Snake Pass

Get ready to really feel like a snake in Snake Pass by Sumo Digital. Take control of, the adorably named Noodle, a coral snake who must traverse four themed worlds in hopes of finding an item for Noodles bird friend Doodle. This game is heavily physics based so if you are looking for a title that pushes the envelope and really tries for something new and unique then this is, without a doubt, a title worth looking into. Prepare yourself or one of the most charming 3D puzzle games of our age. Let’s get into it.

Gameplay

The gameplay in Snake Pass is unique to say the least. AS you take control of Noodle, you are given the ability to move your head on an axis and wriggle along all snake like to reach your destinations.

As I stated, this is a 3D platformer so you will have to maneuver your way around bamboo structures dotted across the four worlds to reach the many collectibles needed to complete the game. You must learn to think like a snake. You have to weigh how you plan to coil around a certain object so that you can move along it without falling off, placing your weight in all the right places so you accomplish your goal and don’t slip.

I found the mechanics here to be hilarious, then infuriating, then absolutely genius. Yes, the game is hard but the more you die and are forced to respawn and recollect all your collectibles, you will swiftly become an adept player. As the game progresses, it opens up new dangers and mechanics, spike pits, bottomless chasms and lava are but a few. You must navigate these dangerous trials and reach the end to progress. Once you have done so, the level unlocks for a speedrunning mode which does add even more gameplay.

Story

The story of the game is quite straightforward. Noodle is asked by Doodle to locate a mysterious intruder who is stealing Keystones, devices that let them travel in the gates between lands. They keep finding black feathers along the way as they progress through the worlds. It is up to the pair to discover what is going on and who the mysterious intruder is. The story takes a backseat in this game, as they often do in puzzle games. It only really exists to act as a driving force for the progression of the main characters. That is very much the case here as well, the story is ignorable and the gameplay is the real star.

Visuals

The visuals of this game are stunning and vibrant and warm. There wasn’t a second when I was looking at the screen where I didn’t enjoy what I was seeing. Noodle, as a coral snake, is a gorgeous deep orange color which easily distinguishes him from the verdant grass or bamboo surroundings. Great care has been taken to make it so this game is easy on the eyes, and it really is.

Pros:

• Great Visuals
• Fantastic Gameplay

Cons:

• Camera angles can mess up sometimes
• Checkpoints are a little too sparse