What is it about flinging little birds at green pigs that’s so addictive to a normally peace-loving, middle aged mom? I have many, many apps on my iPad, but the one I to which I keep returning day after day when I need some mindless occupation to distract me from work (and everything else) is Angry Birds from Rovio. I won't venture into the psychology of why this game is so appealing—or why it's one of the most popular apps for iPad and other platforms. I will only confess that I'm a true Angry Birds addict.
You see, there are these obnoxious green pigs and they’ve stolen the eggs of the poor defenseless bird community. They weren’t even green eggs. Just plain old eggs, straight from the feathered nest. Instead of taking it lying down, the birds have taken to the air—kamikaze style. Our mission is to help them take down the pigs wherever they hide—bunkered in or hunkered down behind glass, wood and brick.
It’s a simple game on its face. Little round red birds line up behind a sling shot, jumping into the saddle, as it were, when it’s their turn. Using your finger (and the iPad’s multi-touch abilities to great effect, you pull back on the sling shot, aim and fire away. The little red bird goes sailing at a trajectory, speed and force commensurate with the way you slung it from the sling shot. In subsequent levels, we are introduced to birds with special abilities: bluebirds that (when you touch the screen once they’re in flight) separate in to three birds; yellow birds that become supercharged; white albatross-like birds that drop egg bombs, and blackbirds that become ticking time bombs of destruction.
Article comments
1 - claire
Nice review. I wouldn't call this game mindless, as I surely release so much stress during play that my mind clears up afterwards. Absolutely love Angry Birds on my Apple. Thanks
2 - Alice
Playing a game like this can be therapeutic, as it is very helpful in shifting your mind state away from the stressful task at hand, to a more relaxed, impersonal task. Some may be wary in using this expensive device, to play video games, but there are many protective cases on the market, which will help to protect the tablet, while it is in use. One that we have found to work are iBallz, which serves to cushion the unit in order to provide 360 degree drop protection for it, while it is in use. It also elevates the unit off the table, which may protect from small spills and provides additional positioning and grip options. They are available online at www.iballz.info. Now you have one less thing to worry about, and can focus on destroying those pigs…