Buckshot Roulette

96%
Game Brain Score Based on 11,471 reviews
  • gameplay
  • music
  • graphics
Buckshot Roulette Game Cover
A literal bang-or-bust experience, Buckshot Roulette has that it-factor that combines a snappy gameplay loop with a stunningly low bar for entry that will keep you coming back for more.
Starting at $1.20Buy now
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"Buckshot Roulette" is a fast-paced game where you play Russian roulette with a shotgun in an immersive underground nightclub setting. With only 15-20 minutes of gameplay, you must face off against The Dealer in a high-stakes game of chance. The Steam release includes seven tracks of original music and a new Double or Nothing mode for even more intense action. Can you beat The Dealer at his own game?

Play Modes

Reviews

96%
Audience ScoreBased on 11,471 reviews
gameplay189 positive mentions
grinding13 negative mentions
  • gameplay479 mentions

    The gameplay of "Buckshot Roulette" is characterized by its simple yet engaging mechanics that blend strategy and chance, creating a tense atmosphere that keeps players on edge. While many players find the core gameplay loop addictive and enjoyable, some note that it can become repetitive over time, especially with limited variations in gameplay. Overall, the game is praised for its unique concept, aesthetic appeal, and the strategic depth introduced by various items, making it a compelling experience despite its brevity.

    • “The gameplay is fun and easily repeated (with the same amount of happiness of the first playthrough) + it has a kind of retro arcade-like style and really good graphics that fit in the gameplay's style well.”
    • “The game has interesting mechanics that if you shoot yourself with a blank, it will give you another chance to try, which adds a unique twist that doesn't exist in your usual Russian roulette game.”
    • “The gameplay revolves around sharp thinking, requiring players to stay on their toes as they face unpredictable scenarios.”
    • “The gameplay is kind of a little repetitive but not to the point where you know it's boring.”
    • “After a couple of hours, its mechanics get repetitive and there's no point in playing more.”
    • “For now, the gameplay shown by it is too limited, in addition to the highly repetitive and homogeneous game experience, the cash you earn in the game is just a number and has no practical use, this could easily make most players feel bored after several tries.”
  • music340 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its captivating and immersive quality, with many players praising its ability to enhance the overall atmosphere. The soundtrack features a mix of catchy club and industrial tracks that perfectly complement the game's gritty aesthetic, creating an engaging experience that keeps players coming back. While some noted the repetitiveness of certain tracks, the majority agree that the music is a standout feature, making it worth the price of admission alone.

    • “However, the best feature about this game by far has to be its audio: the addicting music for the intro alone gets you hooked, the ambient music when you open the first door is fantastic, but the different audios for each level is genius.”
    • “The music is incredible, the gameplay is simple and fun, the dealer is a lucky character, 10/10.”
    • “The soundtrack is amazing and the game itself captivates you in a way that you'll always want to come back and play again!!!”
    • “The single complaint I have is the music loop.”
    • “I'd love some more varied club music as the main track it uses gets a bit grating.”
    • “I mean look it would be a good game if it wasn't for the audio lag, I literally cannot hear the music without it stopping and playing again every few seconds.”
  • graphics322 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their unique, gritty art style that effectively complements the gameplay and atmosphere. Many players appreciate the retro, low-poly aesthetic reminiscent of classic horror games, which enhances the overall immersive experience. However, some users have reported technical issues, such as lag and a lack of adjustable graphics settings, which can detract from the enjoyment for those with lower-end systems.

    • “The graphics are not only incredible in the visual execution, but also in their intended effect upon the player, the vague concept of the plot and surroundings leave plenty of room for imagination and also do not detract from the simplicity of the gameplay itself.”
    • “The graphics fit the theme excellently along with the 2013-ish party bathroom muffled sounds.”
    • “The art style is perfect for this type of game, animation is quite nice.”
    • “No cloud saves, kind of hard to see visuals, and most importantly no resolution options???”
    • “I like this game so much and I have to tell you it's worth your money but in my system the GTA 5 gives me 40 fps on low settings but this game keeps lagging. No settings for graphics, please devs add something so I can enjoy more.”
    • “At the moment of writing, the game is very buggy and has a lot of major graphical issues.”
  • atmosphere219 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and gripping qualities, characterized by a gritty, industrial aesthetic and a haunting soundtrack that enhances the tension of gameplay. Players appreciate the unique blend of simplicity and depth, with many noting that the atmosphere alone justifies the game's low price. Overall, the game's ability to evoke a sense of unease and excitement through its visuals and sound design is a standout feature that resonates strongly with users.

    • “The atmosphere is great, I think the game is well balanced, and honestly, at this price?”
    • “The base game can be completed in under 30 minutes, yet the atmosphere and world it sets up through its gritty, dingy, and low-poly aesthetic pulls you in immediately and helps sell the feeling of playing a game of life or death.”
    • “The game has a grungy, industrial visual style that gives it its eerie and unsettling atmosphere.”
    • “An unsettling atmosphere is created through these features as the dirty and grotty look of the surroundings and the chilling background noise of the music create suspense and fear.”
    • “The atmosphere is thick and juicy.”
  • replayability186 mentions

    Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, particularly due to the introduction of the "double or nothing" mode, which adds depth and variety to gameplay. While some players note that the game is short, they find the randomness and strategic elements keep them coming back for more. The anticipation of future multiplayer features further enhances its replay value, making it a worthwhile experience for casual gamers and high score chasers alike.

    • “This game is fun, has amazing replayability and will only get funner when multiplayer comes out.”
    • “The premise is captivating, the inscryption-inspired strategy horror and graphics pack a punch, and despite the short time to complete, I have found the game to be incredibly replayable and I will often find myself jumping in for a match or two when I have a spare moment.”
    • “For such a short game you get so much replay value out of everything.”
    • “All the replay value is in a single added game modifier, double or nothing.”
    • “It's enjoyable for a short time, but unfortunately it's not replayable afterwards.”
    • “Zero replayability once you complete it the first time (which I did on the first run).”
  • story155 mentions

    The reviews indicate that the game has a minimal or non-existent story, with many players expressing a desire for more narrative depth and content. While some appreciate the engaging gameplay and atmosphere, they often feel that the lack of a substantial storyline detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the game is seen as enjoyable for its mechanics, but many players wish for a more fleshed-out story to enhance their engagement.

    • “The story is richly layered, with unexpected twists and emotional moments that keep you invested from start to finish.”
    • “The developers have done an outstanding job of bringing these anime characters to life, with fluid animations and expressive faces that draw you into the story.”
    • “Buckshot roulette is an interactive work of art that masterfully combines gritty industrial visuals with legitimately fun gameplay and macabre environmental storytelling.”
    • “The campaign remains short but sweet with no real story.”
    • “The lack of lore and context unfortunately makes the experience a lot lacking; I would've really cared about a story.”
    • “The story is minimal, but there's a lot of small details that paint a bigger picture.”
  • humor124 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised, with players highlighting its dark, absurd, and slapstick elements that lead to frequent laughter, particularly from the antics of the dealer and the chaotic gameplay. Many reviews mention the game's ability to create hilarious moments, especially in multiplayer settings, making it a fun choice for casual play with friends. Overall, the humor is described as a key aspect that enhances the gaming experience, contributing to its replayability and enjoyment.

    • “The dealer is a funny guy.”
    • “This game is equal parts hilarious and terrifying, like a dentist appointment at a haunted house rave.”
    • “You will curse and swear at your rotten luck almost every time you're on the receiving end of a live shell, but seeing the dealer fall victim to the same fate never stops being funny.”
  • grinding36 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being excessively time-consuming and tedious, often requiring players to invest significant hours for achievements that can feel frustrating rather than rewarding. While some players find enjoyment in the strategic elements and the challenge of grinding, many express that the experience can quickly become monotonous and drawn out, leading to a mixed reception overall.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Currently grinding away at endless mode for the last two achievements.”
    • “I enjoyed the 15 hours of grinding for a luck-based achievement afterwards significantly less.”
    • “Furthermore, some of the achievements require the player to perform pointlessly self-destructive actions which is just tedious and unfun to bother with, especially just for the sake of getting achievement unlocks.”
  • stability14 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many users reporting frequent freezes, significant frame drops, and various bugs that hinder gameplay. While it runs well on the Steam Deck and has potential, players have noted that it requires further polishing to address major graphical and audio issues. Overall, the game is considered playable but currently suffers from instability that detracts from the experience.

    • “It's a trip and runs great on anything, including the Steam Deck.”
    • “Also, it runs great out of the box on Steam Deck / Linux.”
    • “Runs great on the deck.”
    • “Now every time I try, it freezes and stops responding in the bathroom opening.”
    • “I'm not on a great (or even good by modern standards) system by any means, and I get pretty significant frame drops and freezes every 40 seconds to a minute.”
    • “At the moment of writing, the game is very buggy and has a lot of major graphical issues.”
  • emotional13 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with players experiencing a range of feelings from wholesome family fun and laughter to intense fear and emotional whiplash. While some moments evoke joy and attachment, others deliver visceral and disturbing experiences, creating a rich tapestry of emotional engagement that keeps players invested. Overall, the game successfully balances lightheartedness with deeper emotional twists, making it a memorable experience.

    • “The story is richly layered, with unexpected twists and emotional moments that keep you invested from start to finish.”
    • “Felt like I needed a cigarette in real life after that emotional whiplash.”
    • “So visceral, emotional and horrifically disgusting at the same time.”
  • optimization10 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while it boasts a strong price-performance ratio and performs well for live-streaming, users have noted that it could benefit from further optimization, particularly on the Steam Deck where GPU load appears unusually high for its simplicity.

    • “Great price-performance ratio.”
    • “With simple and easy-to-grasp rules, fast-paced rounds and gameplay, and also, excellent performance effects for live-streaming, this little indie game has captured many players who come back to play it once again and again.”
    • “Well optimized.”
    • “9/10, could use some optimization.”
    • “Hope this one will be optimized for Steam Deck as well!”
    • “I do have one issue: on the Steam Deck, the performance overlay shows it using 88% or higher GPU load. For a game this simple, that doesn't seem right.”
  • monetization7 mentions

    The monetization model of the game is praised for its lack of intrusive microtransactions, which is a refreshing change in the current gaming landscape. While there are cosmetic items available, players appreciate that there are no pay-to-win mechanics or in-app purchases, allowing for a more strategic and fair gameplay experience. Overall, the game is seen as a positive example of indie development that prioritizes player experience over consumerism.

    • “No in-app purchases, which is rare nowadays.”
    • “✅ No microtransactions.”
    • “One of the few good releases of 2024 - started following this game when it was on itch.io last year. Indie games like this deserve to become popular instead of the consumerist slop that shovels DLCs, battle passes, pre-order bonuses, and in-game microtransactions down your throat.”
    • “Microtransactions to give you an advantage.”
    • “Cosmetic microtransactions (peels).”
  • character development1 mentions

    The character development in the game is highlighted as exceptional, showcasing well-crafted designs that enhance the overall experience.

    • “The character design in this game is exceptional.”
    • “The depth of character development really makes you feel connected to the story.”
    • “Each character evolves in a way that feels natural and engaging throughout the game.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

82% average critic score

Buy Buckshot Roulette

Play time

6hMedian play time
19hAverage play time
0hMain story
1hCompletionist
3-8hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 20 analyzed playthroughs

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