Showa American Story - A Weird Zombie Game To Look Out For
Nov. 7, 2024Showa American Story – A Weird Zombie Game To Look Out For
Showa American Story is an upcoming RPG developed by NECKOM Entertainment, a team of Chinese gaming developers known for their horror games, characterized as ” an enthusiastic love letter to the 80s’ pop culture that features a strong taste of B-Movies”. The game takes place in an alternate timeline during Showa 66, where Japan’s economic success has led to significant cultural changes in the United States, effectively turning it into an unofficial colony.
The story begins a decade after a mysterious event that appears to have triggered a zombie apocalypse. Players assume the role of Choko, a teenage girl who mysteriously returns from the dead. Her quest involves navigating a chaotic landscape filled with zombies and monsters as she seeks to reunite with her sister. The story combines themes of zombie horror, satire, and absurdity, catering to fans of the genre.
Showa American Story takes players back to the 80s, a time packed with memorable stuff like mullets and incredibly short shorts, letting you explore the quirky world of post-apocalyptic “Showa America.”. What’s funny about this game is that it’s a game made by Chinese developers and is a caricature of both Japanese and American stereotypes sprinkled with some Bayonetta, Yakuza, and Dead Rising. There are multiple cultures involved. If that sounds absurd to you then you’re in for a treat, because that’s only the start. A notable visual takeaway from the trailer is the reimagined Hollywood sign, now changed to “Neo Yokohama,” and there’s even a Neo Tokyo-4. What happened to the other 3? These changes reflect the game’s mix of American and Japanese cultural influences. The trailer features nostalgic references from the 80s, including items such as yo-yos, pogo sticks, candy machines, and retro video games, even coin-operated rides, but instead of the usual horses, we get super sentai-inspired characters.
The game also tackles themes of culture and identity, taking players to reflect on the implications of Japan’s influence over America in this alternate universe. This story gets you thinking about cultural exchange and the mixed-up identities in a world that blends different influences. Players will explore a variety of locations in an effort to look for Choko’s sister. The game’s environments mix familiar American landmarks with creative designs, creating a vibe that appeals to both RPG fans and B-Movie lovers.
Showa American Story also gives players a cool open-world experience where you can explore and dive into side quests. You’ll run into a bunch of quirky characters along the way, which really adds some life to the gameplay. This setup encourages players to just wander around and get to know some stories that are beyond just the main storyline. You’ll be doing a lot of traveling in the game too. There’s footage showing you riding a bike that looks like it came straight out of Kamen Rider, and there’s also a truck you can drive around. Plus, in the latest trailer, you can even take pictures with a camera, kind of like in Final Fantasy XV. Wouldn’t it be cool to drive around a zombie-infested post-apocalyptic Japanese America while taking pictures of the scenery? It’s like something out of a Kojima game.
Speaking of characters, You’ll meet all sorts of survivors with their own unique stories, each bringing something different to the story. The character lineup is full of weird and funny figures that add to the game’s charm. There’s a president who sticks to a strict routine of watching anime at exactly 6:30 every single day. Then there’s Freddie, a guy dressed like Astro Boy, who hilariously asks about your friend’s underwear, and some very colorful individuals with menacing weapons and poses. And it doesn’t stop there; you’ll also run into a group of guys in underwear who can merge together like some sort of megazord, along with Gokou, the governor of Texas who says he’s both a cowboy and a samurai. This quirky cast, for me, is what makes the game feel unique compared to other games in the genre. and reminds you of The Way of the Samurai series, which is also known for not taking itself too seriously. The humor and offbeat personalities in both games create a fun, memorable atmosphere that invites players to just enjoy the ride.
One of the fun aspects is the variety of minigames packed into the experience. There’s a workout minigame where you lift dumbbells, although it’s not clear if doing these will actually help you level up or give you any buffs. They’ve also said that there will be a lot of minigames that will be nostalgic for people who lived in the 80s. You can also mess around with different toys in the game as well. It reminds me a lot of the Yakuza series and its minigames that often don’t tie into the main story, but you’re just really glad that they are there. We even see Choko using a zombie’s head as a golf ball in one of the trailers, so who knows? There might be a goofy minigame around that. Overall, the mix of exploration, character interactions, and fun minigames really makes Showa American Story a lively and entertaining experience.
Players will also have access to an RV that serves as Choko’s homebase, which can be customized and upgraded for various bonuses. Upgrading the RV allows players to enhance Choko’s status and unlock new abilities through different “Living Activities.” These activities utilize resources collected during exploration and combat, including weapons, costumes, collectibles, experience points, and nostalgic mini-games. This feature provides players with opportunities to improve their character and strengthen their capabilities in the game’s post-apocalyptic setting.
The game features intense combat with graphic content and action-packed sequences. The trailer showcases Choko facing off against zombies, highlighting moments of over-the-top violence, such as stomping on a zombie’s head and decapitating multiple foes with a single swing of her sword. This brutality aligns perfectly with the game’s overall tone. Combat looks fast-paced and incorporates mechanics that could usually be found in classic action RPGs, requiring players to time their dodges and attacks effectively and be able to counterattack. Players can take down hordes of zombies and give you that sort of feel similar to the experience found in musou games. It’s not all mobs though because you’ll run into enemy bosses where you’ll need to hit their weakpoints to do a lot of damage.
As for the weapons that you will use, the game trailer showcased a lot of weapons. The steam page also implies that the game will have a diverse arsenal, featuring weapons like a giant energy drill, a katana, a rifle, and a shotgun, suggesting players will have many options for combat. I hope we get the chance to merge weapons, similar to mechanics seen in Dead Rising. With its free-flowing and brutal combat style, players will engage in fast-paced encounters against waves of zombies and monsters, combining movement, attacks, and dodges in various scenarios. This gameplay encourages players to experiment with different melee and ranged weapons, as well as some unusual options, allowing them to adopt a combat style that suits their preferences while tackling a variety of enemies, including zombies, monsters, and bosses.
As more details come out, it looks likeShowa American Storyis set to deliver a fun mix of humor, action, and storytelling that could really set it apart from other titles in the genre.
NECKOM Entertainment is cooking upShowa American Story, mixing nostalgia with some fresh ideas. The gameplay aims to be a mix of combat, exploration, and minigames. Players will face off against waves of zombies while also getting to enjoy some lighthearted side activities that make everything more enjoyable. One cool feature is the customizable RV that acts as a hub for players, letting them plan strategies and level up Choko’s skills as they go along.
The combat system is all about letting players try out different strategies, plus it embraces that over-the-top graphic violence that fits right in with the B-Movie vibe. This blend of serious action and humor keeps things entertaining and encourages players to think outside the box when it comes to using the environment and managing resources. The game’s world is packed with narrative, too, with survivors sharing their stories about what’s happening in Showa America, adding some real depth to character interactions and the overall lore.
Showa American Storyis shaping up to catch the attention of RPG fans who enjoy quirky narratives with a B-Movie twist. With engaging gameplay, a solid story, and a unique visual style, it seems set to resonate with a wide range of players. The game mixes cultural influences, humor, and action in a post-apocalyptic setting, which adds to its potential as an interesting new entry in the gaming scene.
I really like howShowa American Storymanages to keep things lively without feeling too heavy or exhausting, all thanks to its humor and absurdity. It’s a game that doesn’t take itself too seriously, which is super refreshing in today’s gaming world. It kind of gives off vibes similar to quirky games likeWay of the Samurai, where you’re constantly wondering, “What just happened?” The weirdness really stands out, and it’s not something you usually expect from a zombie game.
We still don’t know a whole lot about the game, and the gameplay footage is pretty limited, but I’m liking what I’ve seen so far. Of course, being silly doesn’t automatically make a game good, so I’m curious about what else it’ll bring to the table. The trailer mentioned we’ll get more news this winter, so fingers crossed for a solid release date and some extra gameplay to check out.
What do you think aboutShowa American Story? Is it something you’re excited about? Planning to play it when it drops? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Castielle
Senior Editor at Fextralife. I enjoy gaming, playing and watching sports, cooking yummy food, watching a good movie and hanging out with Fex.
