When I first heard the title Wizard with a Gun, I laughed. I mean, a wizard… with a literal gun? It sounded like one of those quirky indie ideas that either ends up being brilliant or just plain weird. Published by Devolver Digital (the same folks behind Enter the Gungeon and Cult of the Lamb), this game promised something unique: a twin-stick shooter blended with sandbox survival mechanics. That’s not a combination you see every day.
After spending several hours experimenting with spell bullets, crafting weird arcane ammunition, and running from chaotic storms that reset the world, I can confidently say this: Wizard with a Gun is fun, frustrating, and fascinating all at once.
In this review, I’ll break down everything I loved (and sometimes disliked) about the game—from its magical gunplay to its survival crafting loop, the co-op experience, and where it stands compared to other indie roguelike-survival titles. I’ll also answer common player questions at the end and share some tips if you’re thinking about picking it up.
How to Play and Survive in Wizard with a Gun
This section is both a review and a how-to guide for new players. If you’re wondering how the game actually works, let’s break it down.
Step 1: Understand the Core Gameplay Loop
At its heart, Wizard with a Gun is a twin-stick survival adventure. You play as a cloaked wizard armed with customizable guns—yes, plural—and every bullet you fire can be infused with elemental magic. Instead of a static world, you explore a realm torn apart by chaos storms. Each run gives you limited time to scavenge resources before reality collapses.
Think of it as a mashup between Don’t Starve (crafting/survival) and Enter the Gungeon (bullet-hell combat), with a sprinkle of Hades-like roguelike progression.
Step 2: Learn Crafting (It’s More Than Just Bullets)
Crafting is the backbone of survival. You’ll gather wood, stone, and arcane shards to build:
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Spell bullets – elemental rounds like fire, ice, lightning, or poison.
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Weapons – revolvers, rifles, and eventually stranger magical guns.
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Structures – crafting benches, storage units, and teleporters.
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Outfits – robes and cloaks that offer stat buffs.
Here’s the unique twist: bullets aren’t just ammo. They’re mini-spells in a cartridge. Load fire bullets and suddenly your revolver becomes a flamethrower. Switch to frost bullets and you’re freezing enemies mid-fight. The creativity here is wild.
Step 3: Manage the Chaos Storms
Every expedition has a ticking clock. Once the storm starts rolling in, you either teleport back to safety or risk losing everything. This mechanic adds urgency and prevents endless grinding. At first, I hated the pressure—but eventually, it became addictive. The storm creates a natural roguelike reset loop, forcing you to prioritize what to grab.
Step 4: Explore and Experiment
One of the joys of Wizard with a Gun is experimenting. Shoot lightning bullets into water? You’ll shock multiple enemies. Combine ice and fire? You might end up with steam explosions. The game rewards curiosity with delightful chaos.
And if you’re playing co-op (which I highly recommend), these interactions become even more entertaining. My friend froze a mob of enemies, and I followed up with explosive rounds—instant fireworks show.
Deep Dive: Strengths and Weaknesses
Now that you know the basics, let’s dive into what works well and where the game stumbles.
Strengths
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Unique Concept – Magic + guns + survival crafting is a fresh combo.
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Art Style – Cartoonish but dark, like Don’t Starve meets a western comic.
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Replayability – Procedural worlds and crafting variety keep it from getting stale.
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Co-op Fun – Playing with a friend doubles the chaos (in a good way).
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Creative Combat – Spell-bullet crafting makes every fight different.
Weaknesses
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Steep Learning Curve – The game doesn’t explain much, and new players may feel lost.
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Repetition – Runs can start to feel similar once you’ve crafted most items.
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Single-Player Frustration – The storm timer feels harsher when you’re alone.
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UI Clunkiness – Crafting menus could use polish.
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Comparisons to Similar Games
If you’re on the fence, here’s where Wizard with a Gun fits in the gaming ecosystem:
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Compared to Don’t Starve: less emphasis on hunger/survival meters, more on combat.
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Compared to Enter the Gungeon: fewer guns overall, but more creative ammo customization.
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Compared to Hades: similar roguelike progression, but less narrative depth.
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Compared to Minecraft: crafting exists, but it’s not nearly as freeform.
So if you enjoy crafting survival games with quirky combat mechanics, this one will likely hit the sweet spot.
Questions & Answers
1. Is Wizard with a Gun single-player or multiplayer?
Both. You can play solo, but the game really shines in two-player online co-op.
2. How long does a typical run last?
Usually between 10–20 minutes, depending on how long you can stay out before the chaos storm swallows the map.
3. Does it have a story?
Yes, but it’s light. The lore is mostly environmental, and the narrative takes a backseat to the gameplay loop.
4. Is it beginner-friendly?
Not really. The game has a steep learning curve. If you’re not familiar with roguelikes or crafting survival games, expect some trial and error.
5. Can you upgrade your guns permanently?
Yes. As you progress, you unlock permanent upgrades for weapons, outfits, and crafting recipes.
6. Is it worth buying on console or PC?
I played it on PC (Steam), and performance was smooth. From what I’ve read, console ports (Xbox, PlayStation) run well too, though menus can feel clunky with a controller.
7. Is it like Enter the Gungeon?
Sort of. The shooting feels similar, but Wizard with a Gun leans heavier into survival and crafting rather than pure bullet-hell.
Conclusion
Wizard with a Gun review is one of those indie titles that feels like a gamble—and for me, it paid off. It’s chaotic, creative, and deeply replayable, especially if you’ve got a friend to share the madness with. The combination of survival crafting and magical gun combat makes it stand out in a sea of roguelike-adventure games.
Is it perfect? No. The storm timer can be punishing, the UI clunky, and the repetition sets in faster than I’d like. But when it works—and it often does—it delivers moments of absolute joy. Like the time I froze a horde of enemies, then accidentally set the entire forest on fire with explosive rounds. Oops.
If you love indie survival adventures, if you want something more creative than yet another Minecraft clone, and if the idea of being a gun-toting wizard makes you grin, then this game deserves a spot in your library.
