Game Review: Angry Birds 2 (Android/iOS)

Angry Birds 2 is the direct sequel to the ever popular mobile game Angry Birds. I would have been the last person to say this game needed a sequel, mostly because of the shovel-ware which has come from the franchise since its inception, but Angry Birds 2 took me completely by surprise and is actually a very compelling experience.

Premise:

The core gameplay of Angry birds 2 goes mostly unchanged from its predecessors. The pigs stole the bird's eggs, now the birds are angry! Shoot birds out of a slingshot to smash pigs and get the eggs back!

Visuals:

Example of visuals

Where do I start?  The visuals in this game are gorgeous!  Characters and environments all have bright and vibrant colors which go nicely together.  The characters have high quality animations, and they really get you into the mood!  There was also some really cool slow-mo stuff in there.  You really feel like you're beating up those pigs!

During the destruction, sometimes debris and even pigs will fly towards the player!  I found this to be a very immersive touch.  It makes you feel like you're actually there witnessing the destruction.

I also noticed that the levels have around 8 planes of foregrounds and backgrounds which move with the in-game camera.  Some of the backgrounds are animated as well. This provides a very dynamic and alive look to the environments.

The cutscenes are also a lot of fun.

Menus/Interface:

Menu on the Angry Birds 2 Overworld

 Everything is placed where they are easy to access, and almost everything is self explanatory.  No problems here!

Gameplay/Controls:

Yet again, everything is extremely slick and well polished.

Compared to the first Angry Birds, I much prefer this one's gameplay.  This game puts far more emphasis on the proper areas to use your birds, instead of blindly firing them and hoping they actually do something.  It also provides a type of targeting computer, which makes aiming a whole lot less frustrating, so it is easier to make precise strategic strikes.

One issue though is its emphasis on buying in-game items with real-world currency.  I understand that Rovio needs to make money, so this is merely a minor complaint.

Also, an important gameplay change.  To stop using a bird when you've already put your hand on the slingshot, merely aim the bird to shoot in the backwards direction (Left), and it will cancel the action without wasting a bird.  I feel this is a simple yet needed change to the original game.  Far too many times I would accidentally fire a bird I didn't want to.

Summary:

A very polished and well executed game, not to mention more intelligent than its predecessor.  A reinvigorated look at an old concept. I personally couldn't help smiling like an idiot as I pulled the bird back and fired it at the pigs, only to have the pigs completely freak out as their fortress was destroyed.
I strongly recommend this to anyone.

SCORE:  9/10