Major media outlets such as IGN have released playtest reports for the domestic action RPG "Showa American Story." This media preview lasted approximately two hours, covering story combat, camp exploration, open map navigation, and a major boss battle.
This title is an action RPG set in an alternate history. The story takes place in the late 1980s, where Japan has purchased most of the United States and implemented colonization on economic and cultural levels. Players assume the role of Chigusa Diezi, a girl resurrected from the dead, as she searches for her missing sister and uncovers the truth in a world filled with zombies, monsters, and eccentric survivors. Creative Director Luo Xiangyu describes the game as an "RPG stuffed with retro pop culture." The demo is divided into four parts, sequentially showcasing linear story and combat, a camp for resting and growth, an open map, and a major boss battle.
In terms of combat, Diezi can use various melee weapons and equip ranged firearms like shotguns and rifles. Dealing or taking damage fills a gauge, converting into up to 5 points of Rage, which can be used to execute finishing moves, chain attacks with instant weapon switching, perfect dodges, and super recovery. Playtest reports note that the current hit-stop duration is somewhat long, potentially slowing down the combat pace, and enemy attack animations are difficult to read. Each weapon has six parameters: base power, rage generation, penetration, critical hit rate, critical multiplier, and stamina cost, which can be upgraded to level 5 using dollars and parts. As characters gain experience, base attributes like HP, stamina, and defense increase in real-time, while also earning Combat Points used to unlock skills.
In terms of exploration, the game features a semi-open box-garden design. Main story progression primarily relies on a vehicle called the "Crimson Lotus," which serves as a mobile base. Inside, Diezi can interact with companions, decorate the space, and spend Action Points earned through picking up items or dialogue to engage in activities like drinking soda, exercising, and bathing. These activities provide attribute and Rage experience, gradually increasing resistance to eight types of status effects such as burn, electrocution, and poison.
Playtest reports point out that the game's atmosphere is similar to Sega's RPG series "Yakuza" (Like a Dragon), including settings like the "Zombie Rights Association." Normal and Hard difficulties are named "Heisei Loser" and "Showa Man," respectively. The report also notes that character models and facial animations appear slightly stiff, but the open shopping district features numerous NPCs, with different shops selling their own unique items.
During exploration, players can find companions and soak their feet by the water with them to increase HP attributes. The scenes also feature fully playable arcade mini-games, styled similarly to Sega's "Space Harrier" and "Out Run." Regarding the demo, playtest reports suggest that its combat mechanics and overall polish exceed expectations, though it still falls short of modern large-scale action games.