Ever dreamt of being a minion-wielding overlord, splitting your focus in four directions, and thirsting for universal domination? Well, neither have I. But Quadroids invites us to ride shotgun with Roboctopus, an ambitious overlord with designs on the universe and an army that, let's be kind, doesn’t match his ambition.

Get a sneak peek at Quadroids here.

Blue Loop Studios, a wily band of indie game crafters, has partnered up with publishers Just For Games and Fabloo Games. The mission? To give us a game that’s both a nod to the past and a tantalizing glimpse of the future. If you're not familiar with these folks, let's just say they're the dream team of turning pixelated reveries into riveting reality.

Our story kicks off with Roboctopus, an octo-extraordinaire, plotting universal domination. His tools? The loyal minions whose collective brainpower wouldn’t light up a two-watt bulb. Still, what they lack in wits, they make up in enthusiasm.

All Quadrants Report

Now, diving into the Quadriod-verse, one can’t help but be enthralled by the Lemmings inspired gameplay. Dividing your attention (and the screen) into four and navigating each minion through their respective puzzle section becomes an exercise in multi-tasking mayhem. And let’s be honest, making that tiny minion run, hop, and double jump its way to the next challenge by hitting the right key is as satisfying as hearing a perfectly timed punchline.

But don’t get too comfortable as the levels increases so does the chaos especially when multiple minions demand simultaneous attention. It’s not just about clearing the level, it's also a race against time. The ever-ticking clock doesn't care about your reflexes or your puzzle-solving prowess, it just wants to beat you.

And just when you thought you'd gotten the hang of it, the game will laugh at your face and upped the ante. Some levels demand that you command not one, but multiple Quadroids. The intricacies of the puzzles, combined with the relentless ticking of the clock, makes for an exhilarating blend of strategy and speed. There's also one more catch; the minions pop up willy-nilly across four screen so you never know know where they'll start or what areas they'll fall into.

Pixelated Pomp and Tunes

The retro pixel graphics, I confess, hit me right in the feels as if I was thrown back into a time where every pixel told a story. Accompanying this was a musical score that felt plucked straight from a vintage arcade. Soft tones merged with retro bleeps, created a digital symphony that played in the backdrop of my galactic conquests.

In the age-old debate of controller versus keyboard, I prefer the latter. The actions in the game felt more natural when my fingers danced over the familiar keys. With over 100 levels, it may take some trial and error to figure out the next puzzles. However, one downside to the game is that it can become somewhat repetitive after the first 15 levels or so. When this feeling arises, it's best to take a break, recharge, and come back to it later.

Brainless Minions for the Win

If you're a fan of Lemmings, you'll love Quadroids - a game that takes you on an adventurous journey through different levels. While there are some repetitive elements, it provides a captivating and immersive gameplay experience. If you enjoy games that require quick reflexes, sharp thinking, and a touch of delightful absurdity, Quadroids is definitely worth trying out when it is released for all platforms in December.

Hungry for more indie game delights? Check out our roundup of the must-play indie titles of 2023 here.