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Showa American Story imagines an alternate history in which Japan’s economic power led it to buy America. In this offbeat action RPG from Nekcom, Hollywood has become Neo Yokohama, and protagonist Chigusa Choko fights through a strange, dangerous world while searching for her sister. A Gamescom preview offered a look at its irreverent tone, unusual weapons, and combat—which has plenty of personality, but still feels rough around the edges.
Showa American Story’s alternate-history setting
Director Xiangyu Luo has said the game’s premise draws on rumors from the 1980s that Japan might become powerful enough to buy America. The game turns that idea into a surreal setting shaped by Japanese and American pop culture, with Neo Yokohama occupying the place of Hollywood.
Choko is joined in the preview by Bubba and Michael Hero, who travels with the group in a wheelchair. Their route winds up a mountain where the famous Hollywood sign once stood. Along the way, they encounter the Warriors, a gang dressed in a style reminiscent of the 1979 film The Warriors. The game mixes this visual reference with zombies, oddball characters, and a deliberately exaggerated version of America.
Practical note: The game’s setting is intentionally absurd rather than a realistic alternate-history account. Its cultural references and broad comedy are central to the experience.
Combat, weapons, and demo impressions
The preview’s first combat encounter introduces Choko’s katana. Light and heavy attacks let her strike enemies and build up a stagger meter, while certain sequences use quick-time button presses. The action is designed to be graphic and comedic, but the sword swings felt sluggish during the demo, with some noticeable input delay. Because this was a short Gamescom build, it was unclear whether that delay reflected the finished game or the demo conditions.
Choko also carries firearms, including a machine gun with limited ammunition and a shotgun suited to powerful finishing moves. Other weapons include an American Flag weapon with wide, slow swings and a large drill inspired by the look of a BioShock Big Daddy. The Flag weapon stood out in the preview for its over-the-top, satirical finishing animation, while the drill could hit several enemies in a line.
Weapon-switching combos add variety, but the preview’s controls made them difficult to execute. The Rage and stamina systems also took time to understand. Players should expect to learn how these mechanics work rather than rely only on basic attacks.
A strange boss fight and a bold sense of humor
A separate Chapter 4 demo follows the group as they try to help an onsen owner on the mountain. The mission leads to a boss battle against two large opponents, accompanied by the William Tell Overture. The music and exaggerated presentation reinforce the game’s playful, patriotic satire.
The encounter was memorable, though the combat’s stiffness sometimes interrupted its momentum. The unusual control inputs for weapon combos were especially noticeable in a fast-paced fight. More time with the game may make its systems easier to manage, but the preview did not provide enough time to fully explore them.
What to expect from Showa American Story
Despite its rough combat, Showa American Story made a strong impression through its peculiar setting, eccentric cast, and willingness to lean into absurd humor. Its blend of alternate-history Japan, 1980s-inspired imagery, and action-RPG combat gives it a distinctive identity.
The game was described as planned to launch later in 2026. Until more is known, the Gamescom demo suggests a promisingly unusual adventure, though players interested in precise, fluid combat may want to wait for a more complete look at how the systems develop.
