In Shogun Showdown, you fight as a samurai in a turn-based tactics game set in a Japanese-inspired world. It is also a roguelike with deck-building elements, which means each attempt starts over and the attacks you use come from tiles you collect along the way. It is simple to start with, but it takes practice to master.
A run starts when you pick a hero. The Wanderer is the first one, and she starts with a pair of basic attack tiles. Each battle takes place on a short line of spaces, and enemies come in waves from either side. On each turn you pick one action, like moving, turning, placing a tile in your attack queue or firing the tiles you already placed, and then the enemies take theirs. Enemy attacks are shown ahead of time, so you can plan around them.
A run moves through regions, each made of a few battles that end in a boss. Coins earned along the way buy tile upgrades and skills in shops, while skulls from bosses carry over between runs and unlock new tiles and skills at the Camp. Beating certain bosses unlocks four more heroes: the Ronin, the Shadow, the Jujitsuka and the Chain Master. The long-term goal is to beat the Shogun, then take on harder Days, where each new Day adds a twist like elite enemies or corrupted bosses.
- Developer
- Roboatino
- Publisher
- Goblinz Publishing, Gamirror Games, Entalto Publishing
- Release
- PlayStation 5: 2024-09-05 · Nintendo Switch: 2024-09-05 · Windows, macOS, Linux: 2024-09-05 · Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S: 2024-09-05
- Platforms
- Windows, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
Game data
Tiles
Tiles are the attack cards you use in every battle. Each one has a damage value, a reach that sets which spaces it hits, and a cooldown that sets how many turns it takes to recharge, and Free-Play tiles don't use up your turn when queued. Tiles come from tile choices during a run and skull unlocks between runs, and upgrades and enchantments change how each one performs.
Skills
Skills are passive upgrades bought in the game's shops with coins. A couple of general skills can show up in any shop, the Warring, Combo, Guarding and Dancer shops each sell their own themed set, and the Astronomer shop sells two rare exclusives. Skulls unlock more skills for future runs, and buying a skill you already own raises its level.
Enemies
The enemies are the Shogun's underlings, and each regular type fights in its own way. They take their turns after you and show their moves ahead of time, so planning ahead is central to every fight. Elite versions of all but two types appear from Day 2, adding extra health and special traits like Quick, Heavy and Reactive Shield.
Bosses
Bosses are the tough enemies that close out each region, and beating one opens the way to the next area. Each boss fights on a short strip, lines up its attacks where you can see them, and many call in helpers. The Shogun waits at the end of every run, and corrupted versions of the regional bosses appear from Day 4 on.
Collectibles
Achievements
Steam achievements cover boss and Day clears, combat feats, stamp goals, restricted runs and progress milestones. Most are hidden on Steam until you earn them. The goals build on one another, starting with a first win over the Shogun and working toward every hero and stamp.
Shogun Showdown gameplay tips
- Plan two or three moves ahead. A placed tile does nothing until you spend another action to fire it, and you can queue up to three tiles. Working out the order early keeps you from scrambling when a new wave arrives.
- Step out of a prepared attack. Enemies show the attack they are about to make before they make it. If you move or swap out of its lane before it lands, the attack hits nothing.
- Swap places with an enemy when its attack is about to land. The Wanderer's special ability trades places with the enemy in front of her. Because the enemy keeps facing the same way, its attack can end up pointing away from you.
- Use free actions before you end a turn. Using a consumable doesn't use up your turn, and Free-Play tiles such as Curse and Dash can be queued without passing one. They let you get more out of the same turn.
- Upgrade the tiles you rely on. A tile on cooldown can't be used, and a long cooldown can leave you with no attack at the moment you need one. Spending coins on upgrades for your key tiles keeps them hitting harder or ready more often.
- Spend skulls at the Camp between runs. Skulls stay with you after a run ends, and they unlock new tiles and skills that can turn up in later runs. Unlocking a few strong options early gives every future run a better pool to draw from.