PGC NEWS

Death Squared, developed by the independent Australian studio SMG Studio, marks a significant departure from their previous mobile-focused titles. This puzzle game, available on Nintendo Switch, PC, Xbox One, and PS4, challenges players with increasingly complex conundrums that demand both logic and dexterity. Does this change in direction signal a successful evolution for the studio?

Brain-Burning Puzzles Wrapped in a Delightful Package

Death Squared’s core gameplay is deceptively simple: guide two robots, one blue and one red, to their respective colored goals. The challenge arises from the precarious, block-based environments and the myriad obstacles that litter the path. While the initial levels ease players in, the difficulty ramps up quickly, introducing deadly lasers, treacherous pits, and moving platforms.

The game meticulously tracks player deaths, a constant reminder of the trials and tribulations faced on the road to victory. Death Squared doesn’t punish failure; instead, it encourages experimentation and learning from mistakes. This iterative process of trial and error lies at the heart of the game’s appeal. The satisfaction of finally cracking a particularly challenging puzzle is immensely rewarding.

Death Squared – Gameplay

Death Squared requires not only quick reflexes but also precise coordination between the two robots. Players must strategically position the robots to overcome obstacles, using one to block lasers for the other, navigating treacherous traps, and working in tandem to activate switches. The game constantly introduces new mechanics and environmental hazards, keeping the gameplay fresh and engaging throughout its 80 challenging levels. The level design showcases SMG Studio’s ingenuity, evolving from simple vertical paths to complex, multi-layered arenas with rotating lasers and dynamic platforms.

Double the Fun, Double the Frustration

Beyond the single-player campaign, Death Squared shines in its cooperative mode, offering an additional 40 levels designed specifically for two players sharing a single console. This mode introduces two more robots, green and yellow, further amplifying the coordination challenge. Success hinges on clear communication and synchronized movements between players, transforming the puzzle-solving experience into a collaborative effort.

While the core mechanics remain consistent, the cooperative levels introduce unique twists, such as mirrored robot movements and complex laser-blocking scenarios. This isn’t simply a tacked-on extra; it’s a fully realized and thoughtfully designed component of the game, elevating the experience to a new level of chaotic fun.

Death Squared – Cooperative Gameplay

Control Issues: A Persistent Thorn

Despite its charming presentation and engaging puzzles, Death Squared suffers from a significant flaw: its unwieldy control scheme. Optimized for the Nintendo Switch’s Joy-Con controllers, the PC version’s keyboard controls feel clunky and unresponsive. Controlling one robot with the arrow keys and the other with WASD proves challenging, especially during moments requiring precise coordination. The continuous movement of the robots exacerbates this issue, often leading to frustrating accidental deaths. The lack of customizable controls further compounds the problem, forcing players to adapt to a suboptimal setup. The requirement of a separate controller for a second player on PC adds another layer of inconvenience. The imprecise movement of the robots themselves adds to the frustration, making it difficult to execute intended actions with accuracy.

Death Squared – Puzzle Solving

Conclusion: A Puzzle Game Worth Solving, Despite its Flaws

Death Squared offers a compelling puzzle experience with its clever level design, escalating difficulty, and engaging cooperative mode. While the control issues pose a persistent frustration, the game’s charm and rewarding gameplay ultimately outweigh its shortcomings. If you’re looking for a brain-teasing challenge with a healthy dose of humor, Death Squared is well worth exploring. Just be prepared for some controller-induced rage along the way.