LO3: Review of Angry Birds 2

Angry Birds 2 Review

Angry Birds 2... A more complicated and tiring version of the original game, Angry Birds.

Angry Birds 2 comes under the 'puzzle' genre as the game requires intellect and thought as to where you should fire the birds to defeat those little menacing green pigs. The game requires you to defeat these pigs by firing the birds into the path of the various elements surrounding them like wood, glass and metal.

The storyline of Angry Birds 2 is exactly the same as the original version of Angry Birds. The birds have their eggs beside them and then all of a sudden they are taken by, what looks like defenceless, green creatures (pigs) who then scoot off in a hot air balloon from out of nowhere. The birds then have the task of recovering the eggs by, level by level, destroying all the pigs to move onto the next. However, every time you complete a series of levels and think you have retrieved all the eggs, the pigs still somehow manage to almost 'regenerate' and take them away again to the next batch of levels.

The birds that are available on this game are the original red bird, the bomb, Chuck (the yellow one), the blues (the three light blue birds), Matilda (the large white bird), Bubbles (the bird that expands) and Terence a.k.a. the larger red bird. The regular red bird has no extra special powers as it is the original, the bomb bird has the ability to drop bombs on the pigs below, Chuck is able to gather speed at the users request by tapping anywhere on the screen, the blues start off as one bird but again the user can hit the screen to dispose three smaller birds, Matilda has the ability to drop an egg onto the elements or pigs below her, this egg then explodes creating a marvel of mass destruction killing everything in its path (just kidding), Bubbles is a bird that inflates when the user taps the screen pushing out any pigs that may be trapped under the elements and somehow haven't died yet (yes that happens a lot, trust me) and finally Terence does exactly what it looks like he would do, he has the power to push through anything that would be in his way (to a certain degree).

Now to the game itself, the actual game is very similar to the original version of Angry Birds but with a few minor adjustments including the level designs, new boosts/bonuses and the fact that you now only have a limited number of lives before you must start paying for them!!! This is news that all Angry Birds are reluctant to take in. It's yet another trick from Rovio to make them even more money, as if they hadn't made enough already. From a neutral perspective it is disappointing news but really it gives me an excuse to actually put down the iPad for a change and go and play another game which has unlimited lives...

The target audience for the game was originally for a younger group but as the game gradually became more popular it has adapted into a game for all ages. Angry Birds 2 is available on iOS and Android devices currently through the iTunes and Google Play stores respectively. It doesn't look like any more merchandise is in line to be produced so thank goodness our eyes will be relieved from all the pencil cases, books, plush toys, hats, masks, paintings, cases, erasers, shoes, cake toppers, wallets, bottle caps and the list goes on. Hopefully Rovio don't milk it too much this year...

The game was released worldwide in July 2015. The critical reception of the game was very mixed; Angry Birds 2 disappointed critics slightly with its energy system and the fact that if the user ran out of lives, they would have to wait a day or two to re-gain some or either buy gems through the in-app purchases. However, the average reviews were around 6-7/10, with the game being praised for its step forward in puzzle design and excellent graphics. As the app is free to download, Rovio earn no revenue from app sales but rely on in-game adverts and on users buying the in-app purchases to make their money. A week after its release, Angry Birds 2 had been downloaded over 20,000,000 times, showing Rovio's success in the app developing market.

Overall I would give this game a solid 7/10 as the graphics and characterisation has most certainly improved the game from that perspective but what brings the score down is the fact that lives are no longer unlimited in one go. In my opinion this brings the game a negative feel but if you're looking for some quick fun to fill up your work break or some study break time then this is the game for you.