Angry Birds Space review

At schools and workplaces around the world, there’s a very real danger of no work whatsoever being achieved today. Whole countries’ economies will grind to a halt, as dried out tumbleweeds roll in an overly clichéd manner through deserted streets. The reason being that the number one distraction of the modern age, the pioneer of procrastination known formally as Angry Birds, has released its new title today, available on iOS, Android, PC and Mac. In fact, you’re most probably too busy playing it to read this blog. I had to have my Samsung Galaxy Ace mobile phone confiscated long enough for me to even write it.

Angry Birds Space is the fourth instalment in the hugely popular game series, following in the wake of the original Angry Birds, Angry Birds Seasons, and recent movie tie-in Angry Birds Rio. The series so far has catapulted (sorry) Finnish game manufacturer Rovio into the big league, with total downloads on all platforms recently passing the 500 million mark. This has made Angry Birds one of the biggest hits on the mobile market, and Angry Birds Space looks set to be the biggest yet.

Building on the existing format of firing avian ammunition at pea-green porkers, Angry Birds maintains everything you love about the series, with the welcome addition of new characters, scenarios and gameplay. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to slingshot a chubby red wingless bird in zero gravity, here’s your answer. Rovio have taken full advantage of the space setting, as you fire your feathered fleet around various planets, obstacles and gravitational pulls, which take the characters first one way, then the other. It’s a great addition to the Angry Birds gameplay, and opens up whole a new dynamic to the puzzle based focus of the series. The Birds themselves also have a new look, transformed into space-age superheroes with new powers and abilities.

NASA and Angry Birds Space

For Angry Birds Space, Rovio have teamed up with NASA for a mutually beneficial launch campaign. NASA have embraced the collaboration as a way to engage public interest in their space expeditions, as well as science and technology in general. If you head over to YouTube you can even view a video of NASA astronaut Don Pettit making physics fun by firing a fluffy Angry Bird down a corridor on board the International Space Station. Keep your eyes peeled for the International Space Station on the game’s menu, as well as other occasional NASA appearances throughout the game. Slightly less scientifically grounded is the in-game link to a YouTube animation which explains how the Angry Birds ended up in space. (It involves an ice-cube bird, a golden egg, a mechanical claw, and a swirling vortex. Obviously!)

More feathers to their cap..

Not content with merely launching Birds into space, however, Rovio have plans for the new title to launch Angry Birds into other areas of media too. Already selling by the proverbial bucketload is Angry Birds plush toys, clothing, and a Mattel Board game, with Angry Bird merchandise having already sold in excess of 10 million items. An animated holiday special entitled ‘Wreck the Halls’ was shown on Nickelodeon over Christmas, and a feature film outing is also in the works. Formula 1 fans can even spot Finnish driver Heikki Kovalainen sporting an Angry Birds crash helmet this season.

With more levels and add-ons planned, Angry Birds Space looks to be a huge release. Providing new characters and gameplay elements, Rovio have delivered a sequel that delivers more of what downloaders enjoyed previously, but with enough new twists to keep the format fresh, fun and very addictive. When they return from space, the Angry Birds look on the verge of conquering the world.

Can I have my mobile phone back now please?

Download Angry Birds Space from Google Play | iOS App Store

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