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CRITIK

Squirrel with a Gun

Name: Comprehensive Review and Analysis of Squirrel with a Gun
Item: Squirrel with a Gun
Author: Critik Editorial Team

2024

GenresAdventure, Indie, Action, Third Person Perspective, Shooter, Simulation, Single Player

AvailableAug 29, 2024

PlatformXbox Series X, PC, PlayStation 5

DeveloperDee Dee Creations LLC

Overview

Squirrel with a Gun is a sandbox game that focuses on exploration and shooting combat. Defend yourself from random encounters with Agents using various weapons. Deflect their melee attacks with exceptional timing to disarm them. Climb and jump across platforms with your natural squirrel skill. Use weapon recoil to cross even greater gaps. Explore the neighbourhood from a squirrel's eye view. Talk with residents of the neighbourhood and help them out for goodies. Or mug them for goodies.

Elsewhere

Game analysis

Critik Scorecard

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Story and Narrative

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY

Story Score

Positive (80-100)

11%

Mixed (50-79)

89%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.

The Story of Squirrel with a Gun has garnered positive feedback from several critics for its unique and humorous premise. Critics like GamingBolt and Digital Chumps appreciate the game's comedic elements, with GamingBolt noting the hysterical focus on a squirrel pursued by agents after stealing a golden acorn, and Digital Chumps highlighting the absurdity of a squirrel with a gun causing chaos. The game's ability to deliver humor and entertainment through its outlandish storyline is a standout feature that resonated well with these reviewers. On the downside, some critics, such as IGN and COGconnected, mention shortcomings in the longevity and depth of the story. IGN points out that while the premise of controlling a gun-toting squirrel causing havoc is wacky and initially enjoyable, the humor and enjoyment are short-lived. COGconnected also notes that the narrative premise, which involves a squirrel causing havoc in a suburban neighborhood, lacks depth. These criticisms suggest that the game may struggle to maintain engagement over extended play sessions due to its limited narrative depth. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the Story of Squirrel with a Gun offers a mix of positives and negatives. While the game excels in delivering humor and entertainment through its bizarre and nonsensical storyline, it may fall short in terms of providing a deep and engaging narrative experience. Critics like Hooked Gamers appreciate the game's humor and comedic elements, while others like GameGrin and SpazioGames acknowledge the lack of depth in the story. The game's unique premise and comedic approach seem to have left a lasting impression on some reviewers, despite the narrative shortcomings mentioned by others. Ultimately, the Story of Squirrel with a Gun appears to cater to players looking for a lighthearted and amusing gaming experience rather than a deep storytelling adventure.

TL;DR

story and narrative

"Story of Squirrel with a Gun" wows critics with its hilarious and absurd premise of a squirrel causing chaos with a gun. While praised for its humor, some critics feel the game lacks depth and longevity in its narrative. Overall, it offers a quirky and entertaining experience but may not satisfy players seeking a deep storytelling adventure.

Gameplay Mechanics

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY

Gameplay Score

Positive (80-100)

55%

Mixed (50-79)

45%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.

The gameplay of Squirrel with a Gun has garnered praise from several critics for its engaging mix of combat, platforming, and puzzle-solving elements. Critics like COGconnected and GamingBolt appreciate the diverse gameplay elements, including agile controls, creative use of weapon mechanics for puzzles, challenging platforming sections, and boss fights that require strategic thinking. Hooked Gamers also highlight the fun puzzle mechanics, exploration elements, and the variety of weapons and outfits available for collection. The smooth movement and gunplay, as noted by GameSkinny, add to the overall positive gameplay experience, making it enjoyable for players looking for a mix of action and exploration. On the downside, some critics express concerns about certain aspects of the gameplay in Squirrel with a Gun. Checkpoint Gaming and IGN point out issues with imprecise physics, shallow combat mechanics, repetitive enemy encounters, and limited finishing move animations, which can lead to a sense of monotony during gameplay. GameGrin also mentions technical problems like clipping that detract from the overall experience, potentially hindering player immersion. These criticisms suggest that while the game offers a variety of gameplay elements, there are areas where improvements could enhance the overall enjoyment and longevity of the experience. Overall, the consensus among the critics regarding the gameplay of Squirrel with a Gun is mixed. While there is appreciation for the game's diverse gameplay mechanics, engaging puzzles, and exploration elements, criticisms regarding repetitive combat, technical issues, and lack of depth in certain areas are also prevalent. The game seems to offer a unique and entertaining experience for players who enjoy a blend of shooting, platforming, and exploration, as highlighted by SpazioGames and Digital Chumps. However, to appeal to a wider audience and achieve greater acclaim, addressing the noted shortcomings in gameplay mechanics and variety may be necessary.

TL;DR

gameplay mechanics

Squirrel with a Gun impresses with its engaging mix of combat, platforming, and puzzles, praised for agile controls, weapon mechanics, and strategic boss fights. However, critics mention issues like imprecise physics, repetitive combat, and technical glitches that hinder the overall experience. While the game offers enjoyable gameplay for action and exploration enthusiasts, addressing these shortcomings could elevate its appeal to a broader audience.

Graphics and Visual Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS

Visual Score

Positive (80-100)

33%

Mixed (50-79)

56%

Negative (0-49)

11%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.

The critics generally praised the Graphics and Visual Design of Squirrel with a Gun for its positive aspects. Critics like GamingBolt and GameGrin appreciated the impressive character design, detailed graphics, and unique environments in the game. GamingBolt specifically highlighted the attention to detail in character design, reflections, water effects, and lighting, while GameGrin enjoyed the customizable outfits for the squirrel and unique locations in the town. COGconnected also commended the stylized realism art approach, cute and realistic squirrel models, quirky human characters, and the unique environments like living rooms filled with lava. These positive aspects contributed to creating an engaging and visually appealing game world that captured the attention of the players. On the flip side, some critics pointed out certain negative aspects of the Graphics and Visual Design in Squirrel with a Gun. Checkpoint Gaming mentioned technical issues like janky animations and objects spawning midair, which detracted from the overall visual experience. SpazioGames highlighted issues with texture quality, frame rate drops, and a shaky camera during intense moments, which affected the immersion and gameplay flow. GameSkinny also noted that while the character design and graphics were impressive, the animations could become repetitive, potentially leading to a lack of variety in the visual presentation. These technical flaws and repetitive elements could potentially hinder the overall enjoyment and immersion for players. Overall, the consensus among the critics regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of Squirrel with a Gun is mixed. While there is appreciation for the detailed graphics, character design, and unique environments, there are also concerns raised about technical issues, repetitive animations, and visual flaws. Critics like IGN and Push Square highlighted the zany and chaotic visuals, aiming for humor and action-packed moments, which added a unique charm to the game. However, the presence of janky animations, technical issues, and repetitive elements mentioned by critics like Checkpoint Gaming and GameSkinny may impact the overall visual experience for some players. Despite the mixed opinions, the game's visual design seems to have a distinct style that combines humor, action, and creativity, offering a visually engaging experience with room for improvement in certain technical aspects.

TL;DR

graphics and visual design

Critics praised Squirrel with a Gun for its impressive graphics and character design, creating a visually appealing game world. However, some critics pointed out technical issues like janky animations and texture quality problems that may hinder the overall experience. The game's visuals blend humor and action but have room for improvement in addressing repetitive elements and technical flaws.

Music and Sound Design

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TL;DR

music and sound design

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Voice Acting

Analysis Unavailable

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TL;DR

voice acting

Description unavailable

Technical Performance

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE

Tech Score

Positive (80-100)

Mixed (50-79)

67%

Negative (0-49)

33%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.

In terms of the positives for the PC version of Squirrel with a Gun, critics like GamingBolt appreciated the full keyboard and controller support, along with well-implemented controls that enhanced the diverse gameplay mechanics. The flexibility in control options added to the overall gameplay experience. Additionally, GamingBolt also highlighted the nostalgic saving system, which, when used correctly, added a unique element to the game. On the flip side, the PC version of the game faced several technical challenges according to critics like IGN and SpazioGames. Issues such as frequent crashes, frozen screens, glitches disrupting gameplay, poor texture quality, frame rate drops, and a shaky camera significantly impacted the overall stability and playability of the game. These technical issues, including crashes and lost progress due to crashes, hindered the enjoyment of playing Squirrel with a Gun on PC. Furthermore, critics like Checkpoint Gaming, COGconnected, GameGrin, GameSkinny, and Hooked Gamers reported various bugs, crashes, clipping problems, hidden controls, and poor camera angles that affected the overall technical performance on PC. The overall consensus among critics for Squirrel with a Gun across all platforms leans towards a mixed reception due to the technical performance issues. While some reviewers highlighted positive aspects like control options and nostalgic saving systems on PC, the prevalent negative feedback regarding crashes, bugs, poor camera angles, and other technical issues overshadowed these positives. The game's technical performance, especially on PC, was a significant point of concern for critics like IGN, SpazioGames, and GameGrin, impacting the overall gameplay experience. The general sentiment suggests that the technical performance of Squirrel with a Gun needs improvement to provide a smoother and more enjoyable gaming experience across all platforms.

TL;DR

technical performance

Critics praised Squirrel with a Gun on PC for its control options and nostalgic saving system, but technical issues like crashes, glitches, and poor camera angles dampened the gameplay experience. Mixed reviews across all platforms emphasize the need for significant improvements in technical performance for a smoother gaming experience.

Replay Value

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE

Replay Score

Positive (80-100)

Mixed (50-79)

73%

Negative (0-49)

18%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.

The critics generally agree that "Squirrel with a Gun" offers some positive aspects in terms of replay value. GameGrin and GameSkinny highlight the game's engaging content, such as exploring the town, collecting special items, and unlocking upgrades, which can appeal to players who enjoy grinding and customization. Additionally, COGconnected mentions the potential for expansion through new content, suggesting that the solid narrative premise and mechanics could enhance replayability if further developed. These elements contribute to the game's ability to provide players with varied experiences and incentives to revisit the gameplay. On the other hand, several critics point out negative aspects that may impact the replay value of "Squirrel with a Gun." Xbox Tavern mentions that once puzzles are solved, they become simple, potentially diminishing the challenge and novelty of subsequent playthroughs. Checkpoint Gaming and IGN highlight technical issues and lack of polish, which can detract from the overall experience and hinder long-term engagement. Digital Chumps also criticizes the game for its short length and lack of variety, suggesting that it may not offer substantial replay value beyond initial bursts of enjoyment. Overall, the consensus among the critics leans towards acknowledging the potential for replay value in "Squirrel with a Gun," albeit with some caveats. While the game offers engaging content, customization options, and incentives for exploration, concerns about technical issues, lack of variety, and short gameplay length are raised by critics like Checkpoint Gaming, Digital Chumps, and IGN. The promise of additional content and the game's variety in gameplay, as noted by GamingBolt, Hooked Gamers, and SpazioGames, provide a glimmer of hope for increased replayability through future updates or expansions. Ultimately, the game's replay value seems to be a mixed bag, with both positive and negative aspects influencing players' likelihood to revisit the squirrel-filled world.

TL;DR

replay value

"Squirrel with a Gun" impresses with engaging gameplay, customization options, and potential for expansion, garnering praise for its replay value. However, criticisms about simple puzzles, technical issues, lack of variety, and short length temper the overall reception. While some critics see room for improvement and future updates to enhance replayability, others question the game's lasting appeal beyond initial enjoyment.

Overall Verdict

CRITIK

OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION

Critik Score

Positive (80-100)

23%

Mixed (50-79)

70%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.

The critics generally praised "Squirrel with a Gun" for its enjoyable and wacky gameplay experience. Xbox Tavern appreciated the mix of elements and recommended it for fans of animal physics-based simulators. GamingBolt highlighted the game's humor, engaging gameplay, and excellent visuals, standing out among indie titles. GameSkinny also commended the game for its engaging gameplay and great graphics, drawing comparisons to the popular "Goat Simulator." On the downside, several critics pointed out technical issues and lack of polish in "Squirrel with a Gun." Checkpoint Gaming found the game frustrating to play due to these issues, despite its occasional fun moments like boss fights. IGN criticized the shallow gameplay, short-lived humor, and significant technical problems, which hindered the overall experience. SpazioGames mentioned that technical issues and gameplay challenges held the game back from reaching its full potential, despite its moments of genius and humor. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that "Squirrel with a Gun" offers a fun and entertaining experience with its over-the-top and ridiculous premise. While the game has its flaws such as technical issues, lack of depth, and repetitive elements, it still manages to provide enjoyable gameplay experiences. Critics like COGconnected and Push Square recommended the game for its engaging gameplay and chaotic entertainment value, making it a suitable choice for players looking for a light-hearted and amusing gaming experience. However, the general sentiment suggests that while "Squirrel with a Gun" has its charm and moments of brilliance, it falls short of its full potential due to various technical and gameplay-related shortcomings.

TL;DR

Critics praised "Squirrel with a Gun" for its fun and wacky gameplay, humor, and visuals, making it stand out among indie titles. However, they also noted technical issues and lack of polish that hindered the overall experience. Despite its flaws, the game offers an entertaining and chaotic experience with moments of brilliance, recommended for players seeking a light-hearted and amusing gaming adventure.

CRITIK

Reviews

43 reviews found

GamingBolt

Sep 10, 2024