With Shotgun Cop Man, DeadToast Entertainment continues its flair for chaotic, finely tuned action, delivering a twitchy platformer that’s equal parts absurd and exhilarating. Published by Devolver Digital, this hell-blasted journey marries the finesse of precision platformers with the propulsion-based madness of games like Broforce, though with a unique twist – your only means of movement and murder is your shotgun. The result is a delightfully unhinged experience that thrives on precision, patience, and no small amount of trial-and-error. We played it on the Nintendo Switch.
You play as the titular lawman with a mission so ridiculous it somehow works: arrest Satan. But story isn’t the point here – aside from a few humorous cutscenes and the ever-present absurdity of your purpose, the game is all about momentum and survival. Every blast from your shotgun doubles as both a weapon and a movement mechanic, flinging you across chasms, around traps, and directly into the jaws of hell’s many inhabitants. The mechanic is simple in concept but punishingly deep in execution, requiring players to learn and master a rhythm of propulsion-based platforming that’s equal parts graceful and chaotic pretty much at all times.
The game’s 150+ handcrafted levels are short but dense, each one designed like a self-contained puzzle room filled with enemies, spikes, saw blades, and environmental hazards that test not just reflexes, but also your ability to improvise and come up with something else when you fail. The challenge ramps up quickly, and while the initial few levels give you space to experiment, later sections demand pixel-perfect blasts and near-telepathic timing. Frustration can build, especially when faced with later “No Damage” or “Kill All” challenges, but Shotgun Cop Man is also generous with instant respawns and tight checkpointing, keeping the momentum from dying out.
Control-wise, the Switch version holds up admirably. Aiming can be slightly imprecise when playing on Joy-Cons, especially when juggling enemy fire and tricky platforming, but overall responsiveness remains intact. Toggling between weapons and lining up blasts mid-air feels snappy, and most of the difficulty stems from level design, not technical hiccups. However, handheld play is less ideal – especially in visually dense stages – where clutter and small sprites can strain visibility.
Visually, the game leans into its comic-book aesthetic with thick outlines, exaggerated character design, and a color palette that splashes bright red with gore. It’s not a technical showcase, but it has a confident style that fits the over-the-top premise. The sound design and music similarly lean into parody and adrenaline-pumping riffs, with every shotgun blast punctuated by satisfying thumps and enemy squelches.
The built-in level editor is another major highlight, offering creative players a chance to craft their own gauntlets. Though the Nintendo Switch version lacks the Steam Workshop integration of the PC version, it still allows for local creation and testing, adding some longevity once you’ve finished the main campaign. Whether you’re chasing S-ranks or just trying to survive the next deathtrap room, Shotgun Cop Man rewards mastery with a satisfying sense of control and rhythm.
There are limits to its appeal, of course. The difficulty curve may be too punishing for casual players, and the intentionally minimal story does little to contextualize the increasingly frantic level design. Some repetition creeps in, especially in later stages where hazards start to feel familiar rather than surprising. But for those who love skill-based platformers that don’t hold your hand, it offers a ridiculous and rewarding ride – with plenty of content.
Shotgun Cop Man is exactly what it sets out to be: a double-barrelled fever dream that combines tight action-platforming with a gloriously dumb premise. It may not have universal appeal, but for players craving a new arcade-style challenge with surprising mechanical depth and a welcome dose of lunacy, this is worth visiting. Just be prepared to die – a lot – and laugh while doing it.
Score: 8.1/10
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