Tales of Producer Reacts to Nekcom JRPG Showa American Story

On January 7, 2P Games officially announced Showa 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 Story first details

The first thing striking about this action RPG is 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 of Showa American Story, Showa Era is still continuing and the game takes place in Showa Year 66 /1991. Not only that, but Showa American Story also 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.

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Gameplay mechanics

Players will explore America on a bike, and encounter zombies and hostile survivors. The battle system of Showa American Story lets you switch between several weapons. And the zombies die in flashy explosions of blood. It feels like a mix of Dead Rising and Oneechanbara.

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 Story trailer & “That Pool” meme explained

Interestingly, the reveal trailer also shows “that pool” 例のプール. 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 Story theme song Sorega Daiji explained

Additionally, the theme song heard in the Steam trailer is Sorega Daiji, an iconic song from 1991 by Daijiman Brothers Orchestra. You can 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 backing Lost Soul Aside.

China Hero Project also teased the game before its reveal.

Tales of producer Yusuke Yomizawa reacts to Showa American Story Steam trailer

Soon after the game’s reveal, Yusuke Tomizawa also highly praised Showa American Story on Twitter: “This is the most amazing trailer I’ve seen in a while. This is Showa 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 praised Showa American Story. ANNO: Mutationem is scheduled for an early 2022 release.

Showa American Story has no release date yet, but its Steam page was just opened. Personally speaking, I love games with crazy political settings, and I’m hoping Showa American Story will be as satirical as Freedom Fighters. I’m definitely adding the game to my watchlist.