Showgunners (2023)

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!

A pared back turn-based strategy that successfully replicates the action of XCOM but is so lacking in originality and variety it feels like half the game it could have been.