Survive the Spotlight: A Review of Showgunners on Xbox

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Key art for Showgunners featuring a battle-worn woman with a shotgun standing in a neon-lit, dystopian urban arena under the game's stylized title.

If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if XCOM had a bloody, neon-soaked baby with The Running Man, look no further. Showgunners, developed by Artificer and recently launched on Xbox Series X|S, is a turn-based tactical shooter that trades the stoic alien-hunting of its peers for the high-octane, televised brutality of a dystopian reality show.

After spending some time in the arenas of “Homicidal All-Stars,” here is why Xbox players should keep this one on their radar.

The Premise: Revenge as a Spectacle

Set in a grim future where corporations rule, and human life is the ultimate currency, you play as Scarlett Martillo. Scarlett isn’t just a contestant; she’s a woman on a mission of vengeance, participating in a lethal game show to hunt down the man who ruined her life.

The game leans hard into its 80s/90s retro-dystopian aesthetic. Think RoboCop meets Smash TV. The satire is sharp, the announcers are appropriately sleazy, and the crowd’s roar is a constant reminder that you aren’t just fighting to survive—you’re fighting for ratings.

Gameplay: Tactics with a Twist

The core loop of Showgunners is split between two distinct phases:

  1. Tactical Combat: Fans of XCOM or Gears Tactics will feel right at home. It’s grid-based, cover-heavy, and uses an Action Point (AP) system. However, it feels faster and more aggressive. The abilities are flashy—from Scarlett’s “Run and Gun” style to her allies’ more exotic skills like hacking drones or creating holograms.
  2. Real-Time Exploration: Between firefights, you navigate the urban arenas in real-time. This is where you’ll dodge lethal traps, solve environmental puzzles, and hunt for loot. It adds a nice layer of tension that keeps the pace from feeling like a slow crawl.

The Show Director Mechanic: This is the game’s secret sauce. An AI “Show Director” watches your performance. If you’re playing too cautiously or the ratings are dipping, they might drop a train into the middle of the map or flood the area with toxic gas. Conversely, playing with “panache” might earn you health drops or fan gifts.

Xbox Performance & Features

Running on Xbox Series X, Showgunners is a treat. It targets 4K resolution at a smooth 60 FPS, and the vibrant neon colors of the cyberpunk arenas look stunning on an HDR display.

One of the biggest hurdles for tactical games on console is the UI, but Artificer has done a stellar job here. The transition to a controller feels natural—navigating menus and selecting targets is snappy, and the “Smart Delivery” support ensures you’re playing the best version for your hardware. Plus, it’s an Xbox Play Anywhere title, meaning your save carries over if you decide to switch between your console and PC.

Final Verdict: Is it Worth Your Credits?

Showgunners doesn’t try to reinvent the tactical wheel, but it polishes it until it shines with blood and neon.

The Good:

  • Accessible Complexity: It’s a great “entry point” for the genre—challenging but not overwhelming.
  • Strong Style: The 90s action-movie vibes are immaculate.
  • The Show Director: Adds a layer of unpredictability, making every match feel dynamic.

The Not-So-Good:

  • Story Simplicity: The revenge plot is serviceable but predictable.
  • Repetition: By the final hours, some of the mission structures can feel a bit “been there, shot that.”

At $34.99 (or $37.99 for the Platinum Edition), Showgunners offers a tight, 15-hour campaign that is pure, unadulterated fun. If you’re looking for a strategy game that prioritizes spectacle and “just one more turn” momentum, this is a show you don’t want to miss.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.