Zero Punctuation Season 10 Episode 31 Headlander & Quadrilateral Cowboy
- Not Rated
- August 10, 2016
- 5 min
In season 10 episode 31 of Zero Punctuation, game reviewer Yahtzee Croshaw takes on two indie games, Headlander and Quadrilateral Cowboy. He begins with Headlander, a retro-futuristic side-scrolling shooter where players control a floating head that can attach to and control the bodies of various NPCs. Croshaw praises the game's beautiful visuals and clever gameplay mechanics, but criticizes its lack of challenge. He notes that the game is "a bit too easy," especially towards the end when players have amassed a collection of upgraded abilities.
Moving on to Quadrilateral Cowboy, Croshaw describes it as a first-person puzzle game set in a cyberpunk world. Players take on the role of a hacker who must break into various secure facilities and steal valuable information. Croshaw notes that the game's aesthetic is reminiscent of classic sci-fi films like Blade Runner and that its soundtrack is superb. He praises the game's challenging puzzles and open-ended gameplay, which allows players to approach problems in a variety of ways.
However, Croshaw notes that the game's controls can be frustrating at times, especially when it comes to interacting with objects and navigating the environment. He also criticizes the game's lack of direction or explanation, noting that many players may find themselves confused or lost without any clear objectives.
Overall, Croshaw gives both games positive reviews but notes that they each have their own flaws. Headlander is a fun and inventive shooter but lacks challenge, while Quadrilateral Cowboy offers satisfying puzzles and gameplay but suffers from frustrating controls and lack of direction.