Nekome: Nazi Hunter Is a Gloriously Brutal Middle Finger to Nazis—and It Absolutely Rules

When the premiere trailer for Nekome: Nazi Hunter first surfaced, its pitch was refreshingly direct: a stylish, grindhouse-fueled spectacle centered entirely on the relentless, unapologetic obliteration of Third Reich fascists. That premise alone was captivating, but after spending roughly half an hour with a hands-on build, the title proves to be an exceptionally cathartic thrill ride.

A Feast Turned Bloodbath

Nekome: Nazi Hunter revels in pure, unrestrained retribution. The preview opens in a lavish European estate where the protagonist, Vano Nastasu, infiltrates an opulent gathering disguised as a silver-service butler. High-ranking Nazi officers sit surrounded by decadence, callously reveling in the expansion of concentration camps between mouthfuls of roasted poultry and fine wine. The celebratory atmosphere shatters instantly when Vano presents the evening’s main course: a silver cloche lifted to reveal the severed head of an officer, skull pinned by a combat blade.

Wielding a blade etched with “Nekome”—the Yiddish word for vengeance—Vano immediately amputates the lead officer’s arm, disembowels him, and slits his throat in fluid succession. From that point, control is handed over to the player. Tapping through melee combinations turns the banquet hall into an absolute abattoir. Defenses crumble under heavy strikes, and precision parries allow you to carve through the surviving entourage with sheer momentum.

While the preview build reflects an unpolished pre-beta state—complete with occasional mechanical quirks—the visceral satisfaction of its hack-and-slash loop remains undeniable. It prioritizes fluid carnage over intricate systems, and it succeeds effortlessly on that front.

Origins of a Vendetta

The narrative grounds its over-the-top violence through a tragic flashback. As a young boy, Vano witnessed his family executed by a ruthless detachment known as “Hitler’s Hyenas,” commanded by the very officer dispatched in the opening scene. After gunning down Vano’s parents, the commander forced Vano and his sister into a cruel trial of survival with a single knife. Choosing self-sacrifice over fratricide, Vano turned the blade on himself. Left for dead after a follow-up bullet to the spine, he miraculously endured.

Taking the Hunt to the Streets of New York

The timeline subsequently shifts forward to 1940s New York City, where an older Vano hones his craft under Harold, a gritty butcher serving as both mentor and confidant. Just as Harold emphasizes the discipline required for true retribution, enemy operatives breach the shop and execute him, escalating Vano’s campaign.

The ensuing pursuit leads into rain-slicked Manhattan alleyways crawling with sympathizers from the German American Bund. This section introduces straightforward yet lethal stealth mechanics, allowing players to stalk targets from the shadows before executing silent takedowns. Whether engaging from stealth or diving into full-blown melee brawls, the gameplay remains consistently gratifying.

If this brief hands-on preview is any indication, Nekome: Nazi Hunter is shaping up to be an unvarnished, action-packed revenge saga when it arrives early next year.