Rubber Ducky and the Rainbow Gun

Overview
Rubber Ducky and the Rainbow Gun is a side-scrolling puzzle-adventure game developed by Ducky Dev Games. It features a delightfully simple yet charming art style. The screen is fixed, and you are the one who moves, dodging enemies, shooting them, or completing the challenge of each level. Despite being a short game, it demands precise skill to progress. Sometimes, you even need to complete levels without taking a single hit—a perfect run—before moving on.

Technical Notes on Steam Deck
Before diving further, I should mention that I played this on a Steam Deck. Initially, I thought it was impossible to run because Steam kept showing the download as zero bytes. This seemed like a bug: the Linux version, which Steam Deck uses, appears to have an issue. To fix it, go into the game’s Steam options and enable the Proton compatibility tool. I chose Proton Experimental, which effectively lets you play the Windows version adapted for Steam Deck. The game runs perfectly, with no control issues. Thanks to Steam Deck’s flexibility, you can also remap controls to your liking. Aside from activating Proton, I encountered no problems while playing.

Gameplay and Mechanics
You can customize your character with various unlockable skins, easily obtained with coins dropped by enemies. Collecting them is simple: enemies drop plenty of coins, and you can replay levels to farm coins or improve your score. Ideally, you aim for the red tick, which signifies completing the level without taking any damage.

Despite its seemingly simplistic style—almost entirely composed of squares—the game is undeniably charming. Enemies are clearly visible, and the challenge lies in your reflexes and coordination: defeating them before they touch you or dodging them by moving carefully or jumping. Unlike Mario-style games, touching an enemy, even by landing on top of them, harms you: the enemy dies, but you take a hit that reduces your level performance meter.

Difficulty and Weapons
Completing each level without damage is demanding. Levels are short, but some are tricky, and among the weapons you unlock, some can even hurt you with their explosions. Familiarizing yourself with each weapon is essential. The developer includes comments before each level, offering tips, explaining the protagonist’s situation, and even breaking the fourth wall to share insights into the game’s development.

Exploration and Secrets
The experience is interactive and lightly humorous, making it fun and suitable for players of all ages. Levels hide secrets, and achievements encourage exploration if you’re a completionist, though some trophies are particularly demanding, requiring precise actions. Progression is quick but requires alertness, as some levels, while fair, are tricky if taken lightly. The simple, colorful, blocky graphics conceal surprising depth.

Tips and Tricks
Your rainbow gun isn’t just a weapon—it’s a tool. Each ability suits specific challenges, so shooting indiscriminately is rarely a good idea. Precision is rewarded. A neat trick: crouching while moving sideways lets you move faster than normal, which is handy for dodging obstacles or enemies not at ground level.

Final Thoughts
Overall, Rubber Ducky and the Rainbow Gun is an engaging and enjoyable experience. Its simplicity masks layers of complexity, especially if you aim for perfect runs or collecting all red ticks. It’s one of those games that are easy to pick up but hard to master. The music complements the action perfectly, enhancing the fun without distracting. If you enjoy simple yet rewarding games with a challenge, and like striving for completion, this game comes highly recommended.