Side Effects

Side Effects is a two-player experimental strategy game where uncertainty is the central mechanic. Set inside a sterile testing environment, players face a repeating cycle of turns in which they choose whether or not to ingest mysterious pills. Each pill holds unknown effects that may help or harm, and the true danger lies in not knowing what comes next. There are no clear instructions, no guidance—just escalating tension and irreversible choices.

A Game Of Controlled Uncertainty

Every pill taken in Side Effects contributes to a rising internal risk. With each turn, players must decide between consuming a capsule, using an item, or doing nothing at all. Pills are randomly assigned properties, and their effects often unfold over time, making it hard to judge whether a decision was good until it’s too late. Managing a tolerance meter becomes crucial, as the accumulation of unknown substances increases the odds of collapse.

Limited Tools, Infinite Outcomes

Despite its minimal interface, the game creates a wide range of scenarios through its randomized mechanics. There’s no learning curve in terms of controls, but the strategic depth comes from reading the situation and anticipating the opponent’s behavior. It becomes less about winning quickly and more about lasting longer—observing, adapting, and choosing the right moment to act or withdraw.

The experience includes:

•         Random pill effects that change each match
•         A turn-based structure focused on risk calculation
•         A tolerance system that punishes overconfidence
•         Items that may help stabilize or confuse the round
•         A clean aesthetic that centers focus on decision-making

Psychological Space Over Visual Action

What sets Side Effects apart is how it builds suspense through stillness. There are no dramatic animations or explosions—just silence, blinking lights, and two figures locked in silent conflict. The game creates atmosphere through rhythm, hesitation, and repetition. Every new decision is made in the shadow of the last one, and every survival feels temporary.

Side Effects doesn’t reward speed or aggression. It values restraint, observation, and the ability to navigate chaos with limited knowledge. The game leaves players with the sense that they are not in full control—that the environment is watching as much as they are playing. With each restart, the question remains the same: how many pills can you take before the side effects begin to change more than just the outcome?