| Squirrel with a Gun | |
| Developer: | Dee Dee Creations LLC |
| Publisher: | Maximum Entertainment |
| Engine: | Unreal Engine 5[1] |
| Genre: | Action-adventure |
| Modes: | Single-player |
| Released: | Windows August 29, 2024 PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S October 15, 2024 |
Squirrel with a Gun is an indie action-adventure game developed by Dee Dee Creations[2] and published by Maximum Entertainment. It was released on August 29, 2024, on Windows, and on October 15, 2024 for the Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5.[3] [4] [5] [6] The player controls a squirrel that wields a gun as it escapes a secret underground facility and pesters the residents of a neighborhood. The game takes inspiration from the Yakuza franchise and Shadow of the Colossus and has been compared to games such as Untitled Goose Game and Goat Simulator.[7] [8]
In Squirrel with a Gun, players take control of an ordinary squirrel that wields various firearms to navigate a suburban environment.[9] The game is primarily a sandbox experience, where players can explore the world, interact with objects, and engage in combat with NPCs, including local residents and agents attempting to capture the squirrel. The squirrel's primary ability is using guns, of which it has a multitude of weapons that it can use ranging from pistols, shotguns, sniper rifles, and a RPG.[10] These weapons can be used to kill the enemy "agents" that pursue the squirrel throughout the game or can be used to clear platforming puzzles that reward a collectable item, a golden acorn.[11] [12]
In addition to fighting enemies, players can engage in non-violent activities such as stealing food from residents or helping NPCs complete tasks. While the game's tone is humorous and chaotic, it also includes stealth elements, allowing the squirrel to sneak past enemies or set up ambushes. The squirrel also has a range of costumes it can wear.[13] [14] [15]
A squirrel breaks into a top-secret lab and eats a special hard drive that is shaped like an acorn, prompting agents to pursue it. The squirrel escapes the secret underground facility and causes havoc in a residential neighborhood.
Travis Northup for IGN rated the game 6/10, praising the gameplay as a squirrel, but condemns a few technical issues faced when played. He also stated that the squirrel is "like a furry John Wick."[16]