In just six days, solo developer Nolyn Vansyckle is about to release one of the most absurdly brilliant indie games of 2025. Service with a Shotgun launches on November 6 for PC via Steam, and it’s a complete genre mashup that somehow works perfectly. Imagine if you combined the storytelling of a visual novel with the chaos of a wave-based FPS, wrapped it in pitch-black humor about retail work during a zombie apocalypse, and made it actually funny and engaging. That’s Service with a Shotgun. A free demo is already live on Steam, and it’s genuinely hilarious.
Retail Hell Gets Literal
You’re running a roadside shop when the zombie apocalypse hits. The power still works somehow. The “Open” sign still flickers. And customers – desperate, quirky, absolutely unhinged customers – keep showing up wanting to buy things. Meanwhile, the undead are clawing at the windows and occasionally breaking through. Your job is to survive shifts by selling goods to eccentric survivors while defending against zombie hordes. It’s customer service, but make it apocalyptic.
The premise is so perfectly absurd that it works. Capitalism doesn’t care about zombies. The store must remain open. You must serve customers and keep them alive long enough to complete their transactions. It’s a dark satire on retail work that somehow becomes genuinely engaging gaming.
Hybrid Gameplay That Shouldn’t Work But Does
Service with a Shotgun blends two genres that seem completely incompatible: visual novel storytelling and wave-based FPS action. You’re not just shooting zombies. Between waves, you’re having conversations with wildly unpredictable characters, each with their own quirks, secrets, and bizarre requests. These conversations matter. Your choices influence how characters perceive you and what weapons become available.
But when the zombies start arriving, it’s pure chaos. You’re switching from dialogue trees to rapid-fire gunplay, managing inventory, placing defenses, and keeping the storefront from being overrun. The tonal whiplash should be jarring, but instead it’s brilliant. The game uses it intentionally, creating tension through rapid context switching.
A Cast Of Completely Unhinged Characters
Service with a Shotgun features over 10 unique customer characters, and they’re all absolutely deranged in the best way. Regular survivors with practical requests. Hoarders loading up on supplies. Eccentric weirdos looking for specific items for dubious reasons. Each character has personality quirks that make them memorable. You want to serve them not because you’re contractually obligated, but because learning about them is genuinely interesting.
The writing is sharp and funny. These aren’t one-note NPCs delivering exposition. They’re actual characters with motivations, secrets, and arcs that develop across the game’s five chapters. The dark humor never stops. The apocalypse is happening, but somehow a guy still wants a specific type of snack, and the fact that you can fulfill that request during a zombie invasion is endlessly entertaining.
Five Chapters Of Escalating Chaos
Service with a Shotgun is structured as five shifts at the shop, each one more chaotic than the last. New characters arrive. Wave difficulties increase. Unexpected twists emerge. By the final chapter, the madness has reached absolutely absurd levels. Without spoiling anything, suffice it to say that Vansyckle goes all-in on the absurdity. This isn’t a game that takes itself seriously, and that’s its greatest strength.
The demo covers the first chapter and gives you a solid taste of what’s coming. It’s enough to understand the gameplay loop and the humor style. If you laugh during the demo, you’re going to love the full game. If the premise doesn’t grab you, the full release won’t change your mind. But for people who appreciate weird, bold indie games with personality, Service with a Shotgun is calling your name.
Solo Dev Energy
What’s particularly impressive about Service with a Shotgun is that Nolyn Vansyckle created this entire game solo. The game’s artistic direction is distinctive. The writing is sharp and consistent. The gameplay loop is solid. This isn’t a passion project that feels unfinished. This is a complete, polished game created by one person with a clear vision. That’s increasingly rare in indie development, and it should be celebrated.
Publisher Silver Lining Interactive is bringing it to market, handling logistics and distribution. But the creative vision is entirely Vansyckle’s. This is what solo indie development looks like when someone has both technical skill and creative confidence.
Play The Demo Right Now
If you’re on the fence, download the free demo on Steam today. You get an entire chapter that showcases the gameplay loop, introduces the humor, and proves the concept works. It’s a generous demo that lets you make an informed decision. Most indie devs would charge for what Vansyckle is giving away for free. That kind of confidence in your own game is encouraging.
Why This Matters
Service with a Shotgun matters because it proves that the best indie games come from people with genuine creative vision willing to take risks. There’s no way a AAA publisher would greenlight a game mixing visual novels and wave shooters with retail apocalypse satire. But an indie developer with zero corporate oversight? Absolutely. This is the freedom that independent development provides, and it produces genuinely innovative experiences.
FAQs
When does Service with a Shotgun release?
Service with a Shotgun launches on November 6, 2025 for PC via Steam.
How much will the game cost?
Pricing hasn’t been officially announced yet, but indie games of this scope typically range from $15-25. Check the Steam page on November 6 for exact pricing.
Is there a demo I can play now?
Yes, a free demo is available on Steam right now. It includes the first complete chapter and gives you a solid taste of the gameplay and humor.
Who developed Service with a Shotgun?
Solo developer Nolyn Vansyckle created the entire game independently. It’s published by Silver Lining Interactive.
What genre is Service with a Shotgun?
It’s a hybrid visual novel/wave-based FPS. Think of it as storytelling mixed with arcade shooter gameplay, all wrapped in dark apocalyptic humor.
How long is the game?
The game features five story-driven chapters. Exact playtime hasn’t been announced, but based on the demo content, expect several hours of gameplay.
Is the game story-driven or gameplay-driven?
It’s both equally. The story unfolds through character interactions and dialogue, but the gameplay is integral to the experience. You can’t separate them.
Will there be DLC or post-launch content?
Nothing has been announced regarding post-launch content. The current plan appears to be the complete five-chapter game at launch.
Conclusion
Service with a Shotgun launches November 6, 2025, and it’s one of the most unexpectedly brilliant indie games coming to PC. A solo developer combined visual novel storytelling with wave-shooter chaos and wrapped it in pitch-black retail apocalypse humor to create something genuinely unique. The demo is already available and proves the concept works perfectly. This is exactly the kind of creative risk-taking that makes independent game development special. If you appreciate weird, bold games with personality and humor, Service with a Shotgun is an absolute must-play. Download the demo today. You’ll understand immediately why you need to experience this game.