Adding yet another app to the classic snake game category, the release of Boa Constrictor by Excelltech Mobile has at least proven there is always a way to put a spin on a tried and true game. There’s always a risk when messing with a classic and I’m not convinced it paid off with Boa Constrictor. If you’ve enjoyed other versions of the game but feel they’ve been done to death in the same old way, Boa Constrictor may be worth a look.
First off, the premise is the same as all the others — snake eats, snake grows, don’t touch anything but food or die. What’s different about the Boa Constrictor version is twofold. First of all, the graphics are 3D. On that front, it’s actually pretty nice. There’s a nice range of shading and they’re pretty crisp.
The second difference is the two modes of play. The first mode is the classic game, the second is the “evolved” game. In this second mode, there are rats as well as apples for your dining pleasure and an enemy hawk that can swoop down and drag you into the hedgerow to die.
While I appreciate the efforts to modernize an old standby, there are a couple of aspects of Boa Constrictor that actually take the game a step back. To begin with, most versions of the snake game let you view the entire map area at once, whereas in this game there are always parts of the map off screen at all times. This makes it difficult to perceive where the borders are to avoid them.
Secondly, I am not convinced that Boa Constrictor is well suited for touch screen control. In the classic game mode, the snake is constantly moving as would be expected. This means you have to have your finger constantly in front of the screen to maneuver it. Having already pointed out the inability to see the entire map, the constant need to touch the screen only further obstructs the experience. I will say that the evolved game mode is a bit more relenting, as the snake will stop moving when you stop touching. As for the control response, the snake has a better turn radius than most riding lawnmowers, but you do have to be careful not to run it into itself.
So as not to forget to mention the smaller details, such as sound effects and settings, there is rather fitting upbeat techno-jungle music accompanying the game. In evolved game mode, the hawk screeches a warning as he approaches and in both modes, the snake makes pointed gulping sounds when he eats. Boa Constrictor also features a main menu that saves and records high scores as well as a help button with brief explanations of items, and an options menu for sound settings.
In my opinion, without the evolved game mode, Boa Constrictor would be seriously lacking ingenuity. After giving this modern version a try, I have a renewed appreciation for the classic arcade version. While the graphics are much improved, I remain a true believer that not everything has room for vast improvement. Boa Constrictor may be better appreciated by those who haven’t experienced the classic or who can’t live without having every snake game ever made.
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