Game Review #260: Iron Snout (Nintendo Switch)

Reviewer: Bradford "TheWaffinator87" E.

Developer: SnoutUp Games

Publisher: Ratalaika Games

Category: Action, Arcade, Fighting, Multiplayer (local)

Release Date: 4.19.19

Price (at time of review): $4.99

Buy Iron Snout from the Nintendo Switch eShop here.

Here Piggy, Piggy, Piggy

You remember the Three Little Pigs? Well that big old mean wolf is a little ticked off that he had to leave hungry and he is back with vengeance! You are one of the little piggies and you are all by yourself to face the big bad wolf and his never-ending wolf pack. How long will you be able to fend off the big bad wolf and his homies in the newest game from SnoutUp Games, Iron Snout?

I mean that’s not the exact backstory to this fun little game, but I thought it sounded pretty B.A. There really isn’t a backstory just you’re a pig defending yourself from endless attacks of wolves coming at you from all angles. So, for the review we are going to use that cool backstory that I just made up. Unless you just want to say the wolves did it all for the bacon. Everyone loves bacon.

To be honest this was a game that I quickly judged before playing and I am upset with myself for it. As silly as it looks - almost ridiculous - it is rather quite amusing. It’s super simple to play, a great way to pass the time, and some of the wolves that come at you are rather kind of funny. And with 9 different piggies to fight as through 4 different game modes with 3 different backdrops, you can create all kinds of crazy wolf killing action. The 4 modes you get to play are:

Classic: You get 10HP to go as far as you can.
Sudden Death: 1HP to last as long as you can.
2P Wolfieball: Almost set up just like PONG you use your Kung-Fu to hit a ball back and forth trying to hit the button behind your opponent. You can set it up so the button triggers enemies coming and attacking the other player, or you get a point.
Pig VS 100: Not 100% sure what this mode was but seems like it is a time clock style mode. You vs the clock.

Everyone Was Kung-Fu Fighting

The controls for the game are flawless and made so you can just jump in and go on a big bad wolf killing spree. You can either use the D-pad (up, Left, Right, Down), or the Thumbstick (Up, Left, Right, Down) or the Buttons X, Y, A, B. Basically, it is set up so you can play with one hand and concentrate more on where to strike next as wolves home in on you, and not worry about pushing the wrong button. Example if a wolf is coming from the left you just tap Left or X and your pig will strike to the left. This also makes it easier to execute combos as well.

Three Little Piggies, to Make a Piggy Pie

I’m not a big fan of the group that sings that song, but I do enjoy that song. Back to the game. The controls were spot on, but where does it fall with visuals and audio? Well this is one section that the game fell a little short with me. The music is very upbeat and sets the tone for a party more than a fight to the death. I am not saying that the music isn’t good, just saying for a game that is about killing wolves I don’t think this main song/audio track works too well.

The overall display of the game on the other hand is very amusing and entertaining. You have hooker wolves ($1 for this, $20 for that), Santa pigs (Taking out the naughty wolves), wolves on rockets, and all other kinds of craziness all in a 2D cartoon (hand drawn-looking) world. Your health meter is portrayed by pieces of bacon - mhmmm bacon - and when you die, the piggy goes on his back with all four legs in the air and X’s for eyes; it is kind of humorous. The blood is even very cartoony and allows for my kid to be able to watch and not get affected by the bloodshed.

I Came in Like a Wrecking Ball

I love the shot this game takes at Miley Cyrus so much that it gets its own section. And if this ISN’T a shot at Miley then I don’t know what is.

Enter the HAMtrix

When playing the game as the piggy fighting off never ending hordes of wolves I couldn’t help but think of Neo fighting off hordes of Agent Smith. I am a big time Matrix fan so the fact that I could relate the two was a big plus to me. That’s basically what this game is. A cartoon version of the Matrix where Neo is a Pig and Agent Smith is a horde of Wolves and for some reason Miley Cyrus decided to crash the party. This game doesn’t seem like much on the surface, like I said I to was quick to pass judgement and I was wrong! The game is rather silly and entertaining overall a fun way to pass the time.