SNKRX is an arcade shooter roguelite where you control a snake of heroes that automatically attack nearby enemies. Combine different heroes to unlock class bonuses and create unique builds, and steer your unstoppable party as they ravage through endless waves of enemies.
The player controls the snake by steering it left and right. The snake's segments automatically attack nearby enemies, allowing the player to focus on navigating the snake to avoid obstacles and position it for optimal attacks.
Each hero in the snake belongs to one or more classes, such as Archer, Warrior, or Healer. Combining enough heroes of the same class unlocks powerful class bonuses, like causing enemy deaths to drop healing orbs. Players enjoy experimenting with different class combinations to create unique, synergistic builds.
As players progress through the game's 25 levels, the enemies become increasingly challenging. Defeating a level's boss unlocks a New Game+ mode, which further increases the difficulty but allows the player to grow their snake longer, leading to more complex builds and strategies.
The simple control scheme and short, 15-20 minute runs make the game easy to pick up and play in bite-sized sessions. The randomized hero and item selection in each run, along with the depth of the class synergy system, provide a high degree of replayability, as players strive to discover new, powerful combinations.
The retro-inspired pixel art style is charming and complemented by an exceptional chiptune soundtrack composed by Kubbi. The visual and audio design effectively capture the game's arcade-like atmosphere.
The developer has crafted an unexpected gem that blends familiar gameplay elements, such as the classic snake concept, with more complex mechanics like the auto-battler-inspired class synergies. The resulting experience is highly accessible, replayable, and an excellent value proposition at its low price point.