You’ve probably seen the clip. A fuzzy, wide-eyed rodent—the kind you’d usually see burying an acorn in your flowerbed—suddenly whips out a submachine gun. It’s jarring. It’s hilarious. Honestly, it’s exactly why Squirrel with a Gun became a viral sensation long before it even hit Steam or consoles. Developed by Dan DeEntremont, this game isn't trying to be the next The Last of Us or a deep philosophical meditation on nature. It is a game about a squirrel. With a gun. And it knows exactly how ridiculous that is.
What is Squirrel with a Gun anyway?
At its core, the game is a sandbox exploration title built in Unreal Engine 5. You play as a squirrel who stumbles upon a secret underground facility, steals a high-tech weapon, and then proceeds to wreak havoc on a suburban neighborhood. It’s often compared to Goat Simulator, but that feels like a bit of a disservice to what DeEntremont has actually built here.
While Goat Simulator leaned heavily into "jank" and physics bugs for its comedy, Squirrel with a Gun actually has some surprisingly tight mechanics. The gun isn't just for shooting "Agents"—the suit-wearing Men in Black types who chase you around. The recoil is a movement mechanic. If you’re mid-air and fire a shotgun downward, the kickback launches you higher. It transforms a basic shooter into a puzzle-platformer where your ammunition is also your propulsion.
The Viral Logic of "The Squirrel"
The internet loves contrast. There’s something inherently funny about the juxtaposition of "precious backyard animal" and "firearms enthusiast." DeEntremont originally shared clips of the project on X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit, where the physics-based animations immediately caught fire. Watching a squirrel use the recoil of a desert eagle to backflip onto a backyard fence is the kind of visual gag that doesn't need a punchline. It is the punchline.
But why does it work?
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Most AAA games take themselves so seriously now. We have gritty reboots and 100-hour epics. Sometimes, people just want to put on a tiny cowboy hat and mug a neighborhood resident for their golden acorn. The game taps into that chaotic "intrusive thought" energy. You aren't just a squirrel; you're a menace. You can help the humans, or you can take their phones and run away. It’s a low-stakes power trip that feels refreshing in a market saturated with "Prestige TV" style gaming.
Breaking Down the Gameplay Loops
Don't go into this expecting a linear narrative. The game is structured around "Golden Acorns." These are your primary collectibles, tucked away in hard-to-reach places or given as rewards for completing specific challenges. One minute you might be navigating a series of floating platforms using your Uzi as a jetpack; the next, you’re solving a logic puzzle to get inside a locked garage.
Combat and Weapons
The arsenal is surprisingly varied. You start with a simple pistol, but eventually, you’re rocking:
- Submachine guns (high fire rate, great for horizontal movement)
- Shotguns (massive kickback, perfect for verticality)
- Sniper rifles (because why not?)
- Grenade launchers
The "Agents" you fight are mostly fodder, but they serve a purpose. They give you something to test your recoil-based combat on. Plus, the finishing moves are absurd. If you climb on an agent, you can trigger a cinematic takedown where the squirrel performs a John Wick-style execution. It’s morbidly funny because the squirrel remains expressionless the whole time. Just a rodent doing its job.
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Customization and Cosmetics
You can find outfits. Want to be a squirrel dressed as a maid? Go for it. A ninja? Sure. These aren't just for looks, though. Some items have actual utility, helping you navigate the world or interact with NPCs in different ways. The neighborhood itself is a dense little playground filled with secrets, from RC cars you can drive to grills you can blow up.
The Technical Side: Unreal Engine 5
It’s easy to overlook the tech here because the premise is so goofy. However, Squirrel with a Gun is a legitimate showcase for how a solo developer can use modern tools to create something that looks high-end. The fur rendering on the squirrel is genuinely impressive. The lighting in the suburban environments feels "real," which only makes the sight of a squirrel holding a Beretta more surreal.
DeEntremont, who has a background in VFX and animation, clearly put work into the weight of the objects. When the squirrel fires a gun, the entire body reacts. There’s a sense of "heft" that makes the physics puzzles feel rewarding rather than frustrating. It’s a testament to the democratization of game development; a decade ago, a game this polished looking would have required a massive team. Now, it’s one guy with a weird idea and a lot of talent.
Is it worth your time?
Look, this isn't a game for everyone. If you need a deep story or 40 hours of content, you'll be disappointed. It’s a relatively short experience. Most players will see the bulk of what the neighborhood has to offer in about 5 to 7 hours. But they will be a very concentrated 5 to 7 hours of "what am I even looking at right now?"
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The game succeeds because it doesn't overstay its welcome. It gives you a toy box, a few rules to break, and sets you loose. It’s the perfect "palette cleanser" game between larger releases.
Actionable Insights for Players
If you're jumping into the chaos, keep these things in mind to get the most out of your squirrelly rampage:
- Master the Recoil Jump Early: Don't just walk. The fastest way to get around is using the kickback from your weapons. Practice firing while jumping to reach rooftops that seem inaccessible.
- Interact With Everything: The game rewards curiosity. See a cake? Mess with it. See a radio? Turn it on. NPCs react to your actions in ways that often lead to hidden acorns.
- Check Your Outfits: Some cosmetics are hidden behind specific challenges. If you’re struggling with a platforming section, look for a costume that might give you a slight edge or change how you interact with the environment.
- Don't Forget to Reload: It sounds obvious, but your movement depends on your ammo. Running out of bullets mid-air usually results in a very long fall.
- Watch the Agent Difficulty: As you collect more acorns, the response from the "Agents" gets more intense. Keep an eye on your surroundings so you don't get swarmed while trying to solve a puzzle.
Squirrel with a Gun is a weird, loud, and incredibly fun reminder that video games are allowed to be stupid. It takes a ridiculous premise and executes it with more technical skill and heart than it probably had any right to. Whether you're in it for the memes or the physics-based platforming, it’s a sandbox worth playing in.
To get started, focus on unlocking the shotgun first. It is, without a doubt, the most versatile tool in your inventory for both combat and movement. Once you have that, the entire neighborhood opens up, and you can truly start living your best rodent-vigilante life.