Info about Shotgun King: The Final Checkmate:

Official game description:
Chess, but all your army has gone over to the white side, leaving you with nothing but your royal shotgun and your wounded pride. Carried by your dark folly, you decide it's time to teach those white pieces to fear the Shotgun King.
Every turn, you may either move your king or shoot at enemy pieces, after what you'll need to move again to reload your shotgun. Avoid checkmate and kill the enemy king to complete the floor. After each floor, you may choose between two random combinations of one upgrade for you and one upgrade for the other side. Choose wisely and keep on winning floors and you just may get your kingdom back.
Runs may take ~20 minutes to complete. The game features 15 ranks of difficulty, unlockable cards, over 100 achievements to complete, an endless mode, and now a chase mode where you get continually assailed from all sides!

Release date: May 12, 2022

Categories: Chess-based Gameplay, Roguelike, Turn-based Strategy, Card-based Mechanics, Achievements, Endless Mode, Chase Mode, High Score Chasing

Feature scans:
- Steam Deck: score 30; verdict: Playable with Minor Issues; summary: The overall experience of 'Shotgun King' on the Steam Deck is largely positive, with users appreciating the smooth controls and enjoyable gameplay. However, there are notable stability issues, particularly with crashes after updates, which significantly impact the user experience.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $5.00 - $10.00
  - Reasoning: The evidence suggests a mixed sentiment regarding the game's value for money. Some users find the game worth the full price, especially if it's on sale, indicating that the fair price might be around the lower end of the current price spectrum. Others feel that the game is only justifiable at a significantly reduced price, such as $5. This indicates that while there is value in the game, it might not be substantial enough to warrant a higher price point. The general consensus seems to be that the game is worth purchasing at a discounted price, suggesting a fair price range that is lower than the current base price.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 30.0h
  - Story completion: 2.0h
  - Session length: 0.3h
  - Endgame: 10.0h
  - Reasoning: The evidence provides a range of playtime metrics. The first quote suggests that individual sessions can be quick but engaging over a long period, contributing to the session length and overall playtime. The second and third quotes indicate that players can invest significant time, around 30 hours, before feeling they have seen most content, which helps estimate game completion and endgame playtime. The fourth quote suggests a shorter initial playtime for some players, which might reflect story completion time for those who do not engage deeply with the game.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game is initially fun and engaging during the first few hours, especially on low difficulty, but the learning curve and repetitiveness may hinder long-term enjoyment.
  - Stance: Fun immediately
  - Anchor: Comfortable gameplay on low difficulty
  - Time to anchor: 1h 0m
  - Friction: Learning curve for new players; Complex chess rules; Repetitive gameplay loop
  - Unlock drivers: Low difficulty setting; Addictive nature of the game
  - Conditions: Solo play; Low difficulty setting; Appreciation for challenging gameplay
- Player Archetypes:
  - Challenge-Seeking Strategist (buy)
    - Motivation: Enjoys the strategic challenge and unique gameplay mechanics.
    - Playstyle: Plays aggressively and enjoys the tension created by the game's risk-and-reward mechanics.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: Strategy game lover; Chess enthusiast
    - Reference games: Curse Of The Dead Gods; Pawnbarian
  - Casual Chess Enthusiast (sale)
    - Motivation: Enjoys short, fun gaming sessions with a unique twist on chess.
    - Playstyle: Plays casually and enjoys the game's accessibility and quick sessions.
    - Experience: newcomer
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: Casual gamer; Chess novice
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Reserved Recommender (deep sale)
    - Motivation: Enjoys the game but is frustrated by its flaws and niche appeal.
    - Playstyle: Plays with caution and recommends the game with reservations.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: deep sale
    - Labels: Critical player; Quality-conscious gamer
    - Reference games: N/A


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Innovative chess fusion (weight 0.48): The game is lauded for its unique combination of chess with other genres like shooters and roguelikes. This fusion is seen as a fresh and fun twist on classic chess.
- Game is highly enjoyable (weight 0.38): Players consistently describe the game as enjoyable, fun, and well-made. It is praised for its engaging mechanics and addictive gameplay.
- Engaging short play sessions (weight 0.2): The game is engaging and suitable for short play sessions, making it easy to pick up and play casually.
- Strategic and tactical gameplay (weight 0.18): The gameplay is noted for being strategic and tactical, offering a challenging and enjoyable experience for players.
- Fun and diverse gameplay (weight 0.18): The gameplay is described as fun, challenging, and entertaining. It offers a variety of experiences that keep players engaged.
- Interesting card mechanics (weight 0.17): The game features interesting and unique card mechanics that add depth and variety to the gameplay.
- Many achievements available (weight 0.11): The game offers a large number of achievements, adding to the fun and providing goals for players to strive for.
- Good for learning chess (weight 0.11): The game helps players learn chess rules and is accessible even to those who do not know the rules of chess.
- Smart and stylish execution (weight 0.08): The game is described as a smart and stylish execution of a unique combination of chess tactics and action.
- Simple art style (weight 0.07): The game features a simple and beautiful visual style with retro-style graphics that appeal to players.

Common complaints:
- Over-reliance on luck (weight 0.26): The game mechanics are perceived to rely too heavily on luck, which can be frustrating for players. This includes luck-based achievements and progression.
- Frustrating gameplay experience (weight 0.21): Players report that the gameplay can be frustrating due to various factors such as lack of counterplay, debuffs, and lack of player agency.
- Achievements are overly difficult (weight 0.2): Many players find the achievements in the game to be extremely challenging and frustrating. They are often described as time-consuming, luck-based, and not well thought out.
- Excessive randomness (weight 0.2): The game contains too many randomized elements, which can affect gameplay and player experience negatively.
- Issues with chess mechanics (weight 0.15): The game includes chess mechanics that may not appeal to traditional chess players and can lead to quick checkmates, causing frustration.
- Balancing issues (weight 0.09): Players have noted that the game has balancing issues, with some mechanics being unbalanced and requiring re-balancing.
- Shotgun unlocks are difficult (weight 0.08): Unlocking new shotguns is reported to be extremely difficult and random, not based on player progress.
- Content lacking for price (weight 0.08): Players feel that the game does not offer enough content to justify its price, leading to dissatisfaction.
- Shotgun performance issues (weight 0.08): Shotguns in the game have inconsistent performance and excessive spread, leading to player frustration.
- Shield mechanics problems (weight 0.06): Shields in the game do not always work properly, which can be problematic during gameplay.
- Bullet spread mechanics issues (weight 0.06): The game has problematic bullet spread mechanics, including issues with diagonal shots leading to unfair deaths.
- Limited growth elements (weight 0.05): The game lacks external growth elements, leading to a perception of slow or no growth.
- Poor card system and UI (weight 0.05): The card system in the game is considered poor, and the UI design needs improvement.

Gameplay feedback:
- Chess with shooting mechanics (weight 0.4): The game combines traditional chess mechanics with shooting elements, such as using a shotgun. Players can move chess pieces and also shoot opponents, adding a unique twist to classic chess gameplay.
- Roguelite elements and structure (weight 0.32): The game incorporates roguelite mechanics, including random buffs, debuffs, and card systems. This adds replayability and strategic depth, as players must adapt to different runs and upgrades.
- Strategic decision-making (weight 0.23): The game emphasizes strategic elements, requiring players to make thoughtful decisions based on chess mechanics and strategic card selection. This adds depth to the gameplay.
- Card synergy mechanics (weight 0.14): The game features a card-based system where players can draft and select cards with unique synergies. This adds a layer of strategy and customization to the gameplay.
- Various game modes (weight 0.12): The game offers multiple modes, including Throne mode, Endless mode, and Chase mode. Each mode provides a different gameplay experience and objectives.
- Turn-based strategy (weight 0.06): The game combines turn-based strategy with real-time elements, requiring players to think ahead and plan their moves carefully.
- Upgrades and sidegrades (weight 0.06): The game includes an upgrade system where players can enhance their king and other pieces, adding a progression element to the gameplay.
- Random bullet spread mechanics (weight 0.06): The shotgun in the game features random bullet spread mechanics, adding an element of unpredictability and requiring players to adapt their strategies.

Performance notes:
- Frequent game crashes (weight 0.09): The game experiences frequent crashes, including during the tutorial phase. This issue severely impacts gameplay and user experience.
- Optimized for Steam Deck (weight 0.09): The game runs well on Steam Deck, with smooth controls and overall positive performance. Many users find it to be a great experience on this platform.
- Full-screen mode lag (weight 0.03): Running the game in full-screen mode causes lag, which can be detrimental to the gaming experience.
- Low PC requirements (weight 0.03): The game has low PC requirements, making it accessible to a wide range of users with different hardware specifications.
- Laggy performance on certain PCs (weight 0.03): Some users experience laggy performance on certain PCs, indicating potential optimization issues for specific hardware configurations.
- Language settings issues (weight 0.03): There are issues with the language settings in the game, which can affect users who prefer or require different language options.

Recommendations:
- Game highly recommended (weight 0.32): Many reviewers enjoy the game and recommend it to others. They suggest trying it out, especially if you enjoy strategy games or chess.
- Add more content and features (weight 0.11): Reviewers desire more content, including multiplayer options, more active skills, and additional characters and traits.
- Wait for a sale (weight 0.08): Several reviewers suggest waiting for a sale before purchasing the game to get better value for money.
- Add stronger upgrades and weaken opponents (weight 0.04): Suggestions for improving gameplay include adding stronger upgrades for the player and weakening the opponents.
- Improve card selection mode (weight 0.04): Suggestions for improving the card selection mechanism, including adding a mode for direct card selection.
- Add save/load feature (weight 0.03): Reviewers suggest adding a save/load feature to improve the gaming experience.
- Recommend using mods (weight 0.02): Some reviewers recommend using mods to enhance the gameplay experience.
- Add shops and mid-bosses (weight 0.02): Suggestions to add shops and mid-bosses that provide items to enhance gameplay.
- Nominated for Labor of Love (weight 0.02): One reviewer nominated the game for the Labor of Love award, indicating a strong appreciation for the game.

Other player notes:
- Unclear reloading mechanic (weight 0.03): Players have reported that the game's reloading mechanic is not clearly explained, leading to confusion during gameplay.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.3): Players experience frustration due to a variety of gameplay issues, including sudden deaths at the start, luck-based mechanics, and difficulty spikes. Specific mechanics like the discovered check and shield issues, along with repetitive gameplay and unclear rules, contribute to this frustration.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.24): Players enjoy the game for its unique combination of chess and roguelike elements, strategic gameplay, and variety of modes. The addictive and challenging nature of the game, along with its high replay value, contributes to the overall enjoyment.
- Excitement (weight 0.08): The game's unique and addictive gameplay experience, along with its original concept and strategic depth, excites players. The challenging and rewarding nature of the game, combined with its inventive mechanics, adds to the excitement.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.05): Players feel satisfied with the game's strategic depth, unique mechanics, and overall gameplay experience. The game's ability to train the mind and its value for the price contribute to this satisfaction.
- Disappointment (weight 0.05): Players express disappointment due to repetitive gameplay, lack of content, and balance issues. The high price and lack of depth, along with constant crashing and lack of variety in upgrades, contribute to this disappointment.
- Amusement (weight 0.04): The game's humorous concept and unique combination of chess and firearms amuse players. The unexpected and hilarious gameplay scenarios, along with personal anecdotes, add to the amusement.
- Positive (weight 0.03): Players have an overall positive sentiment about the game, enjoying its concept and recommending it. The game's engaging and strategic gameplay, along with its unique mechanics, contribute to this positivity.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.02): Players are enthusiastic about the game's enjoyable gameplay, variety of modes, and high rating. The game's atmosphere and mechanics, along with its positive aspects, contribute to this enthusiasm.
- Anger (weight 0.02): Players feel anger due to game mechanics issues, excessive shotgun spread, and level design problems. The frustration with game design and balance issues, along with notifiers and shield mechanics not working as expected, contribute to this anger.
- Admiration (weight 0.01): Players admire the game's creative design, innovative gameplay, and strategic depth. The game's influence on the genre and its unique mechanics contribute to this admiration.
- Excited (weight 0.01): Players are excited about achieving secret endings, the potential for future updates, and the great ambient soundtrack. The game's unique mechanics and challenging nature contribute to this excitement.
- Frustrated (weight 0.01): Players feel frustrated due to known bugs with advancements, game balance issues, and lack of warnings. The game's difficulty and limited card choices, along with unforgiving mechanics, contribute to this frustration.
- Intrigued (weight 0.01): Players are intrigued by the game's unique mechanics and strategic depth. The game's original concept and combination of chess and roguelike elements contribute to this intrigue.
- Engaged (weight 0.01): Players are engaged by the game's core mechanics, interesting playstyles with cards, and strategic depth. The turn-based chess with roguelike elements and variety of builds contribute to this engagement.
- Pride (weight 0.01): Players feel pride in overcoming the game's challenges and achieving full completion. The game's strategic depth and unique mechanics contribute to this sense of accomplishment.
- Joy (weight 0.01): Players experience joy from finding deep secrets by accident and appreciating the game's unique intro screen. The game's ability to help with personal design challenges contributes to this joy.
- Surprise (weight 0.01): Players are surprised by the game's original gameplay mechanics and the fun experience of playing chess. The game's weird but well-playing nature contributes to this surprise.
- Negative (weight 0.01): Players have a negative sentiment due to the game's balance and randomness issues. The frustration with reliance on luck for achievements and disappointment with replayability and modes contribute to this negativity.
- Impressed (weight 0.01): Players are impressed by the game's unique combination of chess and random elements, along with its well-thought-out and balanced gameplay. The continuous updates and improvements contribute to this impression.
- Curiosity (weight 0.01): Players are curious about how good chess players would play the game and its unique roguelike elements. The game's interesting mechanics and strategic depth contribute to this curiosity.}