As the year presses on and major releases near their launch dates, it's refreshing to know that there are still a number of strong titles from smaller developers slated for the coming months. One of the most exciting of which is Ronimo Games' upcoming title Awesomenauts.

Sporting a unique take on the MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) genre, a cast of colorful and unique characters as well as a style reminiscent of 80's cartoons, gamers should keep their eyes on this title.

With a large amount of the gaming population buzzing over the recent Dota 2 tournament "The International", it's clear that the MOBA genre is larger than it ever has been. As such, there's no better time than the present for a title like Awesomenauts which takes the tried-and-true MOBA formula and turns it on its head, bringing it into the realm of a 2D platformer.

As with any other MOBA though, having a strong cast of characters is the most important thing a developer can strive for. The selection of playable heroes can make or break an up-an-coming MOBA. Over the past months, developer Ronimo Games and publisher dtp Entertainment have been hard at work giving gamers insight into the personalities and play-styles of characters like Froggy G and Sheriff Lonestar.

Now, it's about time gamers were introduced to Awesomenauts' resident French assassin: Leon Chameleon. Check out his showcase below!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdGO--HMI8I

While the previous two characters favored a play-style which would place them right in the middle of the fray, Leon Chameleon marks the game's first announced stealth-based character. Even though he will no doubt be capable of just as much destruction as the other Awesomenauts when up close and personal, he will require a larger amount of trickery and subterfuge in order to succeed.

Being an assassin, it's not surprising that Leon will need to be agile on his feet. As such, he possesses a strong jump which will allow him to sail over his enemies as he searches for the perfect vantage point. When the time comes to get out of sight though, Leon is also able to activate stealth which renders him invisible and places a robotic replica in his place. Whether you're using this to sneak to a more opportune attacking position or to simply escape from an aggressive opponent, mastering the use of Leon's stealth will be a key component of playing this French assassin effectively.

Despite the many uses of his stealth, Leon also has multiple ways of physically dealing with his enemies. The first and most basic of which is his laser sword. As he's darting around the battlefield, Leon Chameleon can lash out with his quick, bladed weapon, making short work of anyone who's foolish enough to be in such close proximity to him.

Alongside his blade, Leon can also make use of his long tongue to grab fleeing enemies and pull them towards him. As Leon's attacks are only effective at short range, this will make closing gaps between enemies even simpler.

Like the other two Awesomenauts who have been shown off, Leon Chameleon sports a play-style which sets him apart in the game and clearly illustrates his skills. While some MOBA purists may not be impressed by the simplification of the genre, there's no doubt that the goal of Awesomenauts is to make these types of games more approachable. Even so, the frantic gameplay still remains immensely entertaining and feels like a worthy addition to the genre.

In order to give gamers a better look at the flow of a match, another video has been released which follows Sheriff Lonestar through the heat of a battle. Check it out below!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGPVAoMi2wc

While Awesomenauts' E3 trailer and recently released GamesCom trailer have both offered glimpses at the game's frantic action, this newest video provides gamers with the best look yet at what they should expect from the title when it launches.

For fans of the genre, it's especially exciting to get a better look at the game's shop system, creeps and towers. Even though it takes place on a completely different plane, there's no denying that the heart and soul of the MOBA genre is every bit as present in Awesomenauts as a title like League Of Legends.

As such, fans of the genre and fans of 2D platformers alike are sure to get quite a bit of enjoyment out of this title when it launches. Until then though, players can expect even more announcements regarding new Awesomenauts spotlights as well as more details as they become available.

What are your thoughts on the play-style of Leon Chameleon? Which Awesomenaut would you like to see in the next spotlight?

Awesomenauts is set to release later this year on XBLA and PSN.