Steam's new free game is already a big hit with players

A new free-to-play competitive shooter has recently debuted, skyrocketing up Steam’s trending chart.

With this in mind, if you’re looking for something new to play, you may want to check out Strinova.

Developed and published by iDreamSky, Strinova is a third-person tactical shooter featuring an anime aesthetic that sees players switch freely between a two-dimensional and three-dimensional form.

You’ll find all the shooter classics here, including various game modes like Team Deathmatch and Demolition.

Maps are multilayered and there are plenty of weapons and gadgets to choose from, with additional maps and modes due to be added as a part of Strinova’s roadmap.

Already, despite having only been out for a few days, Strinova is sitting in the third position on SteamDB’s trending chart.

Take a look at Strinova in action below.

At the time of writing, Strinova has an impressive 20,291 players in-game according to SteamDB with a 24-hour peak of 33,072.

Its all-time peak was set two days ago, reaching 38,043 players.

Despite its popularity, the reviews sit at ‘mixed’ but there’s plenty of praise amidst the criticism.

“This game is truly an excellent shooter with innovative mechanics like stringification (paper form) and diverse character designs, delivering a fresh and tactical experience,” wrote one player.

“The 2D to 3D switch mid-combat is insane. It's like flipping between two realities, and it makes every fight unpredictable,” added another.

One reviewer said, “Strinova grabbed my attention instantly with its dimension-switching mechanic. It's a mix of strategy and reflexes I haven't seen in other games. The anime art style is a perfect match for the fast-paced gameplay.”

As for the criticism, well, it’s mainly aimed at the fact that the game has been region locked, meaning you can only play against those playing on your region’s server.

If that doesn’t particularly bother you, Strinova may be worth giving a go.