Shoulders of Giants, from Moving Pieces Interactive, is a sci-fi action roguelike that tasks players with restoring fractured worlds through fast-paced combat. The game delivers shoot-and-slash runs and supports solo or cooperative sessions across randomized biomes. Players pursue loot and class-based progression while experimenting with abilities and gear. It targets fans of cooperative action and loot-driven roguelikes who enjoy short, replayable runs with a strong visual identity. Quick runs suit players with limited play sessions and encourage repeated experimentation.

What kind of game is Shoulders?

At its core, Shoulders is an action roguelike built around a single, eccentric unit: a sword-wielding robot paired with a sharpshooting space frog. In play you control both characters as a single unit, combining close-range melee and ranged fire to clear procedural arenas while pushing back the corrupting force called Entropy. Encounters focus on fast decisions, equipment swaps, and adapting builds between runs to survive escalating alien threats.

Does it have a multiplayer mode?

The game supports several cooperation setups, including four-player online co-op and shared-control options. Best Friend Mode is a highlighted feature that lets two players split input for one robot/frog duo, while solo players control both characters themselves. Typical session types include quick cooperative runs and longer attempts to farm stronger loot or test unlockable classes and skill-tree synergies.

What does the game look and sound like?

Visuals are a clear selling point: the title uses a high-contrast, colorful sci-fi palette that the studio calls striking, and an "Ultimate" update moved the project to Unreal Engine 5 to improve visuals and performance. Character design leans quirky, populated by allies and NPCs such as a psychic owl and a cyborg panda blacksmith, which gives the world a playful, cartoonish personality that contrasts with the action-heavy combat.

Is it hard to get started?

Onboarding mixes approachable runs with depth. Randomized levels and an extensive loot system mean early runs teach core loops quickly, while unlockable classes and skill trees supply longer-term goals. Critics praised the progression hooks; user reports note repetitive mission types and some technical stability issues in earlier versions, factors that influence how long players may stay engaged during extended sessions.

An inviting pick for cooperative players who enjoy quick, replayable runs

Shoulders of Giants is a vibrant choice for players who enjoy social, loot-driven action and experimentation in short sessions. The studio’s playful tone and varied builds reward repeated runs, though mission repetition and past stability concerns temper long-term grind for some players. It suits groups seeking lively, pick-up-and-play co-op with room to tinker and refine character loadouts over time.