Angry Birds (video game)
| Angry Birds | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Rovio |
| Publisher(s) | Clickgamer.com |
| Platform(s) | iOS, Nokia N900 |
| Release | December 10, 2009 |
| Genre(s) | Puzzle |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
Angry Birds is a puzzle video game developed by Rovio, a developer based in Helsinki, Finland. Since its release for Apple's iPhone and iPod Touch devices, over 4 million copies of the game have been purchased,[1] and versions have appeared for other touchscreen-based smartphones.
Gameplay
In Angry Birds, players take control of a flock of birds that are attempting to retrieve their eggs from a group of evil pigs that have stolen them. The pigs have taken refuge on or within structures made of various materials, and the object of the game is to eliminate all the pigs in the level.
Each level gives the player a certain number of birds. Using a slingshot, players launch the birds at the structure, with the intent of either hitting the pigs directly or damaging the structure, which would cause it to collapse onto the pigs. If all the pigs are defeated by the time the last bird is used, the level is completed and a new level is unlocked. Players may re-attempt levels as many times as they wish, and may also replay completed levels.
There are six different types of birds used in the game. Red birds are the most common, but have no special abilities. If you have updated the app recently, you will be able to use the big red bird (seen after the six birds are captured by the group of evil pigs with hard hats in Episode 4: The Big Setup). The other five birds will perform specific actions when the touchscreen is tapped in flight:
- Blue birds will separate into three smaller birds
- Yellow birds will speed up and dash into their targets
- Black birds will explode on command
- White birds will drop egg-shaped bombs
- Green birds will go back and fly into the opposite direction like a boomerang (rescued by the Yellow bird in Theme 6 Level 4 (Danger Above) and the big red bird in Theme 9 Level 5 (The Big Setup)
Birds are pre-selected for each level, and must be launched in the order provided, thus requiring the player to strategically use each bird's abilities in order to defeat the pigs.
Points are scored for each pig defeated as well as for each piece of the structure that is damaged or destroyed. Bonus points are awarded for any unused birds.
There are also different types of pigs.
- ordinary pig
- soldier pig (harder to defeat)
- mayor pig (these have a moustache and are worth more points)
- king pig (these have a crown and are worth maximum points)
There are are 5 worlds. Some with 63 levels, some with 45 and the last world with only 8. The names of these worlds are; 'Poached Eggs' (December 2009), 'Mighty Hoax' (December 2009), 'Danger Above' (April 2010), 'The Big Setup' (July 2010) and the final world, 'Golden Eggs'.
Note: Part 2 of Episode 4: The Big Setup will open on August 2010 and Part 3 on September 2010.
Synopsis
Each episode sees the pigs attempting to steal the birds' eggs through different methods. The pigs are commanded by three main figures; Herr Helmet, Mr Moustache and the King.
In 'Poached Eggs', the pigs simply steal the eggs and attempt to escape.
In 'Mighty Hoax', the pigs steal the eggs and use a cut-out of the King to distract the birds while they escape.
In 'Danger Above', the pigs steal the eggs and escape on board a number of makeshift aircraft.
In 'The Big Setup', the pigs imprison the birds in a cage to prevent their defeat after stealing the eggs. However, a large, red bird is still loose and fights back.
Each episode consists of the birds fighting their way through the main figures until they reach the King and reclaim the eggs. However, the second episode consists of the birds eliminating the cut-out before pursuing the actual King.
Reception
The reviews of Angry Birds have been generally very positive. Chris Holt of Macworld called the game "an addictive, clever, and challenging puzzler,"[2] and Pocket Gamer's Keith Andrew said Angry Birds is "a nugget of puzzling purity dished out with relish aplenty."[3] The game was nominated for the "Best Casual Game" award at the 6th annual International Mobile Gaming Awards, announced in Barcelona, Spain in February 2010.[4]
Angry Birds became the top-selling paid application on Apple's UK App Store in February 2010, and reached the top spot on the US App Store in the spring of 2010.[5]
Ports
Rovio has released Angry Birds for Nokia's N900 handset, through its Ovi Store,[5] and expects to release it to smartphones using Google's Android operating system through the Android Market in the summer of 2010.[6] An iPad-exclusive version, Angry Birds HD, was released at the same time the iPad itself was released in April 2010.[7] Rovio has stated that it plans a PC version for release at an unspecified date.[5]
References
- ^ Jay Yarow (2010-06-18). "Publisher Of Top iPhone Game "Angry Birds" Explains Why He Likes iPhone". BusinessInsider.com. Retrieved 2010-06-23.
- ^ Chris Holt. "Angry Birds Review". Macworld. Retrieved 2010-06-23.
- ^ Keith Andrew (2009-12-21). "Angry Birds (iPhone) review". Pocket Gamer. Retrieved 2010-06-23.
- ^ "The 6th Annual IMGA Winners". IMGAwards.com. 2010-02-16. Retrieved 2010-06-23.
- ^ a b c Gustav Sandstrom (2010-05-12). "Angry Birds Smartphone App Takes Off For Rovio". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2010-06-23.
- ^ Mark Brown (2010-05-18). "Angry Birds coming to Android this summer". Pocket Gamer. Retrieved 2010-06-23.
- ^ "Angry Birds HD for iPad". iTunes.apple.com. Retrieved 2010-06-23.