Shotgun King: The Final Checkmate

A Shotgun wedding between Chess and a firing squad.

88%Game Brain Score

gameplay, replayability

grinding, stability

94% User Score Based on 6,140 reviews

Critic Score 79%Based on 6 reviews

Platforms

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About

Shotgun King: The Final Checkmate is a single player tactical shooter game with fantasy and historical themes. It was developed by PUNKCAKE Délicieux and was released on May 12, 2022. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

"Shotgun King: The Final Checkmate" is a turn-based strategy roguelite game where you play as the Black King, wielding a royal shotgun, on a quest for revenge against the White pieces. The game is a unique take on chess, with each piece having different abilities and movements. Originally created for Ludum Dare #50, the game offers various language options, and supports custom translations.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Shotgun King: The Final Checkmate screenshot

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94%

Audience ScoreBased on 6,140 reviews

gameplay183 positive mentions

grinding20 negative mentions

Very fun and addictive gameplay that combines chess mechanics with roguelike elements.
Unique concept of playing as a king with a shotgun adds a fresh twist to traditional chess.
The card system introduces interesting strategic choices, making each run feel different.

Heavy reliance on RNG can lead to frustrating moments where runs are lost due to bad luck.
Some mechanics, like the shield system, can be inconsistent and may not always function as intended.
Lack of a tutorial or clear explanations for certain mechanics can make the learning curve steep for new players.

gameplay
495 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
59%
4%
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 experimentation with various builds and tactics. While many players appreciate the depth and creativity of the mechanics, some express frustration with inconsistencies and RNG elements that can lead to unexpected outcomes. Overall, the game is praised for its engaging core loop and replayability, though some players desire more variety and clarity in its 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.”
- “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. There's also a decent amount of content to be unlocked like new shotguns and different modes.”
- “The gameplay is expertly crafted to build an incredibly complex and unique set of systems all tailor-made to create a diverting masterpiece overflowing with love and care put into every seam of this incredible groundbreaking achievement in gaming history.”
- “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.”
- “This game takes a game reliant on strategy and throws in some blatantly terrible RNG and rough mechanics that hardly work.”
replayability
162 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
44%
4%
Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, with many players enjoying the blend of roguelike elements, varied gameplay mechanics, and strategic depth. While some reviews mention limitations in modes or difficulty scaling, the majority highlight the fun and engaging nature of the game, making it easy to pick up for quick sessions or longer playthroughs. The inclusion of unlockable content and randomization adds to the replay value, ensuring players have a fresh experience with each run.
- “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' comes to life with roguelike elements and infinite replayability.”
- “Its blending of classic chess principles with shooting elements and randomized gameplay makes for a fun and highly replayable experience that we’d suggest you give a shot.”
- “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.”
humor
118 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
2%
The humor in this game is widely praised for its clever and absurd premise, combining chess with outrageous elements like shotguns and quirky abilities, resulting in a charming and entertaining experience. Players appreciate the witty card mechanics, easter eggs, and the overall comedic execution that adds depth to the gameplay, making it both funny and strategically engaging. While the humor initially captivates, some players note that the unpredictability of mechanics can lead to frustration, yet the overall consensus is that the game delivers a uniquely hilarious twist on a classic.
- “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 to 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”
story
100 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
63%
3%
The story is a humorous and simplistic take on the chess narrative, revolving around an exiled king who uses a shotgun to regain power, which some players find entertaining despite its lack of depth. While the premise is engaging and fits the game's tone, many reviews note that the story is minimal and often feels tacked on, serving primarily as a backdrop to the gameplay rather than a central focus. Overall, it provides a light-hearted context that complements the game's mechanics, but players seeking a rich narrative may be disappointed.
- “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).”
- “Story is not really there, you’ve been exiled for being a bad king, so you pick up a shotgun and start killing until everyone 'loves' you again, that’s politics.”
- “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.”
graphics
91 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
55%
3%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the retro aesthetic and pixel art style, which effectively complements the gameplay and theme. While some players find the visuals charming and well-executed, others describe them as simple or coarse, suggesting a minimalistic approach that may not appeal to everyone. Overall, the graphics are generally considered fitting for the game's concept, with a nostalgic feel that enhances 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.”
music
61 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
62%
5%
The music in the game has received a mixed but generally positive reception, with many praising its originality and fitting ambiance that enhances the gameplay experience. While some found the soundtrack to be simple or generic, others described it as excellent and catchy, with standout moments like the incorporation of synthesizers and electric guitar. Overall, the music is seen as a strong aspect of the game, contributing significantly to its aesthetic and emotional impact.
- “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.”
grinding
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
15%
77%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious and heavily reliant on RNG, with many achievements requiring significant time investment (often 25-30 hours) to complete. The lack of tools to assist in tracking achievement synergies adds to the frustration, making the experience feel more like a chore than enjoyable gameplay. While some players appreciate the game's core mechanics, the grind for 100% completion is seen as a major drawback.
- “Great game, who would've thought that you can actually improve chess :) It took me ~3 hours to beat the game, which is nice; this thing is not grindy like, e.g., 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.”
emotional
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
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 genuine emotional responses, including tears, underscoring the game's ability to resonate deeply with its audience.
- “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.”
- “I cried when the king said, 'It's shotgunning time,' and shotgunned all over the place. Such an inspiring game.”
- “This has made me feel so seen, and this game is right up my street.”
stability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while it runs well on the Steam Deck with some control adjustments, players report significant issues with balance, including erratic bullet spread, unreliable shields, and inconsistent damage, leading to considerable frustration.
- “Runs great on the deck with some control tweaks”
- “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.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by a distinct sense of absurdity and silliness, creating a whimsical and unconventional environment that enhances the overall experience.
- “Overall, the atmosphere is an absurd and silly one.”
- “Overall, the atmosphere is an absurd and silly one.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some users praising its quality and performance, while others have noted issues that affect gameplay. Overall, the game's optimization appears to be a work in progress, with room for improvement to enhance user experience.
- “The optimization in this game is top-notch, ensuring smooth gameplay even on lower-end systems.”
- “I was impressed by how well the game runs; the developers clearly focused on quality and performance.”
- “The attention to optimization really enhances the overall experience, making it accessible for a wider range of players.”
- “The game suffers from severe optimization issues, leading to frequent frame drops and stuttering during gameplay.”
- “Despite its potential, the lack of proper optimization makes it nearly unplayable on lower-end systems.”
- “I was disappointed to find that even on high-end hardware, the game struggles to maintain a stable frame rate.”

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79%Critics’ scoreBased on 6 critic reviews

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13h Median play time

16h Average play time

1h Main story

39h Completionist

6-28h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 30 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Shotgun King: The Final Checkmate is a tactical shooter game with fantasy and historical themes.

Shotgun King: The Final Checkmate is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Steam Deck and others.

The main story can be completed in around 1 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 39 hours to finish. On average players spend around 16 hours playing Shotgun King: The Final Checkmate.

Shotgun King: The Final Checkmate was released on May 12, 2022.

Shotgun King: The Final Checkmate was developed by PUNKCAKE Délicieux.

Shotgun King: The Final Checkmate has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its grinding.

Shotgun King: The Final Checkmate is a single player game.

Similar games include Dicey Dungeons, Tower Dominion, Deadzone: Rogue, The Ouroboros King, Peglin and others.

Shotgun King: The Final Checkmate

Platforms

Shotgun King (Switch) Review