Son of a Gun

About

Son of a Gun is a single player action game. It was developed by Crank Goblin and was released on October 22, 2024. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

Son of a Gun is a retro-inspired top-down twin-stick shooter packed with guns, blood, and explosions. Players choose from six characters, battling swarms of bugs, robots, and monsters using a variety of weapons and grenades. Utilize upgrades and a prototype time-bending device to survive intense, action-packed encounters.

Genres & Tags

Action

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

66%

Audience ScoreBased on 41 reviews

monetization3 positive mentions

graphics2 negative mentions

The game offers a nostalgic experience reminiscent of classic twin-stick shooters, providing chaotic and entertaining gameplay.
There is a solid variety of weapons and enemies, allowing for creative combat strategies and engaging boss fights.
The game is easy to pick up and play, making it suitable for casual sessions and fans of retro-style games.

The game suffers from poor mechanics, including erratic pacing, glitchy AI, and unbalanced difficulty spikes that can frustrate players.
There are significant limitations in the options menu, such as the inability to change resolution or rebind keys, which can hinder accessibility.
The overall presentation feels generic and unpolished, with issues like collision problems and a lack of engaging gameplay depth.

gameplay
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
68%
16%
The gameplay is characterized by classic twin-stick mechanics enhanced by a diverse toolkit that promotes creativity in combat, alongside a time-bending feature that allows for strategic pauses. However, players have noted issues with erratic pacing, glitchy AI, and a lack of engaging gameplay loops, leading to mixed feelings about its overall execution. While some appreciate its throwback style and entertaining elements, others find it underwhelming and simplistic, with room for improvement in future updates.
- “The gameplay centers around classic twin-stick mechanics but adds a surprisingly diverse toolkit that encourages creativity in combat.”
- “On top of that, the inclusion of a time-bending mechanic adds a strategic pause when things get overwhelming, letting players reposition, regroup, or finish off enemies in stylish slow motion.”
- “Quite entertaining gameplay, many various weapons and planets.”
- “It's too bad as I like janky old games, but this has some very ugly mechanics (the variety is okay after a while) and erratic pacing with a good dose of failed pathing and glitchy AI.”
- “It's a throwback and might be fun for some people, but considering the name of the game, I was underwhelmed by the gameplay.”
- “And, it's not really that difficult but rather the dev resorts to throwing out 'cheap' mechanics to create sudden and unexpected death, e.g., enemies spawning into thin air behind the player.”
music
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The music in the game is highly praised for its synth-heavy soundtrack that enhances the action, complemented by impactful audio design that features punchy gun sounds and unsettling monster screams. Players appreciate the option to adjust music and sound levels, with many highlighting the overall quality and energy of the music as a standout feature.
- “Oh, and the music is really awesome!”
- “You can turn shadows on or off, turn the music or sound up or down and select your language.”
- “The audio design supports this well—guns sound appropriately punchy, monsters scream in unsettling pitches, and the synth-heavy soundtrack drives the action with pulpy energy.”
- “Lots of blood and metal music.”
graphics
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
25%
50%
The graphics feature a unique blend of cartoony and gritty aesthetics that align well with the game's exaggerated tone. Some players have noted a nostalgic resemblance to older flash games, particularly in terms of weapon upgrades and visual style, despite the game being distinct from titles like F22 Raptor.
- “The visuals themselves lean into a cartoony yet gritty aesthetic, which suits the game’s over-the-top tone perfectly.”
- “Somehow, its graphics and even gameplay remind me of an old flash game.”
- “Although it's completely different from the old F22 Raptor, it reminds me of that game with its weapon upgrades, graphical style, and the possibility of selling weapons.”
story
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
100%
The game's story is minimalistic and straightforward, serving primarily as a backdrop for its gameplay rather than a focal point. Players navigate through flat levels with basic missions, while the AI struggles with the environment. Overall, the simplicity of the narrative aligns well with the game's design, appealing to those who prioritize action over storytelling.
- “I love especially rocket launchers (high risk - high reward) and shotguns (which pack a punch). The story is simple and enough for me in such games.”
- “Weightless missions wandering through flat levels to the exit point while AI get stuck on any and all geometry.”
- “A fairly short and simple top-down shooter with a very minimalist story and decent control.”
- “The story is simple and enough for me in such games.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews indicate that the optimization in the game is questionable, highlighted by the odd inclusion of a shadow toggle as a performance option, which may relate to the game's fog of war mechanics. Overall, players express confusion about the effectiveness of these optimization features.
- “The inclusion of a toggle for shadows feels bizarre as a performance option; it might be referring to the heavy fog of war featured in their other game, but I never disabled it, so who knows.”
- “The game struggles to maintain a stable frame rate, even on high-end hardware, which is frustrating for players looking for a smooth experience.”
- “Optimization seems to have taken a backseat, as loading times are excessively long and the game frequently stutters during gameplay.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers note that the monetization strategy resembles previous SAS games but is criticized for excessive microtransactions, which detracts from the overall experience.
- “The monetization model is fair and doesn't feel exploitative.”
- “I appreciate that the game offers plenty of free content without pushing for purchases.”
- “The in-game purchases are optional and don't hinder the overall experience.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game's replayability is enhanced by its variety of weapon choices, unpredictable enemy encounters, and rewarding combat mechanics. However, some players feel it lacks essential features that could further elevate the fun and replay value typical of the twin-stick genre.
- “Its replayability is fueled by its diverse weapon options, unpredictable enemy waves, and satisfying combat feedback.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find grinding to be a mixed experience; while some enjoy the chaotic fun and the challenge of building the perfect character, others feel that the early game lacks excitement and the latter stages become tedious.
- “The first half of the game was easy and boring; the second half was tedious.”
- “Grinding through bosses for the perfect build can feel like a chore rather than an enjoyable challenge.”