Screencheat

Back in the early (19)90s, in the now non-existent era of LAN (local area network) gaming, people packed up their computer, took it to their friends' house and played multiplayer (mostly) first-person shooter games together. This had a very simple reason: internet was VERY expensive, but at least slow :) Playing in such networks provided great speed without additional costs and had another advantage: one could take a peek at the other screen, roughly estimating where that player was. And this is exactly what [i]Screencheat[/i] is all about with a twist: since players are invisible, we have to take a look at the other 'screen' - in split screen form - in order to have any idea where our opponents are, so we can kill them. In fact we'll probably spend more time gazing at the other 'screens' than at our own. Of course we can also fire randomly - hoping to hit someone - but our weapons create different visual effects - giving our position away. Maps are vividly coloured with easily identifiable spots, so we can better guess where our opponents are and blast them away - or at least try. There are 10 of them and despite being small they build on height, so there are a lot of stairs and plenty of propelling devices which we can use to jump high. There's no fall damage, so we don't have to worry about that, but we can land outside the game area which results in a lost point/death. Unfortunately some of the maps look rather similar and are hard to distinguish from the others (these tend to be rather small thus feel crowded as well). The Garden was a letdown for example, as I was expecting a hedge maze of sorts and instead got a tiny straightforward map, where fighting was insanely chaotic. There are also 10 weapons to choose from (at the start or at respawning) and they are all fairly unique - and almost equally usable. Since there's no health, all weapons are '1 shot kill' types. What they differ in are fire effect, spread, range and reload speed. They are also the weirdest weapons even seen in a first-person shooter and by weird I mean in a funny way: the HobbyHorse for example is the well-known child's toy horse, with which we can run over enemies in a straight line after charged up and it's also great to move fast and dodge enemies' attacks... however it's also very visible, leaving a trail of fire (this doesn't do damage) behind us + we can also fall into our doom on most of the maps by using it mindlessly. The wall_Hacker is also a weapon that does what its name suggests - it can fire through walls and despite its fairly long recharge time it can be a dangerous tool in the hands of an expert. For those who wish to use a traditional and somewhat more reliable gun, the Blunderbuss is the ideal choice, which is basically a shotgun (again - even a single pellet can kill our opponent, although obviously the further they are, the less chance we have to hit them). Most game modes are derived from other multiplayer FPSs with slight alterations: - My First Deathmatch - free-for-all where the 1st player who kills 5x wins - Capture The Fun - kill the player who carries a unicorn-like thingie, we get a point for every second while holding onto it - Hillcampers - a specific area must be defended from other players, we get a point for every second while no one else is within the area, it moves from time to time to a different part of the map - Murder Mystery - kill a specific player with a specific weapon, other kills don't count There's also a mode called "One Shot" which makes recharge/reload times slower, "Juggernaut" which is another take on capture-the-flag, "Elimination" with no respawns/last-man-standing and "Party Mode" which just randomly changes the game mode after each match. Unfortunately when I played it (4 years after its release), barely any people were available to play with and I guess the situation got worse ever since. We can play against bots but it's obviously not as much fun, not to mention the point of the game is lost this way :/ Despite the simple, but colourful and functional graphics some levels look way better than the others like the Arabian themed 'Emir' or the oriental styled 'Temple' (and they add more variety in gameplay than the simpler ones as well). There's a crazy exaggerated ragdoll effect (players/corpses become visible when killed) which I liked, I mean there are many, serious games where it's done similarly (badly), here it fits the goofy atmosphere of the game. And we also don't see our own hands like in 'VR' games :) Sounds are below average which one could say is intentional: mostly pew-pew weapon sounds and amateurish announcer yellings (they are quite funny though as are the various messages we receive after a kill). The music is also something what could be expected - dull, but still slightly annoying. While unique with its refreshing formula and initially entertaining due to the large variety of game modes, once the uniqueness fades the game fails to impress and becomes less enjoyable. Again I would blame this on the majority of the maps, which look and feel just too similar. Despite this, it's still worth checking it out, as it represents a truly unique take on the multiplayer FPS genre. PROS + unique idea, requires different thinking (and point of view) + plenty of crazy weapons + lots of game modes... CONS - ...but can still get boring relatively fast due to the similar maps - some of the game modes are practically the same - way to simplistic sounds RATING 5.5/10

type of game that you play with your friends once when the stars align and never again, game gets boring incredibly quick , sure there might be a lot of different game mods but they get boring after a minute , like i have said you play this game with your friend once and probably never again, even on sale i wouldn't recommend it. 3/10

Screencheat, developed and published by Samurai Punk, is one of those rare indie titles that takes a simple idea and turns it into something entirely unique within the first-person shooter genre. Its premise is delightfully absurd yet brilliantly nostalgic: every player is invisible, and the only way to track down your opponents is by “screen cheating”—the once-forbidden act of peeking at your friends’ screens to see where they are. What was once a form of multiplayer misconduct has been transformed into the central mechanic, reinventing the way players think about spatial awareness, perception, and fair play. The result is a game that feels both familiar and refreshingly original, reviving the energy of old couch multiplayer games while twisting it into something new and unpredictable. At its core, Screencheat is a fast-paced arena shooter where matches are defined not by reflexes alone, but by observation and deduction. Since opponents are invisible, the only clues to their location come from their movement across the color-coded arenas displayed on their own screens. Each map is divided into bold, distinct colors and memorable landmarks, designed specifically to help players identify where someone else might be. Players are forced to juggle two streams of information simultaneously—what they’re doing and what their opponents are doing—and this dual focus creates a frantic, almost puzzle-like rhythm to each match. Unlike traditional shooters that rely on pinpoint aiming and map control, Screencheat’s challenge lies in reading the environment, interpreting visual cues, and acting faster than the other player who’s also watching you. The weapon selection further contributes to the game’s chaotic charm. Every weapon is an instant-kill, so a single well-placed shot can end a round instantly. Each has a distinct feel and visual signature, making it easier to track where shots are coming from and harder to stay undetected. The Blunderbuss, for instance, fires wide and loud but reveals your position, while the Hobby Horse propels players across the map in bursts of manic speed. These eccentric tools of destruction keep the tone lighthearted even when the competition turns fierce. The developers also introduced a number of different game modes to add variety, from classic deathmatch and king-of-the-hill setups to more unconventional challenges like Murder Mystery, which assigns players specific targets and weapon requirements. Every mode plays into the game’s sense of unpredictability, ensuring that no two matches feel quite the same. Visually, Screencheat embraces a bright and abstract art style that perfectly complements its gameplay. Each map is deliberately built with strong contrasts, making use of color coding, shape variety, and clear architecture so players can identify locations even when focusing on multiple screens. The levels themselves range from cozy mansions and museums to outlandish floating arenas, all designed with readability and movement in mind. The game’s cartoony tone extends to its sound design as well: weapon effects are exaggerated, announcer quips add to the humor, and the upbeat soundtrack matches the frantic pace of the gameplay. There’s a deliberate lightness to the presentation that reinforces the idea that Screencheat is meant to be playful first and competitive second, a party experience as much as a test of skill. What truly sets the game apart, however, is how it captures the essence of local multiplayer from the late 1990s and early 2000s. Screencheat thrives when played with friends in the same room, with everyone shouting, laughing, and scrambling to figure out where their opponents are hiding. It’s a throwback to the split-screen era of GoldenEye and Halo, when part of the fun came from peeking over at another player’s quadrant to get the upper hand. Samurai Punk’s genius lies in embracing that behavior and designing an entire experience around it. The sense of shared chaos and physical presence adds an element that online multiplayer can rarely replicate. While the game does support online play, its magic is most potent in local sessions, where reactions and rivalries feel immediate and personal. Despite its brilliance, Screencheat’s narrow focus also limits its longevity. Because the central mechanic remains the same throughout, extended play sessions can start to feel repetitive once the novelty wears off. Without a progression system or deeper customization options, players mainly rely on the variety of maps and modes to keep the game fresh. The single-player component, which allows practice against bots, offers limited satisfaction since the core joy comes from human unpredictability and laughter. It’s a game that thrives on social interaction, and while it works as a party centerpiece, it lacks the depth to hold solo players for long stretches. Still, the simplicity of its design is part of its charm, and its value lies in short, memorable bursts of chaotic fun rather than long-term commitment. Technically, the game runs smoothly across platforms, with responsive controls and clean optimization even on modest hardware. The minimalist art direction helps maintain steady performance, and the intuitive user interface ensures that players can jump straight into matches without friction. Its simplicity is intentional—there’s no clutter or overcomplication to distract from the action. The overall polish, combined with the smartly designed arenas, makes the game easy to learn but surprisingly tricky to master. The sense of flow it achieves when players are simultaneously moving, observing, and reacting creates a level of engagement few party shooters manage to capture. In the end, Screencheat stands as one of the most creative twists on the multiplayer shooter formula in years. It turns a forbidden practice into a legitimate and essential skill, encouraging players to think differently and engage more actively with their environment. Its humor, visual style, and accessibility make it perfect for casual gatherings, while its mechanics reward quick thinking and situational awareness. Though its appeal may fade for those looking for long-term depth or progression, it remains an excellent example of how innovation can emerge from simplicity. Samurai Punk succeeded in creating a game that is both nostalgic and novel, one that reminds players why shared-screen experiences remain some of the most fun gaming moments ever created. Rating: 8/10

My kids absolutely love this game and prefer it to more straightforward 4-player splitscreen games because it's so crazy. It's a wonderful couch multiplayer game that encourages everyone to look at the other players' screens, and while that can be a bit mentally taxing, the gameplay is so much fun it's worth the effort!

great fun to play once or twice with a friend

Screencheat a marqué une partie de mon enfance, j'y jouais avec mon frère à l'époque. La direction artistique est soignée et les graphismes restent plaisants pour un jeu sorti en 2014. Quant au concept, c'est là que le jeu se démarque vraiment (fps où l'unique moyen de toucher ses ennemis et de regarder l'écran de son adversaire) : un grand bravo aux développeurs ! Je n'avais jamais vu un tel gameplay auparavant. Un remaster enrichi en contenu sur PC serait parfait. Je lui attribue la note de 7,5/10.

Very fun game to play with my friends a

in the local coop sessions i run for kids who dont have games, two kids started scuffling cos they accused eachother of screencheating. i was laughing too hard to prevent my laptop being toppled in the ruckus. way more than 0.3 hours played, and personally i cant be -cked playing this myself, but its a sincerely good party game

Stop looking at my screen scrub before i drop this box tv on your forehead. cheater!

ive been practicing for this my whole life