Above Snakes Review
A breath of fresh, Wild West air in worldbuilder survival games
last updated Jan 14, 2024
'Above Snakes' stands tall in the saloon of survival sims, offering a unique sip that tastes mighty fine.
The Right Tile at a Time
When a game gives you the freedom to stitch together your very own Wild West world, one oddly shaped tile at a time, you can't help but tip your hat to the idea. 'Above Snakes' manages to stand apart in the craft-and-survive genre with its unique map mechanic. Players have lauded this feature, likening it to wielding one's cosmic power to shape landscapes. With gameplay that's 90% serene homesteading and 10% 'now what did I need from this tree again?' frustration, it strikes a fairly decent balance. Farm, craft, loot, and the all-important building of your virtual base are joys not lost on this cowboy. Some have noted that the gameplay can get a bit grindy—like panning for gold grindy—but the general consensus is it's a good 'un.
Harmonizing Hootenannies and Howls
'Above Snakes' delivers an auditory experience that hits the mark like a sharpshooter. The music—spot-on for its Wild West theme—serves as both relaxing backdrop and emotional compass. Meanwhile, the sfx? Picture a zombie hoedown, where instead of gunfire, there's the hospitable clunk of resources gathered and the charming clatter of your expanding homestead. Some have expressed a hankering for voice acting to lasso the vibe together, and while there isn't any, you'll likely be too enamored with your harmonica-accompanied nighttime campfire to mind much. As for the performance, crank it up, neighbor, because the sound is optimized like the lead horse in a stagecoach team.
A Paintin' o' the Wild Yonder
If digital canvases could rival those of the iconic Bob Ross, 'Above Snakes' might just be in contention. Vibrant visuals? Check. Aesthetic that screams spaghetti western? Double-check. As players build, the world blooms around them with meticulous detail that's just Krakatoa-esque in its beauty. Performance-wise, this game runs smoother than a conman in a saloon, though some users have experienced unfortunate encounters with the dreaded crash bug. However, it's as rare as an honest card game in those parts.
Cowpoke Conundrums and Astute Adjustments
Let's talk bugs—the kind that don't make for good eatin'. A few wranglers out in the gaming plains have mentioned tile placement bugs that'd make any greenhorn chuck their claim and head back east. Still, despite a handful of these digital critters, the team behind 'Above Snakes' is known for wrangling issues with updates quicker than you can say 'bugfix at high noon'. And though there's no co-op, this solo journey through the quiet apocalypse is a solitary sip of moonshine you won't wanna share.
Equestrian Questions and Dodgy Dangers
Grab your hats, folks - navigating the vast wilderness can feel like pulling boots out of the mud. Sure, there's a horse to travel with, but a chance to literally ride off into the sunset? Missed, like a shot at a barn door. The combat steps into the arena like a barn dance after one jug too many—a bit of a flustered flail. It's got a rhythm, but it's like dancing with your boots laced together. When the dust settles, it's the freedom and creativity that shine, like a gold nugget in a pan full of gravel.
STEAM RATING
Developer
Square Glade Games
Publisher
Crytivo
Release Date
May 25, 2023
The Frontier Verdict
Grab your wagon, settle your horse, and saddle up for a crafting game that rustles up a good bit more than your standard farm toil tale. 'Above Snakes' brings a cartography cocktail to the crafting table, allowing you to forge the frontier as you see fit, with a bit of zombie target practice on the side. The game strums a cozy tune in its presentation, with captivating visuals and an audio landscape that’ll make any cowpoke feel right at home on the range. While the combat gambles away some fun and there’s the odd tumbleweed in the form of a bug or a grind too far, 'Above Snakes' stands tall in the saloon of survival sims, offering a unique sip that tastes mighty fine.
