More than 10 minutes of new Tokyo 42 gameplay footage is out this week, featuring narration from the unreleased shooter’s lone artist and giving fans a better look at the architecture we’ll see in Tokyo 42. Fans also get a bit of insight into the design process and some of the inspirations behind the game’s eye-grabbing visual style.
The new video features commentary from Mode 7 Lead Artist Maciek Strychalski, the only artist who contributed to Tokyo 42 and a former architecture undergrad. And Strychalski’s architectural background is just the first in a series of revelations that provide a far better understanding of how he designed such a vibrant world. Some inspirations cited by Strychalski (like the yakuza) shouldn’t be much of a surprise, given the game’s setting, but other influences might surprise the Tokyo 42 community. The game draws heavy inspiration from an architectural movement, popularized during the ‘60s and ‘70s in Japan, known as Metabolism. Each district of the city we’ll explore in Tokyo 42 also draws heavy inspiration from various corners of Japanese culture.
Strychalski says he hoped to replicate the sense of diversity he felt while exploring Japan, from the cute and diverse creations found in Tokyo’s Harajuku district to the brutalist and metabolic architecture found in business centers across the country. That’s why we see everything from pill-shaped buildings to much taller structures inspired by Nakagin Capsule Tower and its ilk.
For a closer look at Tokyo 42, take a few minutes to watch the latest batch of gameplay from Mode 7. Then head down to the comments section and let us know what you’re hoping to see in the game when Tokyo 42 debuts later this year.
Tokyo 42 is in development for PS4, Xbox One and PC. The game is expected to debut in 2017.
Be sure to check back with iDigitalTimes and follow Scott on Twitter for additional Tokyo 42 news throughout 2017 and however long Mode 7 supports Tokyo 42 after launch.
