On January 7, 2P Games officially announcedShowa American Story(PS4, PS5, PC Steam) developed by Nekcom Entertainment, and many in Japan have been praising its crazy reveal trailer that even features “that pool”.
Showa American Storyfirst details
The first thing striking aboutthis action RPGis its story. In an alternate 1958, Japan is a superpower that colonized the United States. creating “Showa America”.
In our real history, Showa is the era Japan was in from 1926 to 1989. Showa ended with Year 64 / 1989 and was followed by Heisei. However, in the world ofShowa American Story,Showa Era is still continuing and the game takes place in Showa Year 66 /1991. Not only that, butShowa American Storyalso takes place at the beginning of a zombie apocalypse.
The protagonist is Choko Chigusa, a 19 years old action movie actress and stuntwoman. When reaching Neo Yokohama aka Hollywood, Choko was murdered and her sister disappeared. However, Choko mysteriously revives, and the world gets overtaken by zombies. Choko decides to travel across the United States to find her sister.
Gameplay mechanics
Players will explore America on a bike, and encounter zombies and hostile survivors. The battle system ofShowa American Storylets you switch between several weapons. And the zombies die in flashy explosions of blood. It feels like a mix ofDead RisingandOneechanbara.
Through battles and exploration, you can also obtain collectibles and clothes. There are various retro items you can collect and display at your base too. The game also has several mini-games.
Showa American Storytrailer & “That Pool” meme explained
Interestingly, the reveal trailer also shows “that pool” ä¾ã®ãã¼ã«. This is a popular meme on the Japanese side of the internet referring to Hanazono Room. A studio in Shinjuku that’s regularly rented for swimsuit gravure and cosplay, pool-themed erotic photoshoots, and R18 videos. Confirming the B-movie status of the game.
Showa American Storytheme songSorega Daijiexplained
Additionally, the theme song heard in the Steam trailer isSorega Daiji, an iconic song from 1991 by Daijiman Brothers Orchestra. you may tell the developers know their stuff, and it’s not an exaggeration to say the game is a love letter to 80s and 90s Japan.
Link with China Hero Project
Nekcom Games is a Chinese studio based in Wuhan, and is being backed by China Hero Project. The Sony Interactive Entertainment initiative is most famous for backingLost Soul Aside.
China Hero Project alsoteased the game before its reveal.
Tales ofproducer Yusuke Yomizawa reacts toShowa American StorySteam trailer
Soon after the game’s reveal, Yusuke Tomizawa also highly praisedShowa American Storyon Twitter: “This is the most amazing trailer I’ve seen in a while. This isShowa American Story,taking place in a post-apocalyptic world where Japan colonized America during the bubble era. And this reveal trailer is just incredible.”
ANNO: Mutationem, which is also part of China Hero Project,also praisedShowa American Story.ANNO: Mutationemis scheduled for an early 2022 release.
Showa American Storyhas no release date yet, but itsSteam pagewas just opened. Personally speaking, I love games with crazy political settings, and I’m hopingShowa American Storywill be as satirical asFreedom Fighters. I’m definitely adding the game to my watchlist.
