Published by EastAsiaSoft, Direction Quad is one of those short burst, trial-and-error type games where the goal is to reach the finish line. In other words, it is another simple, low-cost title that fits firmly into EAS’s extensive library.

Direction Quad deserves some recognition for trying something different. From a top-down perspective, the player controls the pivoting of an auto-moving frog. As each stage begins, the frog automatically moves at a 45-degree angle. Tapping any button causes the frog to rotate his movement in the opposite 45-degree direction. The challenge comes from knowing when to pivot and when to fully flip direction by bouncing off springboards. Even though you are only pressing one button to change direction, it is rather confusing and overly difficult.

It only takes a few seconds to clear a stage, but you’ll die many times along the way. Direction Quad is one of those “just one more” trial-and-error type of games but instead of being addicting or satisfying, it is only frustrating. Around the halfway point, I rage quit simply because of the dastardly control scheme. After trying dozens of times, I just couldn’t wrap my brain around the 45-degree pivots as it never moved in the direction that I wanted, compounding with the required quick reaction time. Making matters worse, it demands perfection if you want to nab all the optional collectables along the way. This game is hard but not in a good way.

I admire the simple 2D pixel art and attempt at creating something a little different, but Direction Quad misses the mark for me. Instead of automatically moving at 45-degree angles, I can’t help but think this game would have been much more fun if perhaps the player simply had direct control of the frog’s movement, or even if you pulled back and launched him like a plunger on a pinball table. As it sits, the approach is admired but the gameplay is maddening.

SCORE: 3/10

By: Zachary Gasiorowski, Editor in Chief myGamer.com

X/Twitter: @ZackGaz

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