ANGRY BIRDS ACTION
WHAT IS ANGRY BIRDS ACTION?
Angry Birds Action! is the thirteenth game in the popular mobile franchise, linked directly to the upcoming film with the same distinct visuals and personality.
Despite the name, gameplay has seen some interesting changes, some of which feel fresh and exciting. Instead of using a slingshot, players launch birds around a small pinball-style arena, ricocheting off bouncy bumpers and explosive objects. It’s a fun, refreshing way to approach a tired formula, and is definitely worth a look.
THE GOOD
Much like other games in the series, Angry Birds Action is easy to pick up and play. It harbours the same control scheme as its predecessors, but from a completely new perspective. Each level is played from a bird’s-eye view, letting you survey the surroundings before launching your artillery.
Birds ricochet like pinballs as they slam into obstacles, ricocheting violently that’ll almost make you feel bad for the little guys. I was surprised by how strategic I had to be in later levels, with each victory feeling like a genuine triumph. This would feel even better if the strategy utilised felt more significant.
The ammunition (birds) at your disposal remains the same as in previous Angry Birds games, although their abilities have seen some subtle tweaks. The adjustments prevent the Action from being too familiar to its predecessors. Experimentation felt worthwhile, even if the game will seldom present much challenge to veterans.
Some levels also contain unique objectives, such as collecting sweets or saving a bunch of bird eggs. They all follow the same template, but it’s nice to see some variety in how each stage is completed beyond destroying everything.
download angrybird 2
One neat new feature is the introduction of augmented-reality minigames obtained by scanning QR codes found in the real world. These can be found in specific retailers, McDonald's Happy Meals and LEGO sets.
THE BAD
The new aesthetic, identical in style to the upcoming CGI film, isn’t the greatest. Granted, the birds possess more personality, but they lack the irrational anger and goofy sound effects I loved in the original games. This isn’t helped by the game’s at times ropey perfomance.
Despite the introduction of new gameplay mechanics, the stale cast of characters and abilities feel dated and boring after a while. Because of this new mechanics feel stifled, putting innovation to the wayside in favour of familiarity. It’s still fun, but it plays things far too safe to leave a lasting impression.
Fans of the series will love it regardless, as it retains the addictive elements and rewarding progression found in older titles. There is no better feeling than perfecting a difficult level after several bouts of trial-and-error.
VERDICT
Angry Birds Action is a worthwhile addition to the franchise, even if it fails to hit all the right marks.
WHAT IS ANGRY BIRDS ACTION?
Angry Birds Action! is the thirteenth game in the popular mobile franchise, linked directly to the upcoming film with the same distinct visuals and personality.
Despite the name, gameplay has seen some interesting changes, some of which feel fresh and exciting. Instead of using a slingshot, players launch birds around a small pinball-style arena, ricocheting off bouncy bumpers and explosive objects. It’s a fun, refreshing way to approach a tired formula, and is definitely worth a look.
THE GOOD
Much like other games in the series, Angry Birds Action is easy to pick up and play. It harbours the same control scheme as its predecessors, but from a completely new perspective. Each level is played from a bird’s-eye view, letting you survey the surroundings before launching your artillery.
Birds ricochet like pinballs as they slam into obstacles, ricocheting violently that’ll almost make you feel bad for the little guys. I was surprised by how strategic I had to be in later levels, with each victory feeling like a genuine triumph. This would feel even better if the strategy utilised felt more significant.
The ammunition (birds) at your disposal remains the same as in previous Angry Birds games, although their abilities have seen some subtle tweaks. The adjustments prevent the Action from being too familiar to its predecessors. Experimentation felt worthwhile, even if the game will seldom present much challenge to veterans.
Some levels also contain unique objectives, such as collecting sweets or saving a bunch of bird eggs. They all follow the same template, but it’s nice to see some variety in how each stage is completed beyond destroying everything.
download angrybird 2
One neat new feature is the introduction of augmented-reality minigames obtained by scanning QR codes found in the real world. These can be found in specific retailers, McDonald's Happy Meals and LEGO sets.
THE BAD
The new aesthetic, identical in style to the upcoming CGI film, isn’t the greatest. Granted, the birds possess more personality, but they lack the irrational anger and goofy sound effects I loved in the original games. This isn’t helped by the game’s at times ropey perfomance.
Despite the introduction of new gameplay mechanics, the stale cast of characters and abilities feel dated and boring after a while. Because of this new mechanics feel stifled, putting innovation to the wayside in favour of familiarity. It’s still fun, but it plays things far too safe to leave a lasting impression.
Fans of the series will love it regardless, as it retains the addictive elements and rewarding progression found in older titles. There is no better feeling than perfecting a difficult level after several bouts of trial-and-error.
VERDICT
Angry Birds Action is a worthwhile addition to the franchise, even if it fails to hit all the right marks.
