https://youtu.be/WdfTz5VHgPI?si=HcVPMekoe5h9qhUd
There is something very interesting about Buckshot Roulette.
Let me first introduce you to the game: It’s a short horror game, which is actually not scary at all, sorta “Russian Roulette-like” exercise in probability.
Helpful, aren’t I?
Let’s have a look at our typical game loop:
Player sits in front of the dealer with a shotgun on the table. Dealer will show you sets of shells. Some full and some blanks. Let’s say we have two full and two blanks.
Dealer loads the shells in a random order and gives you the shotgun. Now it’s your choice; Will you shot yourself or the Dealer? It’s 50-50.
You shoot yourself.
blank
Well good job, now you go again, but with a lot worse odds. 2 - 1 or 66% likelihood it will be a real gunshot. Alright, you know your math and decide to shoot the dealer.
blank again
Well that happens, there was a 33% chance of it happening, so here we are. Now, there are 2 shells loaded in the shotgun and you - knowing that, handle the shotgun to the Dealer.
He will shoot you (obviously) and then hand the shotgun back to you so you can shoot him one last time.
You both lost one life and onto a new round.
That would be actually decent outcome, your odds weren’t great. It could have gone better, but you ended up on an equal footing after the shoot-out.
So now explain to me, why is this so fun?
I am honestly not sure. There is certainly some terror in giving a loaded shotgun to someone who will shoot you, but it’s not quite enough to make Buckshot a horror game. The setting is nice and doesn’t disturb you, but neither does it really scare you.
I think one of the reasons why this doesn’t end up terrifying me as a player, is simply because of the mind space I am in.
I don’t have time to be terrified, if I am calculating odds and keeping in mind how many empty and full shells are left. It’s kind of difficult to be scared when you are doing a math homework, you know?
I think, one of the aspects that makes the game so appealing is the promise it makes to you.
It costs just few bucks and you know, from looking at the promo art and trailer, that it’s just a small indie game. The game time is usually less than few minutes, maybe 20 if you manage to clear the whole game.
And that’s fun.
It makes a small promise and delivers on it, even exceeds it I would say.
In the end it’s an fun exercise in calculating your odds. The game actually gets a bit more complicated in later rounds but I will let you discover that for yourself. `)
I think there is something very interesting about small games. Something you pay few bucks for and finish in a short evening. Something that challenges you a bit. Something that presents an interesting idea you haven’t seen too much yet.
I like that, and I liked Buckshot Roulette.
Here is a Steam link.