Shotgun Cop Man Review (Nintendo Switch & PC)

Platformer games allow players to experience fast-paced action, challenging jumps, and creative level design. Shotgun Cop Man nails it with its unique movement system, where the recoil from your shotgun becomes the key to navigating the environment. Instead of the usual running and jumping, players fire their weapon to propel themselves through the air, adding a fresh and exciting twist to the classic platformer formula. Now, let’s check out the game review to see how Shotgun Cop Man delivers on its promises and what makes it stand out in the crowded platformer genre.

A Cop, a Shotgun, and One Hell of a Chase

There’s not much plot in Shotgun Cop Man; honestly, it doesn’t need one. Shotgun Cop Man doesn’t waste time trying to tell a deep or emotional story. From the moment the game starts, it’s clear that the narrative is just a light setup for the following chaos. You play as a cop, one with a big shotgun and an even bigger sense of justice, who decides to arrest the Devil. That’s it. There’s no tragic past, no fallen partner, no long exposition. Just a man with a warrant and an endless supply of shells, ready to bring law and order to the underworld.

Each level lets players chase Satan through one of Hell’s ten circles. Every time players get close, the Devil drops a smug one-liner, laughs in their face, and escapes to the next zone. Notably, he’s not portrayed as a terrifying villain. Instead, he feels like a cartoon character. This works in the game’s favor, keeping things fun and lighthearted.

The story unfolds mostly through short cutscenes between stages. They’re quick, silly, and never overstay their welcome. Players won’t find complex characters or emotional arcs here, but that’s not a bad thing. The narrative’s main job is to give players a reason to keep moving forward, and it does that just fine.

A Shooter That Moves Differently

At its core, Shotgun Cop Man is a platformer. But unlike most platformers, you don’t run and jump in the traditional sense. Instead, players move by firing their weapons. The recoil from each blast sends players flying in the opposite direction. Want to jump? Point down and shoot. Need to dodge to the left? Fire to the right. It’s a strange system at first, but once you get used to it, it’s incredibly satisfying.

Additionally, the game gives players multiple weapons to work with. Each one has its own style and recoil behavior. The shotgun is powerful but has limited ammo and forces players to land to reload. A pistol gives players smaller hops and more precise control. On the other hand, the Gatling gun lets you hover if used carefully. Therefore, Players must master each one and know when to swap between them to navigate the trickier sections.

This style of movement makes every level feel like a physics puzzle. Players can’t just hold right and jump over things. Every motion is tied to a blast. It’s not just about shooting, it’s about positioning, momentum, and timing. At times, it can be tough to pull off exactly what you want, but when it works, it feels amazing.

Levels That Never Get Old

The game is short, around five hours, but it uses that time effectively. Players move through ten distinct worlds, each introducing a fresh idea or mechanic. Nothing ever feels recycled, and the constant change keeps things exciting. Each new level feels like a breath of fresh air. Whether it’s a new weapon mechanic, a clever puzzle, or an environmental twist, there’s always something new around the corner.

For example, one world might have floors that change when players shoot them. Another world could introduce puzzles that test your understanding of weapon recoil, forcing players to use their arsenal in creative ways. The unpredictability of what’s coming next is part of the fun, and it keeps players engaged as they move from level to level.

What’s even more impressive is how the game handles its design. Instead of being mere targets to shoot, enemies are often placed in ways that challenge players’ movement. Sometimes, they block the path, creating obstacles that players must navigate around. Other times, they act like moving platforms, giving players a boost to reach a higher point or escape from danger. 

In addition, boss fights are also a regular part of the experience. While they may not be the game’s most innovative or exciting part, they help break up the pacing between the platforming sections. They add a sense of progression, as you face off against larger, more intimidating foes at the end of each world. 

However, Shotgun Cop Man is more about the journey than the destination, and the real fun lies in the movement and platforming. Unlike other games that can fall into an aimless killing spree, this action-platformer constantly challenges your ability to manoeuvre and think on your feet.

A Tough Learning Curve That Pays Off

The learning curve is steep, especially for players using a controller. You have to aim with one stick and move with the other. It’s not very natural for a platformer. It might feel clumsy at first. But stick with it. After a while, you’ll start to see what the game is going for. It rewards precision and timing. Every shot has to be planned. Every jump has to be earned. It’s not about random action. It’s about control.

Thankfully, there are some accessibility settings. For example, players can make new weapons auto-pickup. That saves time and effort during intense moments. It doesn’t fix the control issue, but it helps smooth the ride. The game becomes much more fun once you get past the early awkwardness. Players stop thinking about the controls and just play, and that’s when it really shines.

A Classic Flash Game

One of the game’s strongest qualities is its tone. Shotgun Cop Man feels like a modern tribute to the old browser games you used to sneak in during class. The game brings to mind classics like Fancy Pants Adventures or Electric Man. Short, fast, and full of charm.

The visuals are colourful and, of course, a little exaggerated. The soundtrack is energetic and playful. The animations have a cartoon vibe as well as humour that is goofy in the best way. Every time you take damage, your heart pops out of your chest and runs away. You have to chase it down to stay alive. Sounds dumb, but it really works.

However, there is a downside to all this, though. Sometimes, the humor and presentation get in the way of the gameplay. When players die, the screen zooms in briefly before giving you the option to respawn. It’s only a few seconds, but those seconds add up in a game where you die constantly.

There’s also no quick-restart button. If you mess up and want to retry a level, you have to go through a pause menu first. It’s a small inconvenience, but it becomes noticeable when you’re trying to perfect your run. 

Speedrunning

Time trials are a big part of the game. Each level grades you on how fast you finish, whether you take damage, and if you kill every enemy. Players can chase perfect runs and compare times. Of course, it’s addictive. Once you learn the movement system, you’ll want to keep replaying levels, trying to get a better time or be faster and sharper. 

But again, the lack of instant restarts hurts the flow. Players may want to jump back in right away when they mess up. Instead, you must pause, select “retry,” and sit through a short reload. In a game all about fast movement and time pressure, even small delays can feel huge. It doesn’t ruin the game, but it holds it back from being perfect in that area.

A Short Game Full of Big Ideas

Despite its short runtime, Shotgun Cop Man has a ton of clever mechanics. Almost every level introduces something new. And most of those ideas only stick around before the next one arrives. Additionally, there are reactive tiles that change when shot. Moving blocks you push with gunfire. Some of these ideas could have been explored more. Players will come across a cool mechanic, which only appears in one or two levels. That’s the tradeoff of the game’s fast pace. It’s always moving forward. It never lingers.

There’s also a level editor on PC. It lets players build their own stages using all the tools from the campaign. It includes things not seen in the main game, like new enemies and characters. If you like building, this is a big bonus. If not, seeing what the community can create is cool.

Verdict

Shotgun Cop Man is a fast and fun ride. It plays like a mix of classic Flash games and modern speedrunners. The movement system is unique and rewarding. The level design is sharp and constantly evolving. Yes, the controls are awkward at first. Yes, the slow restarts can be frustrating. But those issues don’t outweigh everything it gets right. If you’re up for something new and you don’t mind a challenge, give this new platformer a shot.