Wizard with a Gun

Lore & Background

Wizard with a Gun was developed by Seattle-based Galvanic Games and published by Devolver Digital. The game launched on October 17, 2023, for Windows, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, with a Nintendo Switch port undated. On May 13, 2024, the free Better Together update introduced four-player cooperative multiplayer and customizable difficulty settings. Galvanic Games closed down in June 2024.

Players control a wizard attempting to stop the forces of chaos from destroying their world. The game is played from an isometric point of view and features procedurally generated levels. Players collect resources for crafting and upgrading their wizard tower, and can upgrade their pistol to weapons such as a submachine gun and shotgun, all firing magic bullets. Different spell effects include elemental damage, charm, fear, and knock-back. The goal is to defeat bosses holding powerful artifacts before time runs out. In cooperative multiplayer, the number of chaos monsters increases, and defeating enemies extends the time limit.

Reader's Guide

Wizard with a Gun is notable for blending twin-stick shooter mechanics with survival game elements like resource gathering and base-building. Reviews highlighted both strengths and weaknesses. PC Gamer noted that while the game expands on the groundwork of Enter the Gungeon, the combat feels unpolished, though the tight gameplay loop of incremental progress toward better loot and crafted weapons kept them persistently engaged. IGN called it an entertaining co-op action game but found cooperative multiplayer made the game too easy due to bonus time from increased chaos monsters, and criticized some magic bullets as uninteresting or underpowered, with an anticlimactic ending. TechRadar praised wizard customization, ammo types, and exploration, but felt the emphasis on crafting detracted from combat, and noted maps could be too large with frustrating game balance. Shacknews called it a competent shooter with potential, criticizing controls, lore presentation, and a barren endgame. Hardcore Gamer felt the time limits undermined its potential as a survival game by cutting down resource gathering and exploration, but praised twin-stick combat, exploration, and customization as making for an awesome journey. The game's legacy includes its post-launch update adding four-player co-op and the subsequent closure of its developer.

Did You Know?

• Wizard with a Gun was released on October 17, 2023.
• The game's Better Together update, released May 13, 2024, added four-player co-op and customizable difficulty.