It was spied in Nintendo Power magazine earlier on this week, but now THQ has officially announced Construction Combat: Lock’s Quest for the Nintendo DS, a real-time strategy adventure with a hint of action thrown in, being handled by 5th Cell, the creators of the handheld’s build-a-hero platformer, Drawn to Life. First details and screenshots inside.

[Screenshots via IGN]

In Construction Combat: Lock’s Quest, players assume the role of Lock, a young boy - part architect, part engineer - as he defends his home from the threat of robot invaders. Lock’s mission is to build defensive structures around the sacred Source Artifacts, in an attempt to defend them from said enemies. Materials such as stone, metal and wood can be used to erect such defences. There are also quirky weapons such as quicksand traps and glue cannons that the player can use to attack enemies.

THQ also reveals that players will be able to battle with friends via multi-cart play or via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.

Construction Combat: Lock’s Quest is currently scheduled for release this autumn.