Snakebird Primer

If you're old enough to be able to read this review you're outside the target demographic, get Snakebird instead.

Fun if you like the concept but don't want much challenge. Only the final level was difficult.

2H beating it the first time after experience with the original game (which I never beat)

Good causal fun

TLDR Grid-obstacle puzzle game with “snake” mechanics, colourful and silly, straightforward puzzles. [16/20⭐, 2h🏅, 2/5💡]

Context Snakebird Primer is grid-obstacle puzzle game with snake-mechanics: the playable character(s) leave an impassable tail behind. Compared with the original Snakebird entry, Primer has the same mechanics, but has much simpler levels. So if you’re into challenging puzzles, you should probably see this as a tutorial to the main game.

Writing There’s no plot, you just have to feed snake-birds fruit and lead them into the rainbow through different thematic areas (unrelated to gameplay).

Aesthetics The game shares the same visuals and soundtrack of the original entry (except for 2 new thematic areas). The visuals are simple and colorful, and fit well with the overall silly setting. I enjoyed the playful soundtrack that didn’t get tiresome (although that would be difficult with such a short playtime).

Gameplay The mechanics are exactly the same of the original entry. Snakebird Primer is a grid-based puzzle game with gravity, where your own body also acts as an obstacle, in the style of the classical snake game: as you eat fruits (required to beat the level) your tail grows and trails behind your head. Additional mechanics appear as you progress, most notably the need to control up to 3 snakebirds per level.

The original Snakebird is known for being extremely hard, but that is not the case in Primer. The puzzles are straightforward (only the last level took more than a couple of minutes to solve). That’s not to say that they are not interesting: level design is very clever, with bite-size levels exploring different facets of the mechanics without feeling repetitive.

The interface is smooth (you can use the keyboard or the mouse, zoom in and out), you can reset the level, undo indefinitely (except through resets), and if you die you get back to the previous state. Progress is auto-saved, including the state of the current level if you quit (but not of all levels).

Value It took me less than 2h to beat the 70 levels spread across 8 areas. You can select the levels non-linearly as you unlock them. There is a single progress slot, but you can revisit and solve previous levels. Achievements are related to level progress, no added playtime. Sharing the aesthetics and mechanics of the main entry, this felt more like an introductiory level pack than a standalone game.

PS: despite the Steam warning, the game runs in recent macOS versions.

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great simle puzzle game

Extremely fun, but also extremely easy if you have just come off the first game. I would recommend playing this game first and then the original.

Good game but very tough to balance the difficulty. The game concept is tough that's why to make a casual experience around this IP is tough to pull off. Some levels were very easy or some required quite a lot of trial and error which imo wasn't very casual. Still a good attempt.

i liked the original snakebird game a lot, difficulty and all. i knew going into this one it would be easy, but its really easy. like, not even very satisfying to beat easy. if you're looking for a quick puzzle game to complete in an hour or two, this is it. but if you want any challenge at all, go for something else.

easy puzzles good for relaxing, quite short, great sound design and the overall theme

Fun and challenging. A simple game for when you want to relax.

Good and interesting and not so hard as the original game :)

really really short and really really easy BUT fun game (I 100%ed it in 100 minutes)

Very easy version of the original game, but honestly works much better as an actual introduction to the core mechanics. The original Snakebird has a steep learning curve after the first few levels and often doesn't directly teach you certain maneuvers. Snakebird Primer is a nice compliment to the original and worth playing first unless you enjoy bashing your head against a wall.

Yay, a version of Snakebird with puzzles that a mere human can actually solve!

Best game that ever existed. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING can be better that SnakeBird Primer. This game is peak of human culture, history and our cyvilisation as a whole. Every person in the world MUST play this game at least once, to experience real art, real gaming, real culture.

I'm so glad I got the two-pack and started with Snakebird Primer! The levels are easy enough to start, but they still provide a good challenge as you progress. I'm having a blast playing through these levels with my 10-year-old son, and between the two of us we can usually figure out what to do. If you love puzzle games with beautiful music and a nicely paced challenge, this will be a big hit. Definitely begin your Snakebird journey with Primer!

Played on Steam Deck.

Easy intro, one or two sessions and now I feel more prepared for a challenging sokoban style game. The visuals are charming and the mechanics are intuitive, can't wait to try out the main game!

Not sure why some people are leaving negative reviews because this is easier than snakebird. This is a PRIMER, it is supposed to be easier and introductory to snakebird. Anyway, great game and a good introduction to snakebird.

An enjoyable video game that serves as an introduction to the study of snakebirds.

The easy and fun version of Snakebird!

While the original is BRUTAL, this one is super fun!

If the original Snakebird is a mean bully who makes you cry and feel stupid, then this is his younger, nicer and more approachable brother. Is it the same game, but with a way lower difficulty? - Yes. Is it still fun? - Absolutely. Works great for both adults and older children.

Loved the game, finished it in 2.2 hours, just mad with myself that I wasn't able to finish it in 2 for the refund:(