Ultrakill’s Bullet Parrying Glitch Is Still One of the Best Accidental Features

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Not all of the best mechanics in gaming were planned.

During a leisurely game, some items were discovered accidentally, and it wasn’t long before the developers recognized their exceptional quality, making them indispensable.

The bullet-parrying glitch in Ultrakill is a perfect example of the game’s happy accidents.

It seems unlikely that a developer would come up with the concept of making their own shotgun pellets, and it turns out that’s exactly what happened – they didn’t do it.

Initially, the game Ultrakill didn’t intend for players to block their own bullets using a parry move. However, creative players discovered an unintended loophole where they could parry by punching at the exact moment of a shotgun blast impact.

Initially, when I stumbled upon it on my own, I wondered if it was intended or a glitch – the sequence of events was so narrow that I hadn’t thought it could occur.

Audience members debated whether they should label it a malfunction or an innovative skill, but soon enough, news of it spread rapidly.

In many video games, the parrying mechanic is one of the most gratifying elements, offering a thrilling payoff for perfect timing with eye-catching retaliations. However, what truly made this feature shine was its sensation. Unlike regular parries that respond to an enemy’s strike, this one allows you to initiate and intensify your own attack.

Transforming the parry from a reflexive action into an active one is one approach. Instead of passively awaiting the opponent’s attack, you proactively convert your offensive move into a more powerful blast.

As a competent developer like any other, Arsi “Hakita” Patala first considered eliminating the bug. However, after noticing an extremely favorable response from the community, he opted against it. This flaw seamlessly complemented Ultrakill’s ethos of acknowledging creativity and skillful gameplay. The concept is straightforward yet gratifying.

Mastering the art of executing simultaneous punches and shots requires meticulous timing. I found delight in perfecting this technique by experimenting with keybindings and coordinating my punches and shooting for a faster combo. It’s incredibly gratifying, especially when taking down opponents like Malicious Faces, who are known for closing in and synchronizing their laser attacks.

Apart from merely holding onto it, Hakita perfected and transformed it into what is now recognized as projectile enhancement – more specifically, projectile boosting. This technique is closely related to the shotgun parry, but in reality, it encompasses a wider range of mechanics. By skillfully timing a melee strike, you can amplify a projectile, typically using the Feedbacker arm.

The shotgun block, specifically, is a method used for increasing the speed of projectiles, yet it’s not limited to just shotguns. Other weapons and configurations can utilize this technique effectively too. For example, rockets and nails can also be propelled faster with similar methods, but the mechanics might differ slightly depending on the weapon or setup.

During the initial gameplay, some players might overlook subtle suggestions hidden within terminals and in-game descriptions. However, since creativity is king in this game, it makes perfect sense to allow players to employ their weapons in unexpected manners.

Not every glitch is worth keeping.

Occasionally, an error aligns so seamlessly with a game’s atmosphere and rules that it seems intentionally designed into the experience.

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2025-03-21 04:42