People make careers out of dressing up old ideas in new clothing. Just look at Oasis, Quentin Tarantino and most British politicians.
It’s the same in the world of mobile games, but it has to be said that there have been some excellent examples in recent times. Pac-Man Championship Edition was a masterful revamp for the gaming godfather, while Puzzle Bobble Evolution successfully revitalised the bubble-popping puzzler.
Now we have Snake Revolution, an update of the granddaddy of all mobile games. It’s a tough formula to tweak without spoiling everything, but if anyone can manage such a delicate balancing act it’s Digital Chocolate.
From the off you can play a revamped Classic version of Snake, which features the usual ‘collect as many things as you can until your snake becomes longer than a post office queue on pension day’ gameplay.
Alternatively, you can dive headlong into Snake World, which is where all the main advancements have been made.
In true Digital Chocolate style, you make your way along a linear trail of levels through a colourful world map. Each level plays out like a standard game of Snake with a few embellishments. Your goal is to reach a target of stars which, when achieved, will open the level exit.
You’ll also encounter mushrooms, which allow you to munch through the solid wooden stumps that block your way.
Other additions include a number of environmental hazards to contend with, such as rivers that can only be crossed at certain perilously narrow points.
Despite these additions, though, you’ll feel you’ve seen everything of note by the time you’ve reached the end of the first world and fought your first boss (an underwhelming experience in itself). While Digital Chocolate has made a very smooth and attractive game of Snake, the foundations just don't appear to be there for a satisfying degree of expansion.
As such, you’ll quickly tire of Snake Revolution’s Snake World adventure mode. In fact, you’re far more likely to return to Classic mode for a quick high-score attempt a few months down the line.
We’ve seen enough in recent months to suggest that you can indeed teach an old dog new tricks, but it seems the same can’t be said for snakes.
Snake Revolution
As slick and playable as you’d expect from a Digital Chocolate game, but on this evidence Snake just doesn’t have the same scope for reinvention as certain other classic titles
Jon Mundy
Jon is a consummate expert in adventure, action, and sports games. Which is just as well, as in real life he's timid, lazy, and unfit. It's amazing how these things even themselves out.