Showa American Story, a new action RPG from developer Nekcom Games Inc. who is best known for the Dying room escape games, has been given a reveal trailer today. Previously the game was known under the working title Project SAS and was previously given a teaser trailer that offered nothing to go. And if that name sounds odd don’t worry, the game is oddity the way only Japan can pull off.
The game is set in an alternate reality version of American in which America became an unofficial colony of Japan. This all occurs during 1966 during an economic bubble for the island nation during the Showa period (1926-1989). Players take control of a female character in this America as she travels across it… FOR SURVIVAL! Oh, did I not mention that an incident occurred 10 years prior to the events of the game that cause zombies and monsters to roam America.
Honestly though, from this first trailer, the game conjures great vibes on what I will call ‘Japamericana’. We see a take on the famous Beverly Hill’s Hollywood sign that states ‘Neo Yokohama’, a bizarre spaceman in a suit poster that says ‘Make America Great Again’, as well as an advertisement for the statue of liberty in which she wears a kimono. Unlike other stories like The Man In The High Castle, it seems that the big gimmick in the narrative here is that America chose to become a colony and was not invaded.
As far as gameplay is concerned, it is a mix of hack and slashes against groups of enemies with melee weapons like katana’s or drills, as well as gunplay. There was also a segment that features the main character driving a motorcycle along desert roads.
Now, I will openly state that both graphics and gameplay-wise Showa American Story is not the best-looking game I have seen. However, the game does appear to be summoning a heavy vibe of PlayStation 2 era Japanese development, and I cannot help but get excited for that. Showa American Story is announced for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Steam though no release plans have been detailed.
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