Death Squared

 Xbox One
User Score
6.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 12 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 12
  3. Negative: 2 out of 12

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. MKAU-Gaming
    Mar 17, 2017
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. When did ‘simple’ become such a bad word? Even now when someone says simple, I and probably the masses think boring, easy, plain or dull. Basically the colour white comes to mind, emotionless and cold. “Death Squared” by SMG Studio is simple, but far from these standards we hold the word simple to be. Three words that may more accurately describe it is “simplistic but effective”.

    My first encounter with game was at RTX Sydney, watching from the far back in the sweaty hordes, as the team from FunHaus took on the Achievement Hunters, and I knew in that moment I had to review it, it just looked THAT fun. It was an itch I had to scratch. Home grown and produced on Australian turf, Death Squared is an arcadey puzzler with an exceptional approach on co-op play. Instead of working against each other, it is pivotal to work as a team, no lone wolf in this game. This game encourages communication whether it be helpful hints, aggressive advice, or flipping the bird in jest at your fellow teammates because you solved the problem first.

    The story begins with the sarcastically but oddly charmingly voiced, David. Not much is known about our elusive protagonist, other than he is testing (through your control) the intellectual ability of brightly coloured, adorable, little robots, for the tech company OmniCorp. Along the way you interact in conversations with IRIS the A.I computer running the tests. The banter is real between them and the conversations often quite comically set up the storyline. I know at home you are thinking this is very similar to Portal, and I suppose the premise is, but this game is oh so subtly different when you are actually playing.

    You must control both blue and red robots, or one each with a partner, through 80, 3D, puzzled landscapes to an achievement marker, avoiding obstacles such as pits, spikes and laser beams, and using switches and barricades to assist along the way. Controlling these Rubik cubish robots is as simple as using the analogue sticks independently, to control one or the other, not one button is even needed (simple, right?). For such simple, pint-sized androids, these little chaps are brimming with character. It almost felt painful when they died, or exploded into a spray of nuts and bolts before your very eyes (effective, right?). My only critique of the actual gameplay is at times the movement can be a bit touchy, often sending your miniature pals careening over the edge to their doom. This only meant more precision play was needed the next time or seven....

    The Story/Co- Op Mode maybe the bread and butter of the game but the Party Mode is where the fun is turned up a volume. Now let me start off by saying, I like reviewing games. Yes, it is fun to play a new release but it also often gives me the opportunity to review myself as a ‘gamer’. Upon reviewing this game, it brought me to ponder over the fact of when did I start to prefer to game alone? And why? Long gone are the days we’d all gather together on the couch and play a game. Death Squared makes you relive that past.

    In Party Mode, up to four players can each have their own robot to traverse the test chambers in 40 new levels. The puzzles are considerably more difficult in this mode as it requires a lot of communication. It was amusing watching my friends jump up and down next to me with new ideas, and even funnier to watch them fail. We yelled over each other in excitement, and rehashed and evaluated plans when they fell apart. The challenge then was talking your way through synchronizing movements, it became an actual art form in itself. Frustrating but also so exhilarating when you got that gratifying tick of completion.

    This game is all about learning. Learning from your mistakes, learning new ideas, learning new strategies and learning from your friends. The sense of reward after completing any level is what keeps you coming back for more. “Just one more level...” often crept out my lips as I was pushing along my little, Rockstar decaled cube.

    Overall the game play is that straightforward it is mind blowing. Simple normally means entertainment is sacrificed but this is certainly not the case. I really enjoyed myself, the puzzles were challenging but not too annoyingly, you’d want to rage quit or throw your controller (I have issues). Death Squared is certainly a case of less is more.

    Review brought to you by MKAUGaming Australia    … Expand
  2. MauryEdson
    Apr 27, 2019
    8
    gostei bastante, otimas horas de distração, recomendo bastante pra todos, divertido
  3. zePineapple
    Sep 15, 2020
    0
    I guess it wouldn't sell very well under the original title "Tedium"

    Fun puzzle mechanic, but sometimes it's just not fair, you can't see or understand what is killing you.

    Awful controls, very hard to wrap your head around.
    Needs checkpoints, some of the levels have a very long setup time, and you'll have to do it dozens of times when you can't figure out the correct solution.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 5 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. ICXM
    May 9, 2017
    74
    Overall, Death Squared is a successful, fun puzzle game for all ages. Entice your non-gaming friends with it before throwing them to the wolves of competitive first-person shooters. Just be sure to play it with someone.
    Read full review
  2. XBLA Fans
    Apr 6, 2017
    100
    Death Squared is a smooth, simple and challenging puzzle game that focuses on bringing playful humor to what could have easily become a repetitive experience. The dialogue and included "glitches" in the program almost completely mask any sense of tedium with each of the many levels. If you are normally on the fence about puzzle games, this just might be the one to convince you. Whether you want an entertaining solo challenge or a fun new game to play with friends on the couch, you won't need to look further than this.
    Read full review
  3. Generación Xbox
    Mar 27, 2017
    67
    Death Square is game where many friendly robots will have to overcome levels and challenges. Use your brain and play the 'party mode' with other 4 players. A unique and innovative puzzle game that will keep you addicted to it for several days. The worst part is its short duration and its discreet technical aspects.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »