Angry Birds Review: The Best of the Genre

App Name:	Angry Birds
Platforms:	iPhone/iPod Touch
Publisher(s):	Clickgamer
Genre(s):	physics

After playing games like Ragdoll Blaster, I’d become convinced that physics-based titles weren’t really my thing. And at first, Angry Birds by developer Clickgamer didn’t change my mind. But about one hour later it was a different story. I became thoroughly hooked on Angry Birds, and remain so to this day. There are various reasons why: Not only is it a more interesting take on physics gameplay than Ragdoll Blaster and other games in the genre, but it is also far more visually appealing and packed full of unique extras and hidden opportunities.

The premise puts you in charge of a pack of birds. These are “angry” birds because their eggs have been stolen by what can best be described as a tribe of ugly green pigs. The pigs are apparently interested in cooking and eating the eggs.  So what’s the best course of revenge? The birds decide to launch themselves out of a slingshot and destroy the pigs’ fortresses. Your job is to aim their trajectory.

The variety is provided by each bird’s distinct capabilities as a projectile, as well as different materials and structures of the pigs’ fortresses. The smallest bird you launch can be divide into three birds with a tap of the screen, causing more destruction. The yellow “wood” birds do a sort of charge that increases their speed and can force them through more layers of a fortress. The “bomb” and “egg” birds are pretty self-explanatory, but getting to the levels where these birds are unlocked is no less exciting.

The controls are quickly understood. You simply pull back on the bird in the slingshot to the desired power and direction, then release. The bird will go flying along the selected course and depending on your aim, will strike the fortress and cause damage. The timing of when you tap the screen during the bird’s flight determines when its unique power is unleashed. Keep in mind that each element of a fortress reacts differently to impact. Concrete, wood, and ice are some of the main components, and getting used to how they react will result in more effective attacks.

It’s hard to be critical of this addictive game. It keeps me coming back far more than many of the more expensive Xbox 360 games I own. However, Clickgamer could have done a better job of walking the user through the story, as well as the unique features of each bird. I played through almost the entire first theme pack of levels (there are currently five at download) without knowing my birds had special powers if I tapped the screen. It would be unfortunate if other players never discovered this, as it multiplies the game’s enjoyment factor. The story elements about the pigs stealing the eggs is only fully understood if you watch the cinematic trailer available at angrybirds.com or on youtube.  The game’s official website also offers walkthroughs of each level, but I’d recommend figuring it out yourself as it’s far more satisfying, and well worth it.

It’s hard not to return to a comparison with Ragdoll Blaster, the other physics-based game that has been near the top of the charts. But the scales are tipped heavily in favor of Angry Birds. There’s too much variety and enjoyable gameplay here to pass it up. If you’ve been disenchanted by physics games in the past, still give Angry Birds a chance.  It’s challenging, humorous, and has enough content to keep you playing for hours. Whether or not these hours are played consecutively is up to you, but I suspect that they will be.

Our Rating: 4.5/5

Angry Birds is available on the App Store for $0.99 at the time of this review.  (App Store Link)

About the Author

Devin Wieland

 

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