It has been nearly seven years since the Tiny Metal universe last saw a major update, but the wait for tactical reinforcements is finally nearing its end. Developer Area 35 has announced a month-long Steam playtest starting April 2, giving you your first hands-on experience with the sequel since 2019’s Full Metal Rumble. This limited-run event is designed to gather community feedback on balance and pacing well ahead of the game’s official debut.
Playtest Core Features
- Naval Combat: Deployment of submarines, destroyers, and battleships for the first time in the series.
- Four-Player Co-Op: Support for up to four players in local multiplayer battles.
- Focus Fire Mechanic: Tactical ability to combine allied unit attacks for a simultaneous assault.
- New Factions: A mix of fresh military groups and returning fan-favorites.
Move into deep water
For the first time in the series, you can actually command naval fleets featuring everything from stealthy submarines to massive battleships. To help manage these multi-front skirmishes, a new “Focus Fire” mechanic allows multiple units to coordinate their attacks into a single, high-damage strike. Whether you’re a lone wolf or prefer playing with friends, the playtest supports both single-player and four-player local co-op across land, air, and sea.
If you happen to be at PAX East this week, you can skip the digital queue and play the build early at the developer’s booth. Area 35 is using the event to showcase its range, bringing along the rhythm game Felicity’s Door and a mysterious new multiplayer project currently known only as Project Blitz. It’s a busy season for the Tokyo-based team as they transition from development to live community testing.
By launching a playtest a full year before the scheduled Spring 2027 release, Area 35 is clearly prioritizing mechanical polish. Adding naval units to an established tactical formula is a risky maneuver that can easily break game balance, so this early look is a smart move for the studio. If the new factions and naval layers feel as sharp as the original’s ground game, strategy fans have plenty of reason to be optimistic about this sequel.
AREA 35 Fun Facts
- Their 2017 debut was a breakout hit, moving over 100,000 copies worldwide.
- The studio operates with a global team that handles everything from concept art to enterprise development.
- They previously partnered with Sony Music for their initial publishing ventures.
What are your thoughts on the addition of naval combat to the franchise? Let us know in the comments below which faction you plan to command first during the April testing period!
ID Card
- Developer: AREA 35
- Publisher: AREA 35
- Engine: TBA
- Platforms: PC (Steam), Additional platforms TBA
- Release Date: Spring 2027
- Genre: Turn-Based Tactical Wargame
Dev & Play Media 
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