Lizhuoqi (Nancy) Ruan
Showa Lost Memories: Loop
Showa lost memories is a game that tells stories in past, now and future. The game is about how “I” received a CRT and surprisingly, the game contains a game that tells a story which happens in 1980, Japan.
The game is about “me” recieving a present from Father and experiencing this game about a 22-year-old character during Japan in 1980. The game discussed nihilism, romance and brave through visual elements, sounds, story and decision making to perform the emotions, experience and connections between Yamada Takashi, “me” and the player.
The story about Yamada Takashi introduced “me” to Japan’s storied past and guided “me” to consider my life, environments and the connection Yamada Takashi.
Players can experience the game through multiple decision making which towards to unique endings. This game maintains the concept that denies traditional game making habits which define results such as “good ending” and “bad ending”. In fact, I encourage players to experience the stories themselves and build their own understanding of nihilism.
And in a certain moment during this journey, we can’t help but ask ourselves: In the game we’re making, is it the serene moon of Tokyo that’s dropped its light on us, or is it the cold, sharp wind in London?