Showgunners

“If you like Running Man style movies, this time you can experience for yourself what it's like to be both hunter and victim at the same time. A successful combination of exploring the environment with real-time traps and puzzles and intuitive turn-based battles creates a fun and unconventional experience.”

“Showgunners is a violent delight that leans into its setting and premise to great effect. It may not be the deepest tactical RPG out there, which, in turn, removes a lot of the replayability that the genre is known for, but as a 12-15 hour experience that puts spectacle and accessible systems first, it’s a hell of a good time. You could argue that by removing a lot of the class versatility and research systems that genre veterans appreciate, it’s narrowing its appeal somewhat, and I myself don’t see myself ever going back for a repeat playthrough. However, it’s just as easy to argue that by carving its own path and not sticking religiously to genre conventions, Showgunners is opening the door to a whole new world of players looking for something less intimidating as a gateway into the tactical RPG space. It might not have enough meat on the bone to become your next obsession, but if you want to see meat carved from the bone in tactical bloodbaths, Showgunners is absolutely worth experiencing.”

“An interesting turn-based tactical game that doesn't innovate but is an honest proposition for fans of the genre.”

“ShowGunners is a fantastic-looking game that delivers violence and gameplay in droves. If you're looking for something none-too taxing then this could be right up your alley! Not sure yet? Try the demo first!”

“In its looks and execution, Showgunners does what it set out to do and creates a turn-based love letter to the 90s, updating those themes for a modern audience, while still somehow not managing to lose authenticity. It's a job well done and I'd much like to explore this universe further in the future.”

“Showgunners consistently delivers thrills, strategy, violence and a pitch-black satire of capitalism, social media and fame.”

“The zippy speed, 80s-style death sports game show aesthetic and sound tactical decisions all coalesce into an experience suited to both tactics veterans looking for a shorter sugar hit or novices wanting an easy way into the genre.”

“I dove with both feet into the turn-based strategy genre with Showgunners and came out pleasantly surprised. This is a mechanically-sound, polished experience with a strong blend of challenge and gratification. It also never managed to be stale, as it introduced new enemies and upgrades at a steady rate.”

“Showgunners is showing massive potential to shake things up in the turn-based strategy genre while maintaining a great story to keep you coming back. You’ll be made to think on your toes and sometimes outside the box, though this is also what makes it such a great game. The voice acting, visuals and general challenges in Showgunners pull it all together for a game that can appeal to everybody, making it well worth the time.”

“Showgunners is a true spectacle that stays true to its format for a game that doesn’t overstay its welcome. The turn-based gameplay is really smart, and the third-person real-time movement is a nice change of pace for the genre. It’s scripted fun you can save scum to your hearts content, or die a glorious death in ironman mode. Homicidal All-Stars is not a show I would watch, but I definitely enjoyed taking part in its vision of the future of reality and game shows. Showgunners is not tactically dense, though it offers a uniquely tight turn-based experience you should definitely pick-up.”

“A fun strategy video game bent on spontaneously breaking the rigid rules of the genre.”

“Showgunner blends real-time action and turn-based combat very carefully, adding nothing to either genre but placing them within a brutal reality show in which surviving is everything that matters. The result is fun and the game is recommended for loyal fans of the genre, but those hoping for some new features may be disappointed.”

“Showgunners creates a bombastic, colourful, chaotic world that incorporates elements of reality TV, turn-based combat, dystopian energy and characters that grow alongside a strong narrative. All of these elements combined could have made the game a messy experience, but the story kept me engaged, and I felt intrinsically motivated to conquer Homicidal All-Stars so that Scarlett can finally find peace. Showgunners is a successful mash-up, and Artificer's inclusion of various intertwining gameplay features make the game an ever changing, fun ride that made me excited along each step of the way.”

“Showgunners is a good example of turn-based combat set within a dystopian world that will take you, on average, somewhere in the realm of 15-18 hours to complete the full game. This isn’t a bad duration, but for those who want a more procedurally generated experience with a lot of replayability, this may not be the game for you. For everyone else, it’s a fun ride with a grisly world and an enjoyable if fairly standard combat system.”

“If you’re a fan of the XCOM style of games, you’ll find a lot to enjoy in Showgunners. Though lacking some polish in the mechanical side of things and not straying far from a tried and true formula, the game is still solid and has a ton to offer with its style and setting.”

“If you like the genre you'll find Showgunners a worthy inclusion, despite its no-frills approach. Just go in with the right expectations.”