Welcome back to The Backlog, where we review video games based on a certain genre or word each month. We closed out January and ended our time with the word “fight,” now we look into games based around the word “strategy.” For the first edition of February, we are diving into the internet’s newest sensation, “Buckshot Roulette.”
Warning! This game contains dark imagery and themes related to death and suicide.
Developed by Mike Klubnika and published on itch.io in 2023, “Buckshot Roulette” is a tabletop horror game based around the dangerous game of Russian roulette. The twist is that you are using a 12-gauge shotgun against a dealer who never loses his smile. The game is a simple point-and-click style, not requiring good motor skills but instead good strategy and sheer luck for the player. “Buckshot Roulette” can also be played online without having to purchase and download it, but it only costs $1.20 and it would allow Klubnika to produce more indie games.
The game’s introduction is quite memorable, the player wakes up in the dirtiest bathroom on Earth and leaves to find that they are in some sort of nightclub with an addictive beat. It captures the feeling of overlooking a raging club whilst heading towards your potential demise. The soundtrack was released on Spotify, Bandcamp and Soundcloud by the developer and is available for everyone to enjoy.
As you kick your way into the door down the hall, you come across the Dealer, your opponent in this dangerous game. First, you must sign your name on a general release of liability form, ensuring that you are partaking in the game of your own free will and understand the risks. The general rule is that for each round, a certain number of shotgun shells — either live or blank — are loaded into the gun in a random order. You can decide to shoot the Dealer and reduce his number of defibrillator charges, or choose to shoot yourself on the chance that it is a blank and you gain an extra turn. While dark and unnerving, “Buckshot Roulette” has gained popularity due to its retro aesthetics and difficulty.
As you progress to the second and third stages, you gain items between rounds that can help you. The magnifying glass lets you see the current round in the chamber, the hand saw doubles the damage of your next shot, the cigarette pack gains you an extra charge, the handcuffs skip the opponent’s turn and the beer racks the shotgun to get rid of the current round in the chamber. While these all sound useful, be mindful that the Dealer also gains these items and has no qualms about using them on you.
The Dealer is an interesting antagonist. He doesn’t necessarily have a vendetta against the player but he does his best to defeat the player. One interesting thing about his character is how honorable and nice he is, despite the fact that he’s pointing a shotgun at your face. When you use the handcuffs on him he takes them and shackles himself, thus showcasing how principled he is. Even though he has a creepy smile, there is nothing to indicate that he hates the player, he is only doing his job as the Dealer.
There isn’t a strong storyline behind “Buckshot Roulette,” but there is a bit of an implication for the world that it exists in. As you gain items, you come across a general release of liability form covered in blood, signed by God. While not overtly stated in exposition or clearly, the player can assume that God played the game and lost to the Dealer. This seems to be proven correct if you lose the game, and you are sent to heaven. When you arrive it appears empty with spikes everywhere, insinuating that God is no longer there.
Understandably for an indie title, “Buckshot Roulette” is a short experience. Getting through the game could take around 20 to 30 minutes, depending on how lucky and skillful you are. However, for the price, I would say that it was a well-spent $1.20. There has also been a recent update to the game to make it more difficult if you choose to swallow the pills in the restroom when you awaken. This activates the “Double or Nothing” mode. Everything becomes more difficult with randomized shells, items and health counts. Not to mention the fact that dying completely once will reset your progress. But what makes this mode worth the danger is the fact that you are given the option to receive your winnings after the original three rounds, but you can engage in a fourth to double your winnings instead. This mode is for those who feel they are on a hot streak and like to cheat death.
Rating: 4.5/5