The cult classic video game The Showdown Effect is just about to get a free, fully licensed fan release, courtesy of publisher Paradox Interactive. The game is currently scheduled to be released on August 20, 2022 after a somewhat lengthy development process. Players are not in fact even required to have a copy of the original game.
“The Showdown Effect: Reloaded is a fan-created, officially licensed from Paradox Interactive, ultimate edition of The Showdown Effect,” the developers remarked. “The Showdown Effect: Reloaded is a high-octane, 2D, platform fighter where you fight up to seven other players in action-packed battles! 100 percent fan developed.”
When it comes to features, the fan release doesn’t disappoint. According to the developers, “this ultimate edition includes bug fixes, balance improvements, new features, and is completely free, no need to have the original title.” The team goes on to explain that “if you're interested in trying this game out, an early release version can be installed here.”
The Showdown Effect was released to rather mixed reviews back in 2013, but soon developed a strong community of players. The game remains a cult classic to this day. Set in a futuristic Tokyo during the year 2027, the game drew heavily from exploitation films, all of the characters being one of the various protagonists in these movies. The interaction between characters mostly consists of comical barks and one liners.
The two studios behind the original game, Pixeldiet and Arrowhead, once described The Shadow Effect as a “2.5D multiplayer action game in which players will be participating in deathmatches to gain glory and fame. The Showdown Effect operates on the principle of ‘more is more’ and offers an infinite amount of ways to customize your gameplay. Whether it’s character, stage, game mode, or weapons, customize as much as you want and control how creatively you want to kill your friends! Remember, the gorier it is, the better the showdown you will have!”
The community which has built up around the original game over the course of this past decade is of course looking forward to the fan release with great anticipation. The overall feeling is nostalgic, but many people are hoping The Showdown Effect gets a new lease on life going forward.