Duck Game

Duck Game is a 2D video game that features primarily shooting and platforming mechanics. The game features a simple control scheme; beyond basic movement controls, the player can pick up or throw a weapon, use their equipped weapon, strafe (walk backwards), quack, and ragdoll.

The game is primarily played in multiplayer, with support for local or online gameplay with up to eight other players. Duck Game has a simple premise: players die in one hit, and the last player standing wins the round.

Duck Game was developed by Vancouver-based developer Landon Podbielski. Podbielski originally planned to make a 2D platformer inspired by James Pond 3. A friend suggested adding a local multiplayer mode with guns and other weapons. The game was released for the Ouya on May 13, 2014. At launch, the game only featured multiplayer; in November 2014, a single-player mode was added.

The game was released for Linux and Microsoft Windows on June 4, 2015, published by Adult Swim Games. Podbielski previously composed the music for Super Puzzle Platformer Deluxe, a game developed by his friend, Andrew Morrish and published by Adult Swim Games on May 24, 2013. The company offered to publish Duck Game if Podbielski implemented an online multiplayer mode. After struggling to develop a client-server based networking model, Adult Swim Games extended their deadline and allowed Podbielski to use a peer-to-peer system instead.

Duck Game received generally positive reviews from critics and players. The game received an average Metacritic score of 82 based on six reviews. Critics cite the multiplayer as driving the game's appeal. Reviewers likened the game to other successful 2D brawlers, including Super Smash Bros.

Brawl, TowerFall, and Samurai Gunn. Otto Kratky appreciated the game's depth, praising the nuances of the game's combat and controls.