The upcoming version of the turn-based tactical action game isn’t limited to current-generation hardware: the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One are also listed as target platforms, raising the question of why two decade-old systems continue to receive major releases.
Set in a dystopian future dominated by massive corporations, the hottest entertainment in town is a brutal reality show. In Showgunners, players control Scarlett Martillo, a contestant driven by revenge. To win, you must traverse deadly urban arenas packed with lethal traps while facing hordes of heavily armed psychopaths. Every stage is handcrafted to deliver a curated turn-based tactical challenge, while a manipulative show director interferes dynamically, either hindering Scarlett or aiding her rivals depending on your performance.
The shifting encounter design ensures that no two arenas play the same, keeping players engaged and constantly adjusting their strategies. Showgunners aims to entertain both newcomers to turn-based tactical games and long-time genre fans. Scarlett does not fight alone: as the story progresses, new partners join the team, each with abilities capable of dramatically altering combat. Characters can be upgraded through unique skill trees, and equipment can be purchased or earned through missions.
Outside of combat, players must navigate real-time obstacle courses full of traps and puzzles, all while staying alert for sudden ambushes. Psychopathic enemies like the Ogre and the Ronin are only part of the danger: environmental hazards such as ticking bombs and speeding trains keep the tension high. Fame is everything in Showgunners – the more creatively and brutally you survive, the more fans you earn, leading to increasingly lucrative sponsorship deals.
Originally released for PC on May 2, 2023, Showgunners will now arrive on February 19 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and, surprisingly, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One as well, priced at $35 under publisher Klabater. A demo is available on Xbox. Pre-orders include the Platinum Edition for free, featuring Scarlett’s Neon Justice costume, the Costumes and Weapons Pack (three outfits and two weapon skins), and the PlayStation-exclusive Cyber Runner costume.
Source: Gematsu
