About Buckshot Roulette
Buckshot Roulette is an indie horror tabletop-style video game developed by Mike Klubnika. It was initially released on itch.io on December 28, 2023, with a Steam version following on April 4, 2024. The game is a twisted take on Russian roulette, but instead of a revolver, players use a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun loaded with a mix of live rounds (which deal damage) and blanks (which do nothing). You play against an AI opponent called the Dealer in a dingy, atmospheric nightclub setting.
How to play
The game is turn-based and structured around rounds (called stages or sets of three in some modes). Each round has phases: Item distribution (if applicable), health allocation, shell loading, and the main action phase. The goal is to reduce the opponent’s health (called “charges” or HP, represented by lightning bolts) to zero while keeping yours intact. You win the game by beating the Dealer in three consecutive rounds.
Setup and Health Phase: At the start of a new round, both players get the same max health (2-4 HP, increasing per round in Story Mode). Health resets each round.
Loading Phase: The Dealer loads the shotgun with 2-8 shells (randomized mix of live and blanks). You’ll see the total count of each type before they’re shuffled and loaded. Even totals mean equal live/blank; odd totals mean one more of one type. The shotgun holds up to 8 shells.
Main Phase (Turns): You always go first. On your turn:
- Optionally use items (up to your available slots; max 8).
- Pick up the shotgun.
- Choose to shoot yourself or the Dealer.
- Shoot Yourself: If blank, you keep your turn (can use more items or shoot again). If live, you take 1 damage (or 2 if modified by items) and your turn ends.
- Shoot the Dealer: If blank, nothing happens
- Turns alternate until all shells are expended or one player hits 0 HP.
- If shells run out without a winner, the round loops: New items are distributed (if slots allow), then new shells are loaded, and play resumes with you going first again.
Winning a Round: The survivor (player at >0 HP) wins the round. Lose a round, and depending on the mode, you might restart or get revived (e.g., in Story Mode’s second round, a Doctor revives you).
Shell Counting: Crucial for strategy. Track expended shells to calculate odds (e.g., if 3 live and 2 blanks remain, odds of live are 60%). Tools like items help reveal or manipulate this.
