Buckshot Roulette

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.

97%Game Brain Score

gameplay, music

grinding, stability

98% User Score Based on 24,452 reviews

Critic Score 82%Based on 5 reviews

Platforms

Buy Nowfrom $1.20

Buy NowGet on Steam$2.99

Buy NowGet on itch.io Store$1.20

About

"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?

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

98%

Audience ScoreBased on 24,452 reviews

gameplay367 positive mentions

grinding25 negative mentions

gameplay
913 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
58%
2%
The gameplay of "Buckshot Roulette" is characterized by its simple yet engaging mechanics, blending elements of chance and strategy in a high-stakes environment reminiscent of Russian roulette. Players appreciate the addictive gameplay loop, enhanced by unique items that add depth and variability, although some find the experience can become repetitive over time. The game's atmosphere, sound design, and multiplayer features further enhance its appeal, making it a fun choice for both solo and group play.
- “The gameplay is tense, brutal, and incredibly addicting — every round feels like a high-stakes gamble, and I can't get enough.”
- “With its simple yet addictive gameplay, Buckshot Roulette is perfect for players looking for a quick adrenaline fix.”
- “The core gameplay is a perfect mix of chaotic fun and skill-based action, and every round feels unique and exciting.”
- “Most of your time is spent watching the unskippable animations play out, the gameplay never varies, and I won 12/12 rounds that I played quite easily because of the weak AI.”
- “Even with the addition of extra items in double or nothing mode, the core gameplay loop remains the same and isn't particularly enticing for repetition.”
- “After a couple of hours its mechanics get repetitive and there's no point of playing more.”
music
678 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
54%
1%
The music in the game is widely praised for its energetic and immersive quality, effectively enhancing the gritty atmosphere and gameplay experience. Reviewers highlight the catchy techno and industrial tracks, which not only fit the game's theme but also adapt dynamically to the action, creating a sense of tension and excitement. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, with many players expressing a desire for it to be available on streaming platforms.
- “The music in Buckshot Roulette is a dynamic and immersive element that adds a unique layer of intensity to the game.”
- “The soundtrack in Buckshot Roulette can be described as a blend of electronic beats, rock-infused rhythms, and atmospheric sound design.”
- “The atmosphere created with the visuals and music creates the perfect setting for the game.”
- “The only criticism I have of it is that the balance of audio could be done better in a few places... some things would benefit from being significantly louder, such as the shotgun blast, while others would benefit from being quieter, such as the adrenaline shot, or the club music while on the catwalk.”
- “I get it's supposed to be spoopy music, but that sound is just really annoying, not spoopy.”
- “More a nitpick than anything, the music is repetitive and just a few notes.”
graphics
555 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
57%
2%
The graphics of the game have received mixed feedback, with many praising its unique, gritty art style that effectively complements the game's dark themes and atmosphere. While some players appreciate the retro, low-poly aesthetic and its nostalgic appeal, others feel that the graphics could benefit from upgrades and more customization options. Overall, the visuals are described as atmospheric and engaging, enhancing the gameplay experience despite some technical limitations.
- “The visuals are gritty, sharp, and full of tension, pulling you into a world where the only certainty is that nothing is certain.”
- “The graphics are awesome while not being the most realistic; they're still really stylistic.”
- “The art style is amazing, the gameplay is fun, and it has a lot more tactics to it than expected.”
- “It's a very good game, but I think they need to upgrade the graphics because they're terrible.”
- “The graphics are rough.”
- “It's a fun little game, although I noticed that, given the visual style and graphical fidelity, maybe the system requirements are above what it should ask for, especially given the lack of graphical options.”
atmosphere
365 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
41%
1%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its chilling, gritty, and immersive qualities, effectively creating a sense of tension and suspense that enhances the gameplay experience. Reviewers highlight the combination of striking visuals, a haunting soundtrack, and a unique setting reminiscent of underground clubs, all contributing to a captivating and engaging environment. Despite its simplicity, the game's atmosphere is considered one of its strongest features, making it a standout title for fans of atmospheric gaming.
- “The atmosphere created with the visuals and music creates the perfect setting for the game.”
- “The gloomy, oppressive atmosphere is palpable; every detail in the art style reinforces that eerie sense of dread.”
- “The atmosphere is both oppressive and exhilarating.”
- “While the atmosphere is kinda neat, it doesn't come close to Inscryption's mood and narrative.”
- “While this suits the game’s atmosphere, it might not appeal to players looking for more detailed and immersive audio-visual experiences.”
- “The single player game is okay, with decent atmosphere, but the multiplayer portion is a waste of time.”
humor
343 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
The humor in this game is a standout feature, with players consistently highlighting its ability to generate laughter through chaotic multiplayer interactions and darkly comedic scenarios, such as shooting oneself or friends in a lighthearted context. Many reviews emphasize that the game's absurdity and unpredictability lead to hilarious moments, especially when played with friends, making it a perfect choice for those seeking a fun and entertaining experience. Overall, the combination of dark humor and slapstick moments creates a uniquely enjoyable atmosphere that keeps players engaged and laughing.
- “The multiplayer is hilarious, and I couldn't stop laughing as we begged each other not to pull the trigger.”
- “It's like gambling but funny, and the tension, the laughs, and the thrill of outlasting your friends made for an unforgettable and hilariously chaotic time.”
- “This game is equal parts hilarious and terrifying, like a dentist appointment at a haunted house rave.”
- “It will never be not funny watching an opponent pull the trigger on themselves.”
replayability
311 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
49%
2%
The game is widely praised for its high replayability, attributed to its simple mechanics, strategic elements, and the recently added "double or nothing" mode, which enhances the gameplay experience. While some players note that the game can become repetitive after several playthroughs, the multiplayer updates and competitive aspects keep it engaging, making it a great value for its low price. Overall, it offers a fun and addictive experience that encourages repeated play, especially with friends.
- “There's a lot of replay value here, especially if you have buddies.”
- “The game is highly replayable with its double or nothing mode and while being centered around the idea of gambling and taking chances has a lot to offer for players who wish to challenge themselves.”
- “This game is fun, has amazing replayability, and will only get more enjoyable with the multiplayer update.”
- “However, in terms of actual replay value and any bonus modes that would retain players... it falls short.”
- “Story is short, replayability is pretty lackluster though, you'd get bored pretty quickly after the first 3 or 4 playthroughs.”
- “The game can get a bit repetitive and lacks replayability, but maybe give it a try because the night is still young.”
story
271 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
76%
11%
The game's story is generally considered minimal and straightforward, often described as short and lacking depth, with many players expressing a desire for more narrative content. While some appreciate the charm and atmosphere, others feel that the gameplay overshadows the story, making it more of a fun experience rather than a deeply engaging one. Overall, the story serves as a brief introduction to the gameplay, with many players finding it enjoyable but wishing for additional lore and complexity.
- “Completing the story mode and then never playing the game again means you are severely missing out on the game.”
- “With all of their awesome storyline and attention to detail, this game is my favorite.”
- “The story is richly layered, with unexpected twists and emotional moments that keep you invested from start to finish.”
- “The story is minimal, but there's a lot of small details that paint a bigger picture.”
- “There's really not much story in Buckshot Roulette; there's some minimal storytelling, but most of everything is hidden outside of the game with ARGs and whatnots.”
- “The story mode is pretty short, and while it serves as an introduction to the gameplay, it lacks depth and leaves players wanting more.”
grinding
78 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
64%
32%
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being excessively tedious and time-consuming, with many players feeling that it requires an unrealistic amount of effort, often humorously suggesting that one would need "a second life" to complete it. While some players find enjoyment in the game, the repetitive nature of grinding for achievements, particularly in modes like "double or nothing," detracts from the overall experience, making it feel more like a chore than fun.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “A bit grindy sometimes.”
- “Would love rank progress, icons for grinding and bragging a bit.”
- “Also, I noticed for two of the achievements you have to beat double or nothing around five times. I know the achievements are supposed to be hard, but it's not even hard; it's just tedious.”
- “The game is quite enjoyable, though grinding for the achievements is a pain.”
- “Good short game for its price, but getting the 1,000,000 cash achievements is very tedious. You need to win 18 times in a row, and if you get a bad item start, it's a very easy game over.”
stability
35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
3%
80%
The game's stability is a mixed bag, with numerous users reporting significant bugs and glitches, particularly in the multiplayer mode, which can lead to game-ending issues and frequent freezes. While some players enjoy the game despite these problems, others find it nearly unplayable, especially on certain systems. Overall, while the game shows potential and runs well on platforms like the Steam Deck, it requires further polishing to enhance stability.
- “It runs great out of the box on Steam Deck/Linux.”
- “It's a trip and runs great on anything, including the Steam Deck.”
- “Runs great on Steam Deck.”
- “Every time in multiplayer we try to skip another player's turn, it freezes and we can't do anything but quit out.”
- “Finally tried it today to find it an awful buggy mess, pretty much unplayable on Steam Deck.”
- “At the moment of writing, the game is very buggy and has a lot of major graphical issues.”
emotional
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a blend of wholesome fun and deep storytelling, evoking feelings of nostalgia, joy, and even tears among players. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to create strong emotional connections, whether through its engaging narrative or the camaraderie experienced in multiplayer settings. Overall, it successfully balances lighthearted moments with impactful emotional experiences, making it a memorable journey for players.
- “Story was so good I cried when I finished the 50-hour long story campaign, absolute cinema.”
- “The story is richly layered, with unexpected twists and emotional moments that keep you invested from start to finish.”
- “I felt like I needed a cigarette in real life after that emotional whiplash.”
optimization
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
50%
28%
Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players noting a need for improvements, particularly for low-end PCs and certain devices. While some users report good performance, others experience issues like stuttering, crashes, and poor compatibility, indicating that optimization remains a significant concern. There is hope for future updates to enhance performance, especially for platforms like the Steam Deck.
- “9/10, could use some optimization.”
- “Hope this one will be optimized for Steam Deck as well!”
- “Well optimized.”
- “Good game, but needs Vulkan support and lacks optimization for low-end PCs.”
- “My only complaint is that the game is not always compatible with certain devices and can be unoptimized at times.”
- “I think the biggest complaint that I can levy at Buckshot regards the poor optimization, but I found that it was fortunately still playable.”
monetization
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
14%
43%
The monetization model of the game is praised for its lack of intrusive in-app purchases, a rarity in today's market, and focuses on strategic item use without offering pay-to-win advantages. While there are cosmetic microtransactions available, the absence of aggressive monetization tactics like DLCs and battle passes is seen as a positive aspect, contributing to the game's appeal.
- “No in-app purchases, which is rare nowadays.”
- “One of the few good releases of 2024 - I 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.”
- “No microtransactions.”
- “The items are a nice touch as it adds to the strategizing but also gives you an advantage.”
- “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.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
While the character design is praised for its exceptional quality, the game is noted for its casual nature, which may lead to a sense of repetitiveness and a lack of deep character development for players seeking more complexity.
- “I love the music, character design, and the grittiness of it all.”
- “The character design in this game is exceptional.”
- “It’s more of a casual game and may feel repetitive for players looking for deep gameplay or extensive character development.”