, action, and exploration in a 3D world. In the same way, Sub Wars is a first person shooter of sorts, but it takes place in...


A subway. And you drive trains.



Actually it takes place underwater and you drive subs. Yeah, it is awesome. And like the title of the blog said, this is one of Nintendo's best recent games. So back to the Nintendo Direct. Ninty decided to announce this masterpiece and release it all in one day. Yes I am aware that they mentioned the project before. That sentence interrupted the flow of the blog. But announcing and releasing a game in the same day. Now that makes customers happy. And to top that, it is free.

YES, FREE. THIS GAME IS FREE. There are actually two versions, the free version and the premium version, but the free version is only really watered down in terms of content. You can buy the premium version to get some different customization options and more missions and stuff, but for the good part--multiplayer--you really don't need to purchase an upgrade.

Speaking of multiplayer, THIS IS AMAZING. SERIOUSLY. You're set in an arena, battling against another team of submarines. Each team has a few subs, and if human players don't fill up all the required spaces, AI subs will fill in. The feel of the game is so amazing. I know I already used that word to describe it, but it's... amazing. It really seems realistic and it's greatly enjoyable to blow up stuff in the water. So in the arenas, you get to navigate around and fire torpedoes at whatever you want. Of course, logically, you'd want to fire them at enemy subs. Unless Waffle King is on your team. Some stages have enemy supply ships, too, so those might be a good idea to sink.

As you may be able to tell, you can do different things and strategize your own plan. There's quite a bit of depth to this game. Lolpun. You get a whole bunch of tools, such as a radar screen, to find other subs, but at the same time, using the radar gives away your position to enemies within range. You get a map as well, which shows general areas that other subs are in. And a periscope. A sub game should have a periscope. You can pop that thing up and have a look around and zoom in to aim, which is really useful. It's seriously pretty fun to just look around using the periscope. And there's a masking system, which makes you invisible to other players. You also have a morse code message system that's live during matches. Oh yeah, all this in a free game. The features that give it depth aren't the only cool parts though.

The visuals are gorgeous. Subs near the surface of the water get sunlight effects on them, and when underwater, visibility in the distance is diminished just like it would be in a real sub. Occasionally, you'll see water blow up at the surface, or maybe torpedo trails. It looks really cool.

So obviously if you have a 3DS, go get this since it's free. It might seem dull at first because it's a little slow, but that's how submarines are. The online modes are fun, but local multiplayer, like in many other games, is the best part of the game. There's also a mission mode, but like Smash Bros., multiplayer is the most enjoyable aspect. Speaking of Smash Bros., I think I've had about as much fun in a Sub Wars match as I've had in a Smash Bros. match. And you know how awesome Smash Bros. is.

There are a few drawbacks, but nothing major. You can only do timed battles, from five to fifteen minutes. Unless the players try to elude a lot, fifteen minutes is plenty of time to finish up a match. Also, teams are mandatory, as are AI subs. It'd be nice if one on one battles were possible, but the AI subs don't interfere too much with human players. Also there is no online friend mode. But this game is not substandard at all.

The positives outweigh the negatives by far. There is so much awesome in this game. And it is really one of Nintendo's best recent games.