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Quadrilateral Cowboy

Quadrilateral Cowboy is one of those pleasant surprises, adding new depth to the puzzle genre and injecting a little bit of charm in between the heists.
86%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
stability, grinding
94% User Score Based on 786 reviews
Critic Score 80%Based on 9 reviews

Platforms

MOMac OSPCPCWinWindowsLinLinux

About

Quadrilateral Cowboy is a first-person shooter puzzle game that puts you in the role of a hacker. Use your computer skills to solve puzzles, bypass security systems, and control drones to complete missions. With a unique 90's retro-futuristic aesthetic, Quadrilateral Cowboy offers a fresh and challenging gameplay experience.

Quadrilateral Cowboy screenshot
Quadrilateral Cowboy screenshot
Quadrilateral Cowboy screenshot
Quadrilateral Cowboy screenshot
Quadrilateral Cowboy screenshot
Quadrilateral Cowboy screenshot
Quadrilateral Cowboy screenshot

94%
Audience ScoreBased on 795 reviews
story92 positive mentions
stability22 negative mentions

  • Unique and charming aesthetic that combines retro and cyberpunk elements.
  • Engaging heist-style puzzles that require creative problem-solving and planning.
  • Satisfying gameplay mechanics that make you feel like a hacker, with a gradual introduction of new tools and gadgets.
  • The game is quite short, taking around 4-6 hours to complete, leaving players wanting more.
  • Some mechanics and tools are introduced but not fully utilized in later levels, leading to a feeling of missed potential.
  • The game can be buggy at times, with crashes and glitches that disrupt the experience.
  • story
    344 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in "Quadrilateral Cowboy" is primarily conveyed through environmental storytelling and minimalistic interactions, lacking traditional dialogue or exposition. While some players appreciate the subtle and emotional narrative about friendship and heists, others find it vague and underdeveloped, wishing for a more substantial plot and longer gameplay. Overall, the game offers a unique storytelling experience that rewards exploration and attention to detail, though it may leave some players wanting more depth and cohesion.

    • “A great little experience that doesn't overstay its welcome and somehow manages to cram a whole story arc, 70s cyberpunk setting, and memorable characters into a coding puzzle heist game with no real dialogue.”
    • “The story is both light and heavy, at the same time.”
    • “The story was simplistic, yet beautiful and oddly touching.”
    • “The story could have been better; it felt hamfisted how it tried to force poignancy in a way that was common during this era of indie games, and the three characters are all essentially the exact same 'gadget' archetype with no real conflict, opinions, or drama.”
    • “There's a story, but it's doled out in short, weird, obtuse bits that make very little sense on their own, and I quickly lost interest trying to piece it together.”
    • “The story is ambiguous to the point you can use a fair bit of your imagination to interpret what is going on.”
  • gameplay
    306 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Quadrilateral Cowboy" is characterized by its unique and innovative mechanics, primarily revolving around a command-line hacking system that allows for creative problem-solving in heist scenarios. While the game introduces new mechanics at a satisfying pace, many players feel that it ultimately falls short by not fully utilizing these mechanics in later levels, leading to a sense of wasted potential. Despite its short length and occasional bugs, the engaging puzzles and stylish presentation make it a memorable experience for fans of immersive and creative gameplay.

    • “The gameplay is engaging, solving each puzzle feels like you really accomplished something.”
    • “The gameplay mechanics are unique, innovative, and interesting; the level design and puzzle design is good and the difficulty curve is just right for a tutorial.”
    • “The hacking mechanics are very well done and it's very fun to use all the gadgets.”
    • “Game introduces new mechanics, teaches you how to use them and then does literally nothing interesting with them.”
    • “The gameplay never goes anywhere beyond basic introductions of the mechanics.”
    • “Every heist gives you a new idea and mechanic, only for it to be abandoned in the next heist.”
  • graphics
    126 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "Quadrilateral Cowboy" are characterized by a unique low-poly aesthetic that blends retro-futuristic and cyberpunk elements, creating a charming and immersive atmosphere. While some players appreciate the intentional simplicity and detail within the minimalist design, others criticize it as lacking polish and sophistication. Overall, the visuals effectively complement the gameplay mechanics, enhancing the game's quirky and engaging narrative.

    • “The atmosphere is amazing even with low poly graphics; maybe it's even better because of it.”
    • “The graphics are lo-fi, but endearing and detailed in their own way.”
    • “The simplistic graphics are dripping with style and intentionally focus gameplay on the puzzles and hacking mechanics, which are paced flawlessly.”
    • “The graphics, well, look at the screenshots.”
    • “I think the blocky, low-poly visuals and washed-out, muted colors look really awful, and I just don't buy the idea that a game can look 'good' by deliberately trying to look dated visually.”
    • “Pretty sure this game is unfinished, half the graphics are missing and you have to type in your own code to solve the missions... um lame much???”
  • music
    37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising its unique blend of early 20th-century tunes and classical pieces, which enhance the atmosphere and complement the gameplay. However, some players feel that the soundtrack does not fully align with the cyberpunk setting and suggest a more atmospheric approach would be preferable. Overall, while the music is appreciated for its creativity and integration into the game, opinions vary on its suitability and impact.

    • “This is such a unique puzzle game, with amazing level design and a beautifully simplistic soundtrack.”
    • “The phonograph style music combined with cyberpunk living a la Blade Runner made for a really cool combination.”
    • “The music, art, and story all work together well, and help it accomplish its overall goal.”
    • “If I had any complaints, they would be with the short length and soundtrack.”
    • “I have no issue with the music itself, I just don't think it fits the cyberpunk setting.”
    • “The soundtrack consists of a handful of public domain tunes from the early 20th century, which the player can select from at any time, using a walkman-like portable record-player item.”
  • emotional
    37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is praised for its unique and wholesome narrative, conveyed entirely without dialogue, which creates a deeply emotional experience for players. Many reviewers noted the touching and heartwarming moments, particularly in the character development and the impactful ending, which left them feeling invested and even brought some to tears. Overall, it combines fun gameplay with a surprisingly profound emotional depth, making it a memorable experience.

    • “The story and ending were touching, but so minimalist it's hard to walk away from this feeling complete.”
    • “The ending was beautiful and caused me to shed a tear seeing the character in the mirror, but in the end, it put a smile on my face.”
    • “By the time it was over, I was surprised to be as emotionally invested as I was.”
  • atmosphere
    34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and evocative qualities, often enhanced by its unique art style and environmental storytelling. Despite its low poly graphics and minimal plot, players find the atmosphere to be rich and engaging, contributing significantly to the overall experience. Many reviews highlight the charming, quirky, and sometimes surreal ambiance, making it a standout feature of the game.

    • “The atmosphere is amazing even with low poly graphics; maybe it's even better because of it.”
    • “Although it is quite short (it's about 3-4 hours long) and the graphics won't blow you away in any sense of the word, the game is oozing atmosphere at every narrative and gameplay corner.”
    • “The whole atmosphere, the exploration, the puzzles, the characters, the visuals, the story, the weirdness... everything is perfect and fitting.”
    • “Short scenes between the heists are full of character, and succeed at creating an atmosphere of disempowerment, sending a message of solidarity in dire conditions and personal bonds subsisting through (and despite) overwhelming pauperization.”
    • “The story of Quadrilateral Cowboy has very little in the way of actual plot and is instead presented solely through environmental storytelling and atmosphere.”
    • “So far this game is unlike any other - the atmosphere is very off and different, almost creepy.”
  • humor
    23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is characterized by its sharp, unexpected wit and a blend of absurdity and melancholy, reminiscent of Brendon Chung's style. Players appreciate the engaging cut scenes and quirky character interactions, which provide a lighthearted contrast to the gameplay. While some find the humor less prominent than in similar titles like Jazzpunk, it still offers a charming and enjoyable experience filled with subtle jokes and pop culture references.

    • “In typical Brendon Chung fashion, the humor is sharp, genuinely funny, and usually unexpected or out of left field, making even the frustrating parts of the game pretty enjoyable.”
    • “The heists are absurd and hilarious, and the scenes between them are the highlight of the game.”
    • “The cut scenes between levels were a fun, often funny diversion as well.”
  • stability
    22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is frequently criticized, with many players reporting numerous bugs, glitches, and crashes, particularly when interacting with objects or during level transitions. While some users experienced a smooth gameplay experience, the overall consensus indicates that the game is plagued by issues that can detract from enjoyment, especially in the latter half. Despite these problems, some players still find the game entertaining and enjoyable, suggesting that the glitches may be somewhat forgivable.

    • “It's also absolutely bug-ridden; I had at least ten crashes apparently caused by right-clicking to pick up objects.”
    • “Lastly, the game is also very buggy and glitchy; one of the worst games I’ve played for years in this regard, in fact.”
    • “Buggy as hell - physics regularly malfunctioned, items disappeared, the deck interface would sometimes bug out, and crashes left and right.”
  • replayability
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players appreciate the variety in heist completion and the challenge of speedrunning, others find the linear nature of the missions limits replay value. The potential for modding and community-created content may enhance longevity, but many feel that once the puzzles are solved, there is little incentive to replay. The leaderboard feature adds a competitive element, appealing to those looking to improve their times, but the game's short length and occasional crashes detract from the experience.

    • “Don't let the €20 price tag scare you away; this game has infinite replayability and is well worth the investment.”
    • “I think this game is quite replayable as there are many ways to complete a heist, and you usually get 3 missions in 1 heist, so there's a lot of content.”
    • “Really good replay value as this is the first game whose time trials actually felt like an accomplishment of both programming ability, planning, and movement.”
    • “I would recommend getting it on sale due to the fact I got 100% completion in about 6 hours, and I don't see much replay value in it once you figure out the puzzles.”
    • “No real depth to puzzles requiring a multitude of techniques to overcome, or replayability via trying different approaches.”
    • “The only flaws with this game are that the missions are linear puzzles without much replayability (actually not any replayability at all unless you feel like getting more immersed in the gorgeous world or want to go for a better time on the arbitrary leaderboards) and the many crashes experienced during play.”
  • grinding
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while some late-game puzzles can feel tedious due to repetitive setups, others appreciate how this grind ultimately enhances their skills and sense of accomplishment in executing heists efficiently. Overall, despite the occasional annoyance, many recommend the game for its rewarding progression.

    • “For the longest time, I was convinced that it would be too tedious.”
    • “This usually isn't an issue, but some of the late game puzzles take a bit of setup to execute, and having to do it over and over can feel a little tedious.”
    • “At times, the game's systems require tedious fiddling, but overall I would recommend it in a heartbeat.”
  • character development
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Despite the game's minimalist art and lack of dialogue, reviewers find the character development impressive, noting that it effectively conveys the plot through gameplay mechanics like heists and puzzles. The puzzles serve not only as challenges but also enhance world-building and character growth, contributing to a deeper understanding of the characters' motivations.

    • “The puzzles aren't super difficult nor have multiple ways to solve them, but they really function more for world building and character development.”
    • “I can sum up the entire plot and character development with 'do heist, get paid.'”
    • “The fact that they were able to have any sort of character development in a game with zero dialogue and such minimalist art is pretty impressive to me.”
  • optimization
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game features a solid concept but suffers from significant optimization issues, leading to a subpar performance that detracts from the overall experience. Despite these shortcomings, some players remain hopeful due to the potential for modding, which may enhance the game's performance in the future.

    • “Normally, a performance like this in any game would make me downvote easily, but the reason why I'm okay with how it panned out is the one little mods folder on the menu screen.”
    • “Is coding a slow crawl of engineering, or can it be a light and delicate performance, like cold water or a kiss?”
    • “Good game concept, etc., but like people say: way too short, and my critique: poorly optimized.”
    • “Normally a performance like this in any game would make me downvote easily, but the reason why I'm okay with how it panned out is the one little mods folder on the menu screen.”

Buy Quadrilateral Cowboy

5h Median play time
5h Average play time
5h Main story
6h Completionist
4-7h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 7 analyzed playthroughs

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