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Snake Pass

If a game could be judged by how many times you’ve shouted obscenities at its protagonist, then Snake Pass would be up there with the best of them.
Snake Pass Game Cover
76%Game Brain Score
gameplay, music
story, grinding
79% User Score Based on 2,086 reviews
Critic Score 74%Based on 28 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchPlaystation 5Playstation 4Xbox Cloud GamingXboxSteam DeckWindowsPlayStationXbox Series X|SPCXbox Game PassCloudXbox One
Snake Pass Game Cover

About

Snake Pass is a single player casual platformer game with a kids theme. It was developed by Sumo Digital and was released on March 28, 2017. It received mostly positive reviews from both critics and players.

In "Snake Pass," players control Noodle the Snake and his friend Doodle the Hummingbird as they navigate through 15 levels to restore Haven Tor's mythical power. By thinking like a snake, players will slither, coil, and climb through precarious puzzles to reunite the Keystones with the magical gates. With a unique physics-based gameplay style and a charming soundtrack from David Wise, Snake Pass offers a refreshing twist on puzzle platformers.

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79%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,086 reviews
gameplay181 positive mentions
story27 negative mentions

  • Unique and innovative gameplay mechanics that require players to think like a snake.
  • Charming visuals and a delightful soundtrack composed by David Wise.
  • Satisfying sense of accomplishment when mastering controls and completing challenges.
  • Frustrating controls that can feel clunky and unintuitive, especially for new players.
  • Camera issues that can obstruct gameplay and lead to unnecessary deaths.
  • Unskippable cutscenes and a punishing checkpoint system that can detract from the overall experience.
  • gameplay
    561 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay in *Snake Pass* is characterized by its unique and innovative mechanics that require players to control a snake's movements, such as slithering, coiling, and gripping, rather than relying on traditional jumping mechanics. While the game offers a charming atmosphere and visually appealing environments, it presents a steep learning curve that can be frustrating for some players, particularly due to its repetitive nature and lack of diverse gameplay elements as the levels progress. Overall, those who embrace its distinct control scheme and methodical pace will find the experience rewarding, though it may not appeal to everyone due to its challenges and occasional design flaws.

    • “Snake Pass offers a fresh and inventive take on the platformer genre that sets itself apart through its unconventional gameplay mechanics.”
    • “The core gameplay centers around this unique locomotion, where players use separate controls to lift the head, move forward, and coil the body around objects to climb or grasp surfaces.”
    • “The physics-based movement system adds depth to the gameplay, making every successful climb and maneuver feel incredibly rewarding.”
    • “Additionally, because the gameplay is so focused on the core mechanic of snake movement, it can feel repetitive over extended play sessions, lacking the variety of moves or abilities found in other titles.”
    • “The novelty of playing as a snake wears off very quickly and by stage 6 (out of the 15) I found myself not even bothering to get collectibles anymore because they felt like they had no purpose and were mostly placed in spots that can make you lose a decent amount of progress with a single slip up.”
    • “The wind mechanic introduced in the last few stages is outright bad.”
  • music
    347 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in "Snake Pass," composed by the renowned David Wise, is widely praised for its catchy, atmospheric quality that complements the game's vibrant visuals and unique gameplay mechanics. While many players find the soundtrack relaxing and fitting for the game's tone, some note that the limited variety of tracks can lead to repetitiveness over extended play sessions. Overall, the music enhances the game's charm, evoking nostalgia for classic platformers while providing an engaging auditory backdrop.

    • “Accompanying the visuals is an excellent soundtrack composed by David Wise, whose melodic and soothing tunes fit perfectly with the game’s relaxed yet focused tone.”
    • “The music flows gently, underscoring both the beauty and the quiet tension of each level.”
    • “The jungle-themed levels are full of color and personality, and the soundtrack by David Wise (of Donkey Kong Country fame) is a standout — melodic, atmospheric, and perfectly matched to the game’s tone.”
    • “The soundtrack is very fitting and relaxing, making it even easier for this game to be a relaxing, enjoyable journey.”
    • “Yes, the song is catchy but I wanted to tear my ears off after listening to the same song for 4 levels.”
    • “My two complaints are that the music, while good, is kinda lackluster because it's just one repeating song.”
  • graphics
    321 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their vibrant, colorful, and cartoonish aesthetic, reminiscent of classic platformers like Crash Bandicoot and Spyro. Many reviewers highlight the charming visuals and well-crafted environments, which are complemented by a soothing soundtrack composed by David Wise. However, some players note issues with optimization and a lack of graphical settings, which can affect performance on lower-end systems. Overall, the game's art style and graphics contribute significantly to its appeal, creating an engaging and whimsical atmosphere.

    • “The game's visuals are stunning, with bright, colorful environments that feel alive.”
    • “The graphics are delightful - colorful and sharp - and the music is pleasant if a little generic.”
    • “Snake Pass is an extremely unique, physics-based platformer with a vibrant, saturated color scheme, excellent visuals, a finely crafted soundtrack composed by none other than David Wise, and features cleverly contrived controls for the snake's movements.”
    • “The game is not very friendly or casual, despite its graphics.”
    • “The graphics are pretty but there is no option to disable temporal anti-aliasing, making the game a bit blurry.”
    • “Overall, well worth the buy, but would really appreciate them trying to fix the graphics up very soon!”
  • story
    200 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is largely considered minimal and underwhelming, serving primarily as a backdrop for gameplay rather than a focal point. Many players noted the lack of character development and narrative depth, with some describing the plot as simplistic or even tacked on. While the charming visuals and gameplay mechanics are praised, those seeking a compelling story may find the narrative lacking and forgettable.

    • “The story is weak at best, but this is not a game you play for the story.”
    • “The story, while very minimal, is a sweet 'G' rated narrative that's ideal for kids.”
    • “The light-hearted story is reminiscent of games like Spyro or Banjo-Kazooie, and the level designs, while mostly simple, are challenging enough for those going after all collectibles.”
    • “No story to speak of: while not a dealbreaker, the absence of narrative or character development is notable.”
    • “The story feels like it's just tacked on.”
    • “Unfortunately, one of this game's weak points is the story and characterization.”
  • atmosphere
    41 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its lush, colorful environments, serene jungle settings, and engaging soundtrack by David Wise, which together create a charming and immersive experience. Players appreciate the relaxing vibe, enhanced by detailed graphics and a lack of time pressure, allowing for exploration at a leisurely pace. Overall, the game's vibrant visuals and upbeat music contribute to a delightful atmosphere reminiscent of classic adventure games.

    • “Levels are lush and colorful, filled with dense foliage, towering bamboo, and sparkling waterways, creating a serene atmosphere that complements the slow, deliberate gameplay.”
    • “The jungle-themed levels are full of color and personality, and the soundtrack by David Wise (of Donkey Kong Country fame) is a standout — melodic, atmospheric, and perfectly matched to the game’s tone.”
    • “The art and graphics are lush and beautifully done, and work together with the famous dulcet tones of David Wise to create a cohesive and lovely entrancing atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere is upbeat, and some of the tracks are downright funky.”
    • “It's not like having colorful enemies would change the atmosphere of the game as there are already spikes that impale the noodle and kill him.”
    • “Then suddenly it hit me... this game's atmosphere reminded me quite a bit of some of the older Rare titles.”
  • grinding
    31 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and exhausting, with many players noting that the repetitive nature of gameplay, long levels, and unskippable cutscenes contribute to a frustrating experience. While some hardcore gamers may appreciate the challenge, the overall sentiment suggests that the grind can become overwhelming and time-consuming, particularly for completionists who face setbacks when losing collectibles after dying. Despite moments of enjoyment, the consensus is that the grind detracts significantly from the overall experience.

    • “a little grindy”
    • “a bit grindy sometimes”
    • “medium level of grinding”
    • “Maybe hardcore gamers who love punishment will appreciate it, but for most people it's just tedious and exhausting.”
    • “Messing up means you've committed that much more time to redoing a section, and the added bonus of losing the collectibles you've gathered since the last checkpoint makes it all the more tedious if you're a completionist.”
    • “Whenever you die, you lose all objects collected before the last checkpoint, which invites you to constantly go back and forth saving progress, and this combined with noodle's less-than-impressive top speed, can become tedious especially when the closest checkpoint is not that close or not an easy path to travel.”
  • optimization
    27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, even on high-end systems. While some users found that adjusting graphics settings could improve performance, others experienced persistent frame drops and sluggish controls, indicating that the game is generally unoptimized. A few players noted that they had a smooth experience, suggesting that performance may vary widely depending on individual setups.

    • “Most recommend fiddling with graphic settings and accepting this isn't an optimized game, but I noticed all my hitches happen whenever a friend was sending a message or launching a game, so disabling Steam overlay solved all my issues.”
    • “The game is terrifically optimized.”
    • “- a commendable, well-optimized port for PC.”
    • “Felt sluggish and unsatisfying to control, among the pretty bad optimization.”
    • “Not optimized, performs terrible on a high-end PC.”
    • “I was really looking forward to this, but it's very poorly optimized, and taxes even high-end machines.”
  • emotional
    24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players consistently highlight the emotional depth of the game, praising its charming music and wholesome story that enhance the overall experience. The main character, an emotional snake, evokes feelings of nostalgia and joy, making it a delightful platformer suitable for all ages. Despite some gameplay challenges, the game's heartwarming nature and engaging expressions leave a lasting positive impression on players.

    • “The music is really great, and made me feel super happy.”
    • “I had never played nor seen this game before and yet.. I was sitting here staring at something that made me feel the familiarity of an old friend.”
    • “This game is wholesome and lovely in every way.”
  • replayability
    23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers substantial replayability primarily through collectibles and optional challenges, appealing to completionists who enjoy exploring every aspect of the environment. Players can engage in time trials and arcade modes for additional replay value, although some find the lack of achievements in these modes limiting. While the game provides a solid replay experience, the presence of unskippable cutscenes and a desire for more content may hinder long-term engagement for some players.

    • “Collectibles scattered throughout encourage exploration and replayability, appealing to completionists who enjoy uncovering every secret nook and cranny.”
    • “Collectible-driven replayability: each level includes optional collectibles — blue orbs and golden coins — which give players incentive to fully explore and master the environment.”
    • “Each level took me around 30 minutes on average, with some of the later levels taking slightly longer, and there are some achievements that encourage replayability, such as playing every level without dying or finding hidden idols that are otherwise unmentioned.”
    • “The game may suffer in terms of replay value, but a single full completion may keep you busy for quite a while.”
    • “There is some replayability with the time trials and collectibles, but beyond that I don’t see myself getting anything more than 10 hours out of this… unless they add more levels.”
    • “Replayability isn't the problem; however, the fact you have to sit through boring unskippable cutscenes each time is.”
  • humor
    23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is characterized by its quirky mechanics and charming graphics, often leading to amusing moments as players navigate the challenges. Many reviewers highlight the funny character expressions and sound effects, which contribute to a lighthearted atmosphere, despite some frustrations with controls. Overall, the game is described as entertainingly funny, with a nostalgic charm reminiscent of classic titles.

    • “A little difficult until you manage to learn how to control Noodle (the snake), but still, very nice and quite interesting, and honestly, ever funny when you mess up while awkwardly snaking around.”
    • “The ability to change their expression on the fly is hilarious, and I found myself doing it constantly.”
    • “It's charming, challenging, and at some moments will have you sitting in front of your monitor laughing like an idiot.”
  • stability
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's stability is generally praised, with many players reporting a smooth experience and no significant bugs during gameplay. However, some users noted minor visual glitches and issues with controls, physics, and camera responsiveness that can affect gameplay. Despite these concerns, the game is considered polished and runs well on platforms like the Steam Deck.

    • “I encountered no glitches in the entire playthrough, and the game feels polished in general.”
    • “The game runs great and it has a ton of environmental jungle gym elements to slither and climb.”
    • “Runs great on Steam Deck at 40Hz max settings.”
    • “The snake's head sometimes glitches into the wood visually, making it hard to determine which side of the rod/log the head is facing. This uncertainty can lead to mistakes in coiling, causing the body to wind out of the coil and fall off the log.”
    • “Unfortunately, the controls are unresponsive, the physics engine is buggy, and the camera is uncooperative.”
    • “The game offers some nice graphics, although there are some ugly glitches here and there.”
  • character development
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the reviews highlight that while the character design is praised for its charm and quality, there is a notable lack of narrative and character development, which some players find disappointing. The gameplay mechanics are enjoyable, but the absence of a deeper story or character growth detracts from the overall experience.

    • “Great mechanics and beautiful character design.”
    • “The character designs are by far well crafted.”
    • “The colors are great and the character designs are lovely.”
    • “No story to speak of: while not a dealbreaker, the absence of narrative or character development is notable.”
  • monetization
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviewers appreciate the game's focus on traditional gameplay and exploration, highlighting a lack of perks and microtransactions that often detract from the experience in modern titles. This return to a more straightforward gaming model is seen as a positive aspect, emphasizing skill and challenge over monetization strategies.

    • “I appreciate that the game offers a fair monetization model, allowing players to enjoy the experience without feeling pressured to spend money.”
    • “The in-game purchases are optional and don't hinder progress, making it a refreshing change from other games.”
    • “The actual gameplay is the focus, navigating the world is your challenge - the way games used to be before perks and microtransactions.”
    • “The monetization model feels exploitative, pushing players to spend money to enjoy the game fully.”
    • “It's frustrating that essential features are locked behind paywalls, making it hard to progress without spending extra.”
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6h Median play time
6h Average play time
5-8h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 7 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Snake Pass is a casual platformer game with kids theme.

Snake Pass is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Steam Deck and others.

On average players spend around 6 hours playing Snake Pass.

Snake Pass was released on March 28, 2017.

Snake Pass was developed by Sumo Digital.

Snake Pass has received mostly positive reviews from both players and critics. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its story.

Snake Pass is a single player game.

Similar games include Yoku's Island Express, Airscape: The Fall of Gravity, Teslagrad, I Am Fish, Grow Home and others.