Fans of the famous "Angry Birds" franchise, rejoice! "Angry Birds AR" is coming to iOS and will be allowing players to shoot the familiar birds into the real world, using nothing but an iPhone or iPad.
For those that aren't familiar with the Angry Birds games, players are tasked to eliminate pigs by shooting birds from a slingshot. Players have to find the best angle and the right amount of pull to hit a pig or a structure that would lead to the swine's demise. Levels are set in a 2D world, and players swipe on a screen to shoot.
"Angry Birds AR: Isle of Pigs" is the latest installment to the long-running blockbuster franchise that introduced many to the world of mobile casual gaming. Engadget says that unlike older versions, the game levels in Isle of Pigs are set in 3D and in real-world locations.
These locations don't need to be somewhere fancy. Players can play a game as long as they have a flat surface where the game, using Apple's ARKit, can build a virtual stage. Pointing a supported iOS device to surfaces such as tables and floors results in having virtual structures with pigs and birds appear on the screen.
This game is largely similar to an earlier title, "First Person Slingshot." That game, however, required players to wear a Magic Leap AR headset to play. Isle of Pigs doesn't require players to wear an expensive headset, but it still retains the same gameplay.
Players will see a virtual stage via their screens. They can move around and carefully examine structural weak points they can take advantage of, or at least look for a better angle from where to shoot a bird.
Unlike First Person Slingshot, shooting a bird is as easy as swiping a finger down the screen. While the game can be played in landscape mode, playing it in portrait mode allows for one-hand bird-slinging action.
Players can also move close to the virtual stage to set up a clear shot that will never miss. Moving closer, however, elicits taunts from the pigs. Nevertheless, hitting them is what matters, so go closer anyway.
Engadget notes that Isle of Pigs is done very well. The stages are highly detailed, the slingshot mechanics are perfect, and the characters have their own interesting personalities. It's good enough to warrant players to spend more time on it, including those who have stopped playing the franchise.
"Angry Birds AR: Isle of Pigs" is now available for pre-order.
