Snipperclips Review

Genre: Puzzle Game
Players: 1-4*
Playtime: 4 Hours (Includes beating all 3 worlds of World mode through means of 2-player co-op and briefly trying Blitz mode)

Of the few games to release with the launch of the Nintendo Switch, Snipperclips stood out as a unique and creative offering to be sure.  At a low price point of $20 at the time, its compelling cooperative play, and adorable animations, it was an easy recommendation to add to new Switch owner's starting libraries.  Now that the library has considerably grown though, does the same still hold true for this little puzzle game?  Let's take a snip at the pros and cons of this game and see if it still makes the cut.

Compelling Co-Op

Snipperclips excels in delivering a cooperative experience like none other.  The necessity in which players must interact with each other, to cut shapes and navigate obstacles, creates an engaging experience that requires true cooperation and coordination.  Communication is key as players try to figure out how to dictate their plans, often leading to hilarious unintended remarks.

"Alright, let's make you skinny so you can cut a hole in my face and I can catch the pencil."

Another great aspect of Snipperclips' co-op gameplay is how accessible the gameplay can be.  The puzzles are kept to a simple, single screen scenario so that all information needed is clear and available to be recognized for both players.  And as the actions of the game are kept to the essential basics of movement and snipping, players can focus instead on learning new ways to interact with the environment.  While the interactions on screen can be chaotic at times, that can be just as fun as you both laugh and try to get a hold of the situation together.

Clever Puzzles

Though each scenario for the puzzles is kept relatively simple and easy to understand, there is a wealth of variety to be found in each scenario.  Many a puzzle may have a clear intended goal, but the fun and challenge instead comes from how to reach and/or coordinate your actions to reach that goal.  From transporting balls to hoops, to warding off UFO's from satellites, every puzzle in the game requires clever thinking to solve, but also allows for many means in which to solve them.  And for a game that is so welcoming to new players, this is a fantastic approach to game design as so many approaches can applied to every type of player.

Gameplay Mechanics

The mechanics in which players cut and create shapes from each other is so unique and unlike any other game, it bears worth mentioning.  This game stands apart with its unique gameplay mechanics to be sure.

Such a mischievous face for such an unusual game.

Art Direction / Animation

The art of Snipperclips is kept to a simple and clean style of cutout shapes, fitting for the overall theme of game.  It's clear and easy to read, while retaining an undeniable charm to it.  What particularly stands out would be the animation of the main characters in the game.  The range of expressions they can make as players interact with each other amplifies the silliness and hilarity to be found, producing a fit of giggles to be shared as the character wears a mischievous smirk on their face, slowly approaching your partner to be snipped.

Single Player

The main World mode of the game is playable by one player, in that the one player will switch back and forth between the two characters.  However, this not only takes the joy out of what is a silly social experience, but makes solving many of these puzzles much more difficult and cumbersome.  It is incredibly tedious having to play as one character at a time, especially for those puzzles that have moving elements.  If they wanted to have a single player portion to the game, it would need a separate designed experience for such.  As is though, I can only recommend this game for 2-4 players.

Working solo can be a heavy burden to coordinate multiple actions between characters.

Lack of Online

While it is certainly more enjoyable to share a physical space with laughter as you play locally with friends, the option to play online would have been appreciated.  I imagine the lack of communication features at launch though would have made this a more frustrating experience than was worth the effort.  Perhaps when Nintendo finally rolls out its online plan, this can be amended, but I suspect not.

Short Playtime

Part of the reason this review took so long to publish was I wanted to play through the full game in co-op, and then other games popped up that put such on the back burner.  Turns out though if I had just completed a few more levels, I would have finished the game as it is only 3 worlds with 9 levels each (plus 6 challenge levels that reuse scenarios in more difficult fashion).  So this ends up being about a 4 hour experience for $20, which isn't horrible by itself, but it does end quicker than you'd imagine.  If you can manage to rile up an extra two players and joy cons, you'll get some additional playtime and fun to be had with the Party Mode, but that too will end quicker than desired.

Another world or two would have helped to make this feel a little more meaty, especially since the puzzles revolve around such simple concepts.  As you'd have it though, there are additional levels available for purchase in the form of DLC.  I can't attest to the value of this DLC as of this review, but know that the main game feels a little light for its price point.

Snipperclips has its share of hits and misses, but remains an easy recommendation for the same reasons as it did at launch.  If you have a partner / friend(s) available to play this game with locally, this will be one of the most unique and enjoyable cooperative experiences you've seen in a long time.  And though it will be a short experience, the fits of giggles and laughter shared will be long remembered.

If you have questions or thoughts about this game, please feel free to comment and discuss below.  Thanks.  And happy gaming!