The upcoming action game Nekome: Nazi Hunter features its protagonist gleefully butchering fascists in both Germany and America, yet its developers at ProbablyMonsters have insisted the game is not political. The studio claims the title does not aim to make a political statement, despite its premise.
During a Gamescom demo, players are placed in the role of Vano, a Romani protagonist whose family was murdered by Nazis. The demo begins with Vano working as a waiter at a dinner attended by high-ranking Nazis. After an opening speech by a leading Nazi, Vano reveals a severed Wehrmacht head and proceeds to stab every unarmed Nazi in the room to death.
Mechanically, the demo showcases clunky combat and movement, with animations that do not blend smoothly and a camera that can get caught on objects. The combat erupts in staccato movements rather than fluid action.
Despite these mechanical shortcomings, the game boasts a distinct grindhouse style, drawing inspiration from films like Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds. When enemies are close to defeat, players can unleash finishers, where Vano uses a knife to dramatically disembowel them. The game also features a "focus mode" that allows players to target specific enemy body parts for additional damage. Post-combat prompts encourage players to "desecrate corpse," leading to further violent actions against fallen enemies.
Cinematic flourishes, such as frame lines appearing as Vano's violence escalates, punctuate the action. The game's setting shifts from Europe to the United States, where Vano confronts the German American Bund, a historical pro-Nazi organization. Vano attacks their offices after they target his mentor, smashing printing presses and using various objects as weapons. The game highlights Vano's commentary that these Americans have "sworn themselves to a morally bankrupt cause."
The developers at ProbablyMonsters stated that they were not "political" and that Nekome was not making a political statement. However, the game's themes of slaughtering European and American Nazis, particularly during a period of rising far-right activity globally, strike some observers as politically charged. When asked if Vano's quest for vengeance would lead to regret, the developers responded, "I don't think you'll feel bad about killing Nazis in this game."