Prepare to roll the dice with your life in Buckshot Roulette, the survival horror game that combines Russian roulette with a 12-gauge shotgun in a seedy underground nightclub. Created by indie developer Mike Klubnika, this grim experience has already captivated players with its deadly simplicity and intense atmosphere. With its highly anticipated multiplayer mode hitting Steam on October 31 as a free update, players can now invite up to three friends (or frenemies) to the table, where only one will make it out alive.
We got an exclusive early look at this multiplayer update, and while it’s clear there are still a few wrinkles to iron out, the experience left us eager for more. With new items, fresh gameplay dynamics, and plenty of nail-biting tension, Buckshot Roulette’s multiplayer mode has the potential to become a must-play for fans of horror and thrill-seeking games alike.
A Grimly Unique Take on Horror Gaming
What makes Buckshot Roulette stand out in the horror genre is its raw simplicity and intense gameplay loop. Players find themselves trapped in a grimy, dimly lit nightclub, seated across from The Dealer, a figure who is both an adversary and an embodiment of fate. The game’s core mode, where players face off against The Dealer in a deadly version of Russian roulette with a shotgun, provides a visceral thrill—each trigger pull potentially bringing the game to an abrupt end.
Gameplay sessions last a brief 15-20 minutes but pack a massive adrenaline punch, as players press their luck through three rounds in hopes of escaping with their lives. Adding to the immersion, the game’s eerie industrial music and shadowy visuals pull players deeper into this dystopian nightmare.
New Multiplayer Mode: Team Up… or Don’t
The Halloween launch of Buckshot Roulette’s multiplayer mode on Steam expands the game from its solitary survival experience to one of social horror. Now, players can test their luck alongside friends, taking turns to face the shotgun’s deadly trigger in groups of two to four. The concept remains as nerve-wracking as ever: one player survives, while the others fall victim to fate’s random cruelty. In multiplayer mode, each match evolves into a psychological battle where each player must decide whether to trust their friends or press their luck.
The addition of new items makes multiplayer mode even more unpredictable. Among these items are the Jammer, which can skip another player’s turn, and the Inverter, which reverses the order of turns around the table. These items add layers of strategy, enabling players to mess with the rhythm of the game or catch their opponents off guard. However, the tension only heightens as each round brings the unlucky closer to their end.
During our early look at the update, we encountered some minor bugs, including occasional misreads on who was still alive or which items players had already used. While these glitches slightly impacted the experience, the developers at CRITICAL REFLEX and Mike Klubnika are aware of these issues and plan to have them patched before the full release—or very soon afterward.
Immersive Horror in Every Detail
Buckshot Roulette excels at building a gritty, immersive environment. Klubnika’s design transforms the nightclub setting into a sensory assault, combining ambient soundscapes with dim lighting and menacing visuals. Drawing inspiration from artists like Boards of Canada and Aphex Twin, Klubnika has created a haunting industrial soundtrack that pulses through the game, intensifying every drawn-out moment before the trigger is pulled. The Dealer himself, a shadowy figure lurking across the table, adds an extra layer of dread as he takes players through each nerve-wracking turn.
This atmospheric intensity carries into the multiplayer mode, where players can see their friends sitting beside them, only amplifying the sense of shared risk. In a mode where each player’s survival comes at the expense of others, Buckshot Roulette delivers a rare combination of horror and social interaction, urging players to betray or strategize against each other in a relentless dance with death.
The Thrills of New Items and Features
Alongside multiplayer, the Halloween update brings new items and features that enhance the game’s core mechanics. The Jammer and Inverter introduce strategic elements to the otherwise luck-based gameplay, allowing players to manipulate the order of events and potentially disrupt opponents’ plans. These items are designed to keep players on their toes, knowing that their turn could be altered at any moment. In a game where fate is as much an enemy as the players themselves, these new items breathe fresh tension into each round.
Additionally, the new Double or Nothing mode ups the stakes, challenging players to see how long they can survive against The Dealer. In this mode, the traditional win condition changes, pushing players to continuously risk everything for a higher score, rather than merely surviving. This mode is ideal for solo players looking for a new thrill, and the quick-paced rounds make it perfect for streaming and sharing with an online audience.
Early Access to the Multiplayer Beta
For dedicated fans eager to test their mettle, the developers will soon be opening a closed beta for Buckshot Roulette’s multiplayer mode. This beta, available to owners of the game on Steam, allows players to dive into the multiplayer update early, giving them a chance to experience the full range of items, modes, and gameplay features. It’s a thrilling opportunity for those who can’t wait to join their friends in Buckshot Roulette’s high-stakes world, and the community feedback from this beta will be vital in refining the experience further.
To stay up-to-date on beta access and future updates, players can join the official CRITICAL REFLEX Discord community or follow CR Channel on Twitter. Both channels will feature the latest news, events, and discussions about Buckshot Roulette and other horror titles from CRITICAL REFLEX’s indie-focused label, CR Channel.
A Bold Move in Indie Horror Gaming
Buckshot Roulette is already a unique entry in the horror genre, but this multiplayer update takes it to the next level, offering players the chance to share in the terrifying thrill of each trigger pull. With its gritty atmosphere, inventive new items, and intense gameplay dynamics, this game is set to stand out in the horror gaming scene.
If you’re ready to press your luck and face the ultimate high-stakes challenge, Buckshot Roulette’s multiplayer mode is not to be missed. Whether you’re playing to survive or simply watching the terror unfold, this October 31 update promises a chilling experience that’s bound to keep players on the edge of their seats. So gather your friends, sharpen your strategy, and get ready to see who makes it out alive.
Grab Buckshot Roulette on Steam now and get ready for the most intense game of your life!