Side Effects

Side Effects places players in a one-on-one setup where each move carries a cost. You control a test subject in a controlled trial, facing off against another participant in a deadly game involving pills with unknown outcomes. Each round requires a decision—whether to swallow a pill, use a tool, or wait for the other side to act first. The game’s simple layout hides a deeper strategy that becomes more important with each turn.

The gameplay is turn-based, and each pill taken affects a hidden tolerance meter. The goal is to manage your risk while slowly weakening your opponent. Some pills are harmless, while others can quickly lead to failure. Because you never know what’s coming next, careful planning and observation become essential. The match continues until one subject survives.

Choices and Items That Change the Game

Each round introduces a new combination of pills and optional items. These items can shift the balance of power or save you in a dangerous moment. Timing their use is just as important as deciding when to take the next pill.

Useful options players may encounter:

·         A magnifier to check pill types

·         A sponge to absorb and skip a pill

·         A monitor to review your health condition

·         A swap tool to switch pills with the opponent

·         A shield to block damage from a risky round

These tools offer a way to reduce uncertainty, but using them too early can leave you exposed later. Your opponent has access to similar tools, which adds pressure and unpredictability. Every turn becomes a mind game about what they might do next.

Fast Sessions With Repeat Value

Side Effects is short enough to finish in a few minutes, but the tension builds quickly. Each match starts calmly, then turns intense as players begin reacting to each other’s moves. Since the mechanics are simple and the interface is clean, you can restart right away if the outcome doesn’t go your way. The backspace key resets the match, inviting multiple rounds without delay.

Although the prototype was built in only ten days, it feels complete enough to offer variety. Every round plays out differently, depending on the pill arrangement and item timing. You learn with each session, adjusting your approach based on past losses.

A Game That Rewards Awareness

While luck plays a role, Side Effects is mostly about prediction and pressure. If you can observe your opponent’s patterns and read their timing, you can turn the match in your favor. Reacting too quickly often leads to trouble, while patient play gives you control. The minimal design keeps you focused on each decision.

This game offers something tense but manageable, with each session telling its own short story of risk and response. Whether you play once or return again and again, Side Effects stays engaging through its simplicity and the balance between fear and logic.