Angry Birds 2
Cool new look, but monetization, new model mar a classic.
Angry Birds 2
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this app.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Angry Birds 2 features the same characters, theme, and physics-puzzle style as the other games in the franchise, but rather than being a self-contained, paid app, this is both social and freemium (free-to-play but with lots of in-app purchases and pushes to connect to social media). Parents also should note there is a large gallery of both Angry Birds-branded and similarly themed cartoons that are free to watch, but there are advertisements between episodes. Also, there's no parent gate between your kid and in-app purchases.
Community Reviews
Cheapest developers!
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The game can get stuck.
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What’s It About?
ANGRY BIRDS 2 doesn't alter the bizarre backstory behind the original hit game: Mean, green pigs sneaked into some birds' nests and stole their eggs. Enraged, the birds swear revenge, and the game starts. Pigs hide in ever-more-complex structures, and players have to use a slingshot to catapult birds at them in the hopes of crushing the pigs. Different birds have varied abilities, as they did before. In Angry Birds 2, however, you move along a map, and on each level you get certain "bird cards" and choose which bird is best suited to the task. If a player runs out of cards before completing the goal, she can buy more cards with in-game currency or real money. Watching video advertisements also earns more chances. Another notable change is that levels are no longer the same every time you play them; nor are the birds you get to solve the puzzles.
Is It Any Good?
From a production-quality standpoint, the game is excellent, but loyal fans might be disappointed with the focus on Facebook, ads, and microtransactions. The animation is highly polished, and the core gameplay is just as compelling. The controls work brilliantly, and the level of difficulty actually seems easier, at least on earlier levels, which makes it fun for kids. Unfortunately, the game is so highly integrated with Facebook that Angry Birds fans under 13 are left out of the gift giving, tournaments, and score sharing. Also, parents may hesitate to let younger kids play now that it's so easy to spend real money. For players who enjoyed the long-term strategy involved in beating certain levels, the sequel is far less satisfying, since levels and bird choices change. For quick bursts of bird flinging that rely less on carefully planned puzzle solving and more on playing the game often and socially, Angry Birds 2 is smashing fun.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about cartoon violence and what makes it both entertaining and potentially harmful. How is it different from other types of violence in media?
Set expectations for in-app purchases, and tell kids your rules before downloading.
Talk to your kids about the video ads and the Angry Birds franchise. Why does it include ads in the app, and what's the appeal of other Angry Birds products?
App Details
- Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android
- Pricing structure: Free (The game is free to download but there are lots of in-app purchases)
- Release date: July 30, 2015
- Category: Puzzle Games
- Publisher: Rovio Entertainment Ltd
- Version: 2.0.1
- Minimum software requirements: iOS 7.0 or later; Android 4.0 and up
- Last updated: July 27, 2016
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