Duck Your Friends is a PC party shooter that pits two teams against each other in an asymmetric contest of marksmanship and evasion. Up to eight players join online sessions where roles switch each round, keeping every match fresh and unpredictable. The core loop revolves around one group defending from an elevated position while the other group attempts to cross a dangerous path below.
Gameplay
Shooters view the action in first person from a high deck and must eliminate runners before they reach safety. They hold a charged shot that punches through cover and hits multiple targets in a line. Duckers operate in third person, moving through a gauntlet with limited stamina for sprinting. They crawl behind obstacles, shove opponents aside, and even carry teammates forward or toss them for disruption. Any shooter who drops into the run has twenty seconds to clear the field or switch sides themselves. The rotation ensures no one stays on the same team indefinitely, which forces constant adaptation to both perspectives.
Twelve characters each bring two unique abilities. Runners might deploy a shield to block incoming fire or trigger a time warp for repositioning. Shooters can fire ricocheting bolts or blink across distances. These tools layer strategy onto the basic run-and-gun tension without overwhelming the casual pace. Movement speed, shot travel time, and ability availability remain adjustable in the lobby, allowing groups to tune matches from chaotic free-for-alls to more deliberate tactical exchanges.
Game Modes
Classic mode sends duckers through the gauntlet toward the haven while shooters try to stop them. Escape flips the starting positions so duckers begin directly beneath the deck and must break through a distant gate. Time Points awards points for each elimination and extra credit for reaching the haven, with the first to arrive claiming a shooter seat for the next round. Teams mode lets friends coordinate against another squad. All vs All turns the map into an arena free-for-all filled with constant role swaps and friendly fire opportunities.
Infection can activate in Classic or Escape. Any ducker eliminated joins the shooters on the deck, gradually shifting the balance until only a few remain on the run. This creates escalating pressure that rewards quick coordination and aggressive plays.
Characters and Abilities
Each of the twelve characters offers distinct playstyles through paired abilities. One ability supports movement and survival on the run, while the other aids offense or defense from the deck. Examples include raising barriers, launching projectiles that bounce off walls, or creating temporary speed boosts. Players experiment across sessions to discover combinations that suit aggressive rushes or defensive holds. The variety encourages repeated play as groups learn counters and synergies.
Customization and Features
Lobbies support public browsing or direct friend invites. Hosts control round length, projectile speed from slow dodgeable shots to instant hits, overall movement pace, and toggles for sprinting, abilities, and an aim laser. Full controller support extends accessibility. After matches, an emote wheel lets players gesture mid-game, followed by a podium ceremony that hands out performance awards. Steam Workshop integration adds community maps beyond the seven official ones, while achievements and cloud saves track progress across sessions.
Carry, shove, and throw mechanics add physical comedy and teamwork layers. Teammates can lift fallen players to safety or hurl them into hazards for laughs. These interactions turn tense runs into memorable group moments without derailing the objective.
Is It Worth Playing?
Duck Your Friends suits groups seeking short, repeatable sessions with clear asymmetry and rotating roles. The 2-to-8 player scale works well for small friend circles or larger parties, and the configurable rules let hosts match the intensity to their audience. Players who enjoy mixing first-person aiming with third-person movement will find the perspective shifts engaging. Those who prefer consistent team structures or single-player campaigns may want to look elsewhere, as the experience centers entirely on online multiplayer chaos. The built-in variety of modes, abilities, and maps supports ongoing sessions without requiring additional purchases. For casual gatherings that value quick setup and emergent humor from shoving or carrying teammates, the game delivers consistent entertainment through its focused design.
