Above Snakes is a new isometric world-building and survival game, developed by Square Glade Games and published by RedDeer.Games. Released on September 4, 2025, the game is now available on consoles (Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox One & Series X|S).
The title combines gentle survival mechanics, exploration, farming, crafting, and base-building in a vast Wild West setting full of mysteries. Its overall tone is calm, atmospheric, and occasionally challenging, designed so that players can experience the world entirely at their own pace.
A Glimpse into the Narrative
In Above Snakes, players take on the role of Aiyana, a young woman caught between two identities: her mother was a settler, her father a member of an Indigenous tribe. This dual heritage makes her part of both cultures, but never fully belonging to either.
The narrative unfolds in a turbulent Wild West era, where uncharted lands are being explored and settled, but progress comes with tension and danger. Aiyana must find her place in this world, facing not only the challenges of survival and nature, but also mysterious threats known as “Lost Souls.”
Atmosphere and Worldbuilding
The world is deeply inspired by Wild West legends and myths, but avoids falling into typical Western clichés. Instead, it emphasizes untouched wilderness and diverse landscapes: forests, rivers, deserts, and mountains.
Using an isometric perspective, players construct the world piece by piece through modular tiles, shaping biomes to their liking. This mechanic creates a sense of ownership and creativity while ensuring that each playthrough feels unique and organic.
Worldbuilding and Biomes
One of the game’s standout mechanics is its modular worldbuilding system. Instead of exploring a pre-generated map, players actively place and shape their environment. The choice of which biome tiles to add directly affects the resources available, the animals encountered, and the overall structure of the frontier.
The game features over 100 unique world pieces, including biome combinations, ensuring variety and creative freedom. Whether building near rivers, expanding into forests, or settling in open plains, the world is constantly shaped by the player’s decisions.
Crafting, Survival and Exploration
Beyond shaping the land, players must engage with classic survival elements. Gathering resources, crafting tools, fishing, farming, and hunting are all vital parts of progression.
Danger arises not only from natural elements—such as weather, wildlife, or scarce resources—but also from supernatural foes: the Lost Souls. These hostile entities add tension to exploration, especially when venturing into unknown territories.
Progression is gradual: players begin with basic tools and simple shelters, then expand toward advanced materials, larger buildings, and efficient production chains. This structure rewards long-term engagement without overwhelming newcomers.
Pacing and Accessibility
Above Snakes emphasizes freedom of play. Objectives and quests exist but never feel forced. Players can focus on farming, crafting, or pure exploration without being pressured by constant survival timers.
This balance between relaxing world-building and moments of challenge makes the game suitable for a wide audience, from cozy-game enthusiasts to players seeking occasional combat and tension.
Graphics and Performance
The isometric art style is stylized rather than realistic, focusing on atmosphere through lighting, vegetation, and weather effects. This approach ensures that the game runs smoothly on all platforms while maintaining charm and immersion.
While not hyper-detailed, the environments are carefully crafted, with biome transitions, shadows, and water effects that enrich the sense of wilderness. On consoles, the game remains accessible thanks to optimization, though performance specifics may vary depending on hardware.
Controls and Interface
The interface is designed for both mouse/keyboard (on PC) and controllers (on consoles). World tiles can be rotated and aligned, allowing precise placement when constructing settlements or landscapes.
Crafting menus are clean and intuitive, making it easy to track available resources and objectives. This streamlined design ensures that even complex systems feel approachable.
Atmospheric Design and Narrative Depth
One of the game’s most distinctive features is its protagonist, Aiyana, whose dual heritage creates a meaningful lens through which the Wild West is experienced. This perspective provides nuance and depth, addressing themes of identity, belonging, and survival in a land of conflict.
The environmental design reinforces this tone. With its serene wilderness, shifting weather, and occasional supernatural threats, Above Snakes blends beauty and danger in equal measure.
Replayability and Player Freedom
Thanks to its modular worldbuilding system, no two playthroughs are the same. Players can endlessly experiment with biome layouts, settlement placement, and resource management strategies.
The game is not bound by a strict linear story. Instead, it thrives on discovery—hidden quests, secrets, and personal goals guide the adventure. This freedom encourages replayability and caters to different playstyles, from creative builders to explorers or survivalists.
Potential Weaknesses
Although Above Snakes excels in many areas, a few aspects may not appeal to everyone:
- Hardcore survival fans might find the mechanics too forgiving, as the game intentionally focuses on a gentler approach.
- Some biome pieces, while diverse, can feel similar over time in terms of resources and function.
- Performance on lower-end hardware, particularly on Switch, may experience frame rate fluctuations depending on optimization.
These points, however, are minor compared to the overall quality and accessibility of the experience.
Our thoughts
Above Snakes delivers a refreshing take on Wild West survival and world-building, combining atmospheric design, modular creativity, and a thoughtful narrative. Its balance of exploration, crafting, and personal pacing makes it appealing to both casual players and fans of the genre.
Square Glade Games and RedDeer.Games have crafted not just a technically solid game, but one with emotional depth through Aiyana’s story and her struggle for identity. For players seeking a mix of relaxation, discovery, and light survival challenge, Above Snakes is a strong recommendation.