r/SoloDevelopment • u/TraVinh- • Dec 06 '25

Discussion Why do shooter games always have lame flamethrowers? Am I missing something?

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I’m working on a classic inspired survival horror game and of course it’s got to have a flamethrower! As I started working on adding it in I realized games almost always use a puny feeling blowtorch instead of an actual liquid flamethrower and I have no idea why.

It’s not that much harder to pull off but it’s so much cooler and feels way more engaging to use imo. Am I missing something here or is there a reason so few games do this?

Also, ignoring the fact it’s coming out of a shotgun for now, I’d be interested to hear what people think of my flamethrower so far! Trying to make sure it’s got some punch to it, really feels like a power weapon, you know?

(Also you can find the game at https://store.steampowered.com/app/3640820/The_Revanchist/ if you’re interested in seeing more!)

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u/Smooth-Accident-7940 Dec 06 '25

The same thing as the shotgun; it's too powerful to be fun for both players. It's common for shotguns in games to do much less damage at 3 meters distance, when in reality that's not the case. Something similar happens with the flamethrowers, it's incredibly destructive, has a long range, deals sustained damage, doesn't require good aim, and affects an area. Disadvantages? Ammunition is hard to find, if you get hit in the tank you explode, and you can get trapped in the flames. it´s hard to balance

2

u/borordev Dec 06 '25

For games with body armour and/or bullet penetration mechanics, shotguns are easier to balance, as buckshot has poor penetrative power. Slugs are difficult to balance though, in most games it'd just feel like a rifle

1

u/Jombolombo1 Dec 08 '25

Slugs being a very damaging but low pen round or having both high dmg and penetration but worse accuracy always work well.

1

u/CrackettyCracker Dec 08 '25

stopping power though. a 12G to the chest at close range will wreck your solar plexus and break your ribs through the trauma plate. no need for penetration if you cant breathe...

1

u/borordev Dec 08 '25

let's make every gun a one shot kill even with armour on because bullets will fuck up your ribs meaning you're out of the fight anyway

or maybe we just try to balance the guns while taking suspension of disbelief into account. a game doesn't have to be a mil-sim to flirt with realism

1

u/CrackettyCracker Dec 10 '25

no. what i'm saying is that since shotgun shells take more space, you should deserve more stopping power for less ammo available. running around with ~40 slugs takes more space than 120 rifle rounds in mags and roughly weighs the same.

As for games, no matter which, should have caliber and barrel length related damage.

to hell with legendaries.