Shotgun King: The Final Checkmate

94%
Game Brain Score Based on 3,070 reviews
  • gameplay
  • replayability
  • humor
Shotgun King: The Final Checkmate Game Cover
A Shotgun wedding between Chess and a firing squad.
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"Shotgun King: The Final Checkmate" is a turn-based strategy roguelite game that puts a twist on classic chess. Play as the Black King, armed with a shotgun, as you try to take down your opponents in a battle for survival. The game features unique mechanics, customizable translations, and supports multiple languages. It was originally developed for the Ludum Dare #50 game jam.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

94%
Audience ScoreBased on 3,070 reviews
gameplay91 positive mentions
grinding10 negative mentions
  • Unique and creative twist on chess with engaging roguelike mechanics.
  • Addictive gameplay with a variety of cards and strategies that keep each run fresh.
  • Satisfying sound design and visuals that enhance the overall experience.
  • Heavy reliance on RNG can lead to frustrating and unfair situations.
  • Lack of clear tutorials or explanations for mechanics can make it difficult for new players.
  • Some mechanics, like the shield system, can be inconsistent and lead to unexpected deaths.
  • gameplay247 mentions

    The gameplay of "Shotgun King: The Final Checkmate" is characterized by its unique blend of chess mechanics and roguelike elements, offering a satisfying and strategic experience that encourages players to adapt their tactics with each run. While the game features a variety of interesting mechanics and upgrades, some players have noted inconsistencies and frustrations with certain mechanics, such as the shield system and RNG elements, which can lead to unexpected outcomes. Overall, the gameplay is engaging and addictive, appealing to both chess enthusiasts and fans of turn-based strategy games, though some players desire more depth and variety in mechanics.

    • “There is a very considerable amount of depth to the mechanics, and the minimal amount of manipulation you can do after making a choice makes each post-battle choice actually really meaningful.”
    • “The gameplay loop is addictive and smart while the writing deserves an Oscar.”
    • “Shotgun King is a strategic roguelike game based on chess; however, it adds several different twists to the premise that creates an extremely addictive gameplay.”
    • “The enjoyment faded away as I grew frustrated with mechanics that felt like they scammed me instead of pushing me to learn from my mistakes.”
    • “Some of the core mechanics of the game, like the shield, are almost completely useless.”
    • “It's hard to play strategically when you can't really build around a chosen mechanic in a run.”
  • replayability80 mentions

    Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, with many players enjoying the variety of modes, challenges, and unlockable content that enhance the experience. While some reviews mention issues with randomness and limited differences between runs, the majority highlight the engaging mechanics and roguelike elements that contribute to its replay value. Despite a few criticisms regarding depth and content, the consensus is that the game offers a fun and satisfying experience that encourages repeated play.

    • “Great bitesized chess themed puzzle game with a good amount of replayability to boot.”
    • “Took me around 2 hours to beat the whole game, but has infinite replayability - definitely recommended!”
    • “The fantasy of 'chess but my king has a shotgun' come to life with roguelike elements and infinite replayability.”
    • “There's incredibly little replayability here, as harder modes aren't fun and there's incredibly limited differences between runs.”
    • “The replayability is pretty lacking with only two modes, and the difficulty in this game can be pretty unfair.”
    • “A cool concept and good execution but lacks replay value since there are very few buffs and debuffs in the game to choose from after levels.”
  • humor59 mentions

    The humor in this game is widely praised for its clever and absurd take on chess, incorporating elements like shotguns and quirky abilities that create a charming and entertaining experience. Players find the combination of strategic gameplay and comedic scenarios, such as blasting pieces off the board, to be both hilarious and rewarding. Overall, the game's unique premise and witty execution contribute to its appeal, making it a fun and memorable twist on a classic strategy game.

    • “The humor is also great, being limited to cards and easter eggs, (like if you try to get rid of the homecoming card), is really charming.”
    • “The premise is hilarious and really fun, that being of playing chess where one side has only a shotgun.”
    • “It's hilarious how you can spend several turns blasting bishops, knights and pawns only to find yourself trapped by the rook you ignored in favor of focusing the king covering an entire file, a queen that was previously that one pawn you didn't pay attention and managed to reach the last rank and that one bishop you never managed to kill.”
    • “Chess, but someone called me unfunny on the internet.”
    • “The jokes fell flat, making the game feel more awkward than amusing.”
    • “I expected humor, but it was more cringeworthy than funny.”
  • story50 mentions

    The story is a lighthearted and humorous take on the chess narrative, centering around a black king wielding a shotgun in a quest for redemption after being exiled. While the plot is simple and lacks depth, it effectively complements the gameplay, providing a fun backdrop without complicating the mechanics. Overall, players appreciate the comedic elements and the anti-hero storyline, though many wish for a more substantial narrative experience.

    • “The story elements are delightful; I love that the protagonist is an irredeemable despot.”
    • “The story/setting fits the game perfectly, as well.”
    • “This is a very good game with good art, interesting gameplay, and a great story.”
    • “There is not a lot of depth to the story, just a repeat of the same story as regular chess: murder the king (with a shotgun).”
    • “There is technically a story, but it’s like a few sentences long and really just seems tacked on to add a silliness to the game.”
    • “Only 2 game modes, barely any story (though what's there is cute), and the music is generic and bland.”
  • graphics45 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the retro aesthetic and pixel art as charming and fitting for the game's theme. While some players find the visuals simple or coarse, others appreciate the clean design and CRT effects that evoke nostalgia for old-school games. Overall, the graphics are described as fun, engaging, and well-integrated with the gameplay, contributing positively to the overall experience.

    • “The graphics are simple and so is the music - but it works very well for the game.”
    • “Incredible game, had a few major technical issues when it first came out however these have mostly been fixed, aside from that the graphics are incredible and the gameplay is unreasonably fun for what it is.”
    • “I really like the art style on this one, and while it might seem minimalistic, there's actually a lot of effort and detail put into the designs and animations.”
    • “The graphics always hurt my eyes.”
    • “The art style fits the theme, but is overall far too coarse to please.”
    • “Sound and graphics are very indie, along with the overall presentation.”
  • music30 mentions

    The music in the game receives a mixed but generally positive reception, with many praising its originality and fittingness to the game's aesthetic. While some describe it as simple or generic, others highlight its effectiveness and emotional impact, with standout tracks prompting purchases of the soundtrack separately. Overall, the music enhances the gameplay experience, contributing to the game's atmosphere and enjoyment.

    • “Its soundtrack is so good I bought it separately on Bandcamp.”
    • “The general aesthetic, especially the music, has this feel of a lone hero against an unrelenting force; the last hope of justice.”
    • “Great ambient soundtrack.”
    • “Only 2 game modes, barely any story (though what's there is cute), and the music is generic and bland.”
    • “I was listening to my own music after a few hours in this one.”
    • “My only complaint is how much better the game could have been with a heavier soundtrack.”
  • grinding13 mentions

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious and heavily reliant on RNG, leading to long hours spent on achievement hunting. Many reviewers express a desire for better tools to track achievement synergies and suggest that the grinding detracts from the overall enjoyment and strategic elements of the game. While some appreciate the challenge, the consensus is that the grind can feel overwhelming and frustrating.

    • “Great game, who would've thought that you can actually improve chess :) It took me about 3 hours to beat the game, which is nice. This game is not grindy like, for example, Enter the Gungeon (which I can't beat no matter how hard I try and how long I play it...), but it still depends too much on RNG though.”
    • “The achievements get *very* grindy and RNG dependent.”
    • “You have virtually no ways to influence your luck, which makes the game less about fun, on-the-fly strategizing (like all good rogue-lites have) and more about painful RNG grinding (which poorly balanced rogue-lites force you through).”
    • “Getting 100% completionist can be quite tedious, since most of them depend on RNG and carry it to the boss; it took me 25 hours to get them all and beat all the difficulty levels.”
  • emotional4 mentions

    Players report a strong emotional connection to the game, feeling personal responsibility for their in-game failures, which heightens the tension and engagement. Moments of inspiration and relatability, such as impactful dialogue, evoke deep feelings, with some players expressing intense emotional reactions, including tears. Overall, the game resonates deeply, making players feel understood and connected to its themes.

    • “Decently hard, but it really made me feel like every death was my own fault.”
    • “I personally loved this; it made me feel on edge with every blast because I wasn't confident I would get the outcome I wanted.”
    • “This has made me feel so seen, and this game is right up my street.”
  • stability3 mentions

    Overall, while the game runs well on certain platforms with minor control adjustments, players report significant stability issues, including inconsistent damage, buggy shields, and erratic bullet spread, leading to a frustrating experience.

    • “Runs great on the deck with some control tweaks.”
    • “The game maintains a steady frame rate, providing a smooth experience.”
    • “I haven't encountered any crashes or major bugs, which is impressive.”
    • “The balance in this game is an absolute disaster; random bullet spread is really weird, and the shields are buggy and do not work half the time. The frustrations go on and on.”
    • “Damage is buggy and inconsistent.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is characterized by its absurdity and silliness, creating a unique and whimsical experience for players.

    • “The atmosphere is an absurd and silly one.”
    • “This is where the absurdity comes in.”
    • “Overall, the atmosphere is an absurd and silly one.”
    • “The atmosphere feels disjointed and lacks coherence.”
    • “The game fails to create an immersive atmosphere, leaving players feeling detached.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some users praising its quality and performance, while others report issues such as frame rate drops and long loading times. Overall, the game's optimization appears to vary significantly across different hardware configurations, leading to an inconsistent experience for players.

    • “The optimization in this game is top-notch, ensuring smooth performance even on lower-end hardware.”
    • “I was impressed by how well the game runs; the developers clearly put a lot of effort into optimizing the experience for all players.”
    • “The balance between quality and performance is exceptional, allowing for stunning visuals without sacrificing frame rates.”
    • “The game suffers from severe performance issues, making it nearly unplayable on lower-end systems.”
    • “I constantly experience frame drops and stuttering, which completely ruins the immersion.”
    • “The optimization is so poor that even high-end hardware struggles to maintain a stable frame rate.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

79% average critic score

Buy Shotgun King: The Final Checkmate

Play time

13hMedian play time
16hAverage play time
1hMain story
39hCompletionist
6-28hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 15 analyzed playthroughs

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