Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 74 | 15 |
| Creator reviews (1 tracked) | – | 97 | 0 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 88% | 82 | 362 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 79 | 4 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 76% | 71 | 2 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 7 reviews sampled · 5 total reviews in window · weighted 2.9 up / 0.9 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (57)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 80
“While we've seen plenty of games that have similar themes and mechanics, the way they're presented in Death Squared makes for a rare experience. Having a game that is cooperative at its core but imminently playable as a solo experience is a boon, but it must be said its wily charms are exponentially more effective when sitting next to a friend or loved one whilst you giggle at each other's faux pas. If you want your puzzlers to be thought-provoking with a dash of dry humour, you can't go wrong with Death Squared.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“As much fun as I had with Death Squared it just seems a little bland when compared to the other big puzzles games available. It may sound harsh, but we can only know the quality of something by comparing it to its peers. And while Death Squared is certainly not the runt of the litter, it’s not the star either.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“It has been a long time since I’ve played a puzzle game where I didn’t end up feeling like I was going through the motions as a single-player experience. From that perspective I enjoyed the mental and physical dexterity required to tackle Story mode solo. While my wife and I completed all of the challenges in Snipperclips she also said, as a more casual game-player, that she preferred the less “fidgety” nature of control and challenge in Death Squared and that’s a perspective I can agree with. With there really only being a focus on movement the puzzle experience is a bit more pure and unencumbered, leaving you only with the challenge at hand. In that regard I also think the multiplayer aspects of the game have been as well-addressed as you could ask, you just need to provide a smart and patient group for it to work. With that in mind I’d say that no matter how you choose to play the game, alone or with friends, it absolutely works and is a great time. By their nature puzzle games aren’t for everyone but as a total package, and considering all of the viable ways it can be played, Death Squared is the most satisfying one that I’ve played in a very long time. It has, appropriately, defied expectations and raised the bar beyond the previous boundaries I had put on the genre.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Death Squared is a cocktail of two things that, theoretically, could never become a successful mix. Having said that, and although combining couch gaming and puzzles is a concept that doesn't work as well as intended, SMG Studio handles its unique idea quite alright. As a result, those who'll look past its few flaws will surely have a blast here.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Death Squared is a solidly fun and challenging experience with friends, and even more so when played as a single-player game. Its lighthearted nature, lengthy story mode, and couch co-op possibilities are all good selling points, but SMG Studios' puzzler suffers thanks to a lack of innovation. Test passed - just.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“undefined.Death Squared ends up being another great multiplayer experience for Switch. Laughs will emerge from accidental and pathetic-looking deaths and likely lead to the eventual furrowed brows of frustration and critical thinking - making for all the integral elements of a good puzzle game. Don't expect a lot of new elements and variables to appear though, the game is kept to a simple, tried-and-true formula that succeeds in boggling minds, all wrapped up in a neat and tidy package.”
read full review ↗ - 58
“Death Squared really could have been something great. However, as the game stands, it is still a worthwhile puzzler that should please gamers looking for a unique cooperative experience.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Death Squared tries to do a lot of different things, and for the most part it succeeds. It wants to be a single player game, but it wants to be a party game as well. Death Squared tries to be approachable to newcomers, but it wants to have puzzles that will bend even the most puzzle-solving mind. In trying to be all of these things, Death Squared does just enough to stand out from the puzzle crowd and merit notice, even if it is not the most original title.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Death Squared is an excellent addition to any puzzle fan's library. The puzzles may be a source of frustration at times, but they're also so well designed that you'll feel like you've accomplished a lot when solving them. The inherent co-op nature lends itself perfectly to multiplayer, especially on the Switch, where it doesn't require much to get a two-player game going, and the plethora of levels means plenty of time spent solving puzzles. It's yet another solid title in the system's young library.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Death Squared is a well-made and entertaining cooperative puzzler which seems a pretty darn perfect fit on the Switch.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Puzzle fanatics will enjoy it, even in solo mode. Players looking for some widely-appealing games to play with non-gamer family and friends will definitely find value here, and may discover they're no longer the best player in the room.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Death Squared is a simple and charming puzzle game that features excellent puzzles and exceptional voice-work.”
read full review ↗
Nintendo Life
Invision Community
Nindie Spotlight
Cubed3
Push Square
NintendoWorldReport
Nintendojo
Chalgyr's Game Room
Worth Playing
The Escapist
MonsterVine…and 45 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- FREE Levels Update Coming in 2025!?Apr 23, 2025
- Update notes for April 29Apr 29, 2021
- Update Notes for 30th March, 2021Mar 30, 2021
- FREE MAJOR UPDATEOct 15, 2019
- Death Squared V1.2.0 Released!Dec 4, 2017
- Death Squared V1.2.0 Released!Dec 4, 2017
- Death Squared Patch v1.1.1Oct 31, 2017
- Death Squared Patch v1.1.1Oct 31, 2017
- Death Squared V1.1.0 ReleasedOct 23, 2017significant · resets scoring window
- Death Squared V1.1.0 ReleasedOct 23, 2017