Squeakers

Never before have I more desperately yearned for the absolute annihilation of my friends who I played this game with, the developer(s) who created it, and myself. This game made me hate the world and everything in it. An experience I certainly won't forget. Worth all 99 pennies.

Squeakers is a cooperative indie action-puzzle platformer developed by Boar-in-games and published by Ordinary Pine Studio. Released in 2018, the game presents a deceptively simple concept: a group of small boar characters must work together to escape a world that is steadily being swallowed by rising floodwaters. The only way to survive is to build a tower of bricks high enough to stay above the waterline. While the premise sounds straightforward, the way the game transforms this idea into a frantic race for survival results in an experience that is both humorous and tense. Its arcade-style pacing and cooperative mechanics give it the feel of a party game, where quick thinking, teamwork, and a bit of improvisation are necessary to keep the tower growing before the water inevitably catches up. The central gameplay revolves around constructing a vertical escape route using bricks produced by a cement mixer. Players collect these bricks and place them strategically to create a climbable structure that gradually rises above the flooding world. The process might sound simple, but the challenge quickly becomes apparent once the water begins to creep upward. Every second counts as players scramble to grab new bricks, find stable places to attach them, and climb higher before the rising flood eliminates their progress. The building mechanics introduce a dynamic puzzle element, as poorly placed bricks can disrupt the entire structure and make climbing more difficult for everyone involved. This balance between speed and precision forms the heart of the gameplay, turning each match into a frantic exercise in problem-solving under pressure. One of the most distinctive aspects of Squeakers is its focus on local multiplayer cooperation. The game supports up to four players simultaneously, encouraging friends to work together to construct the tower and keep each other alive. Cooperation is often essential, since one player can gather bricks while another builds, and others climb ahead to extend the tower. At the same time, the chaotic nature of the game frequently leads to accidental interference. A misplaced block or mistimed jump can cause a section of the tower to become unstable, forcing everyone to improvise new routes upward. This unpredictability creates many of the game’s most entertaining moments, especially when players shout instructions to each other while desperately trying to avoid the rising water. Although multiplayer is clearly the intended way to experience the game, Squeakers can also be played alone. In single-player mode, the player must handle every aspect of survival independently—collecting bricks, constructing the tower, and climbing quickly enough to stay ahead of the flood. This transforms the game into a more demanding test of reflexes and efficiency, since there are no teammates to assist with construction or rescue mistakes. The solo experience can be surprisingly challenging, requiring careful planning and quick decision-making to maintain steady upward progress. While it lacks the chaotic humor of multiplayer sessions, it provides a satisfying puzzle-platforming challenge for players who prefer tackling obstacles alone. As the tower grows taller, the game introduces additional complexity through a variety of brick types. Some blocks behave normally and simply extend the structure upward, while others have unusual properties that can either help or hinder construction. Certain bricks might create convenient platforms that make climbing easier, while others may disrupt the stability of the tower and force players to rethink their approach. The introduction of these varied building pieces adds a layer of unpredictability that keeps the gameplay fresh, ensuring that players must constantly adapt their building strategies rather than relying on the same techniques every round. Over time, mastering how each brick type interacts with the structure becomes a key part of improving performance. The visual presentation of Squeakers embraces a charming pixel-art aesthetic that fits the game’s arcade roots. The environments are simple yet colorful, allowing players to easily track characters, bricks, and the rising water level during the chaos of construction. The small boar characters are designed with playful personality, and the six available character types help players differentiate themselves during multiplayer sessions. Although the graphics are not especially detailed, their clarity works in the game’s favor by ensuring that the action remains readable even when several players are scrambling across the same structure. Sound design and music contribute to the lively atmosphere. The soundtrack maintains an upbeat tone that matches the game’s frantic pace, while the sound effects for brick placement, jumping, and splashing water reinforce the urgency of the situation. These audio cues help communicate the growing danger as the water climbs higher, subtly encouraging players to move faster and build more efficiently. The combination of cheerful music and chaotic gameplay creates a playful tension that keeps matches entertaining even when things start going wrong. Despite its entertaining mechanics, Squeakers does have some limitations. The core concept, while creative, can become repetitive after extended play sessions since the primary objective—building a tower to escape the water—remains consistent across rounds. The game also focuses mainly on local multiplayer rather than extensive online features, which may limit its appeal for players who prefer online cooperative experiences. However, the simplicity of the design also makes the game very accessible, allowing new players to quickly understand the mechanics and jump into the action without needing lengthy tutorials. Overall, Squeakers succeeds as a lighthearted indie multiplayer experience that combines puzzle mechanics, platforming, and cooperative chaos into a surprisingly engaging formula. Its rising-water premise creates constant tension, while the building mechanics encourage teamwork and experimentation. Though it is relatively small in scope and best enjoyed with friends, the game’s playful design and frantic pace make it an entertaining addition to the library of indie party games. For players looking for a cooperative title that emphasizes communication, quick reflexes, and improvised solutions, Squeakers offers a charming and memorable challenge. Rating: 7/10

Good game

XУЙНЯ

чотка

very addictive game, hard at first but once you get used to the controls and building rules it becomes super fun!

Very addictive :)

Oink oink! (translation from Boarish to English: addictive as hell, great music / audio + lots of fun)

☀️

прикольная инди с друзьями в самый раз