At Gamescom, Showa American Story received an all-new trailer and a phenomenal presence on the show floor, complete with a fully decorated, themed booth that authentically represented this game’s vibe. That vibe can be accurately summed up as ‘batshit crazy’, and it’s utterly incredible.
I didn’t know what to expect going in, but I had around 30 minutes behind closed doors to experiment with Showa American Story, and I came away absolutely cemented in the knowledge that this game will turn heads.
If only because it’s absolutely insane.
I Have No Idea What’s Happening
From the moment I sat down in a cozy room behind the scenes at Gamescom to play Showa American Story, I knew I was in for a wild ride.
I was presented with a scantily clad character (who I could make even more scantily clad, if I wanted to), accompanied by a guy in a wheelchair, making our way through a twisted, ruined rendition of the United States, fighting face-painted gang members with reckless abandon.
At every turn, Showa American Story became more convoluted and inane.
In one sequence, I was slamming a gang called The Warriors (huh?) to pieces while wielding a U.S. flag as a two-handed polearm (what?) and relying on fancy energy drinks to boost my combat abilities (okay?). I saved a guy who had peed his pants in fear and another who had been stripped naked for fun, covering his private parts with handheld fans.
I can’t even stress to you how much is mixed up in this game.
You explore a post-apocalyptic (of sorts) alt-history rendition of America, assuming control of a stunning heroine resurrected from the dead, and on your journey, you’ll come face-to-face with things like:
- Hopscotch minigames
- Masked boss characters who kind of resemble Jesus
- Absolutely normal folks wandering Japanese-inspired streets dripping in neon and corporate satire
- Bicycles that you can fix up and ride around at your own leisure
- Racing car arcade games featuring characters with an ample bosom
- An incredible soundtrack that reminds you of days gone by
- Your main characters buttcheeks being constantly thrust in your face
I mean, seriously. This is post-apocalyptic America in Showa American Story, and this is your star, Chigusa Choko:
You can upgrade and customize an RV that becomes your home away from home, and you can take part in a range of minigames and side activities that never leave you wanting for something to do.
Combat is simple, entertaining, and very visual, relying on an array of melee weapons and traditional firearms, as well as more bizarre implements that could only work as a weapon in a game like this.
It’s absurd, sure, but Showa American Story wears that accolade proudly on its sleeve. I don’t care how insane it is at first blush; I came away from my private demo eager for more.
Showa American Story should hit the market later this year. For now, you can wishlist it on Steam.
Let us know on the Insider Gaming Discord server if this sounds like your kind of game.
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Grant has been gaming for 30+ years and in the industry for 10+. You'll probably find him playing a post-apocalyptic game or an extraction shooter somewhere.
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