Since we tested it in January, we were convinced that Snipperclips was going to be one of the most exciting games at the launch of Nintendo Switch … and it is important news. As you will read in the analysis, its indie spirit is charming, its ingenious puzzles and enjoyment in company one of its great virtues.
The story behind Snipperclips is not well known , two brothers who one day participated in a collective video game creation session (“game jam”), and from which the concept of a couple of characters cutting each other ended up coming out. generate all kinds of shapes. In fact, it is not necessary to look any further, since the playable mechanics are based precisely on the design of those red and yellow creatures that we control cooperatively.
When Adam and Tom Vian presented it at a GDC’15 conference, they even said that the prototype (then known as Friendshapes) had been designed in just eight days . Then they already anticipated that they wanted to pass that project in Flash to Unity, and that because of their approach they were evaluating the home console market.
We do not know what happened since then, except that it has ended up becoming one of the great releases of Nintendo Switch . And it is good news. Not only because it is a quality puzzle game , but because it is a great starting point for “indies” on this platform. If the Big N gets it right, the personality will not only come from the games designed from the Kyoto factory, but also by supporting these young promises, collecting interesting projects that can give the brand a unique personality.
Snipperclips: Launch Trailer
Promising “indie” premiereSnipperclips is a game that fits perfectly within the philosophy of Nintendo Switch, and more particularly its Joy-Con . It is a calm game that requires some skill, but is mostly thoughtful. No complex controls are required, just ingenuity to get ahead in a series of tests in which the dynamics are also very easy to understand: cut your partner .
Shoot a ball? Let’s see how you manage … We just tell you that there is no single way to do it.
The title gives the option to play alone, alternating the management of the two protagonists, but the magic begins when two players hold the Joy-Con cooperatively . That is when you will begin to communicate, to agree, to laugh, to exclaim because something does not go as it should, etc. It is a work designed to enjoy with a friend, with your father, with your brother, as a couple … With anyone. It adapts to any profile and circumstance.
Surely you have already seen it, but given the nature of this console, we can play both in desktop mode and in television mode . This makes possible the motto “when you want, where you want and how you want” of Nintendo, becoming a game that demonstrates the possibilities of the machine in this regard. Each level is designed to be rather short in duration, ideal for alternating with Zelda or simply as relaxation before bed.
The truth is that the variety in the proposal is high. Not only in mechanics, also in thematic.
Of course, it has its difficulties , and it is easy to come across times when you don’t really know how to get out of a certain problem. But there is also the magic of Snipperclips. You will run into some less inspired level or another, but the overall balance is positive, with wit, good ideas and moments of “eureka”.
It is a calm game, which requires some skill, but is mostly thoughtfulThe level design is magnificent. The controls are simple. However, not enough attention is paid to how funny the title is. The animations of the faces when one character is cut to another, when bending over, when jumping… Each level has its peculiarity, the result of one of the workers (Adam Vian) being dedicated to making comics . Noticeable. There is a lot of enthusiasm in the artistic side and it is one of the attributes that makes the launch strong.
The game lacks a more logical difficulty progression, as it has ups and downs and a better sense of progress is missed. There are situations that stand out and others involve a mere formality. But otherwise it is a fairly round launch, because apart from the three worlds included (with a number of levels), two additional modes are proposed for up to 4 players .
One of them is about continuing to solve puzzles, while the other invites us to duels to do a kind of basketball, hockey or fight to the death (by clipping). Quite complete for the approach it has, that of an exclusively downloadable launch that becomes from the day of birth of Nintendo Switch in one of those video games that can live with a triple A like Zelda. And that’s the magic, that such a project has managed to find its place. Hopefully many “Snipperclips” will come after this …
“Very good”
Snipperclips
After watching and checking the quality of Snipperclips, we just want more. More “indies” projects capable of surprising us and taking advantage of the possibilities of Nintendo Switch, as in this independent title. Although not all puzzles share the same genius, and have aspects that can be improved, it is a brilliant and very nice way to release the machine, especially if you want something to play in company.
- Brilliant playable concept, with great ingenuity in the approach
- Designed to play in company, from two to four people
- Nice artistic and sound section that perfectly matches the style of the game
- It is a positive bet on independent software on Nintendo Switch
- A greater sense of progression is missed, especially in difficulty
- Some puzzles are more ingenious than others
