If you've had a BlackBerry PlayBook for more than, lets say six months, you would have experienced the lack of games and apps on the new platform. But, that's all changed. Not only are we seeing an influx in games for the PlayBook, those developers are also porting some of their titles onto the BlackBerry 7 platform. The latest game I'm taking a look at is available on both the BlackBerry PlayBook, and also on many BlackBerry smartphones.
Tiny Bird for the BlackBerry is an action packed, and might I say addicting game where your sole mission is to reach the end of the islands. The game features a small winged bird that doesn't have much of a capacity for flying, so your job is to help it land and use the hills on each island to propel it into the clouds. Continue reading to see how this game stacks up to similar games available on other platforms.
The Review
| Developer: SolverLabs | Version (at time of review): 1.5.1 |
| File Size: 29 MB | OS Requirements: Tablet 2.0.0 or higher and OS 6 and higher |
| Cost: $.99 | Website: http://solverlabs.com/ |
Game controls
Controlling your way through the various islands is pretty straightforward, just tap and let go. The game features a very simple game control system which allows you to control the birds flight by holding down your finger on the screen to help the bird fall, and taking your finger off to let the bird utilize the hills and fly away.
Game graphics
Tiny Bird has very simple and cartoonish graphics, but they're perfect. The game features islands that are designed to be attractive and colorful. In the background, you will see clouds and other islands that are off in the distance. But, be carful as the visuals can sometimes be deceiving and cause you to crash and get swooped up by the tornado.
Game play
The idea behind Tiny Bird is quite clear; get away from the raging tornado. See, isn't that simple? Well, let's back this up a little and dive into the game a bit more before Tiny Bird gets the 'Simple Game' title. The game consists of islands that contain a heck of a lot of hills, and it's your job to utilize those hills and help propel your bird from a tornado that's right behind you. Now, along your journey from island to island you'll see stars and gems along the way. The stars will help you keep the tornado and bay, and the gems will give you that extra boost of speed you need to get through the tougher times. So, simple game play? Yeah for sure, but easy to beat, that I don't think so. But you are the judge.
Replay value
While there is no online multiplayer with Tiny Bird, which would be cool, there are unlockable achievements and local leader boards. Some of the achievements are things like fly into the clouds and obtain 800 points on the fist island. By completing achievements, you will gain a higher points that will allow you to rank higher on the local leader board. One complaint would be with the use of local leader boards. With a local system there is certainly no competition aspect to the game, lowering the titles replay value in my mind.
The Good
- Fun, entertaining game
- Creative graphics and characters
- Unlockable achievements
- Local leaderboards
- Simple controls
The Bad
- No online leaderboards
- No multiplayer (local or online)
- No ability to turn off music or sound effects
Conclusion
While Tiny Bird isn't a direct competitor to its iOS counter part Tiny Wings, it's definatly worth the download on the BlackBerry PlayBook. The game features an addictive gameplay, creative graphics, and unlockable achievements. There were a few things missing that kind of baffled me, and one was an online leader board. Online leaderboards are an easy addition that increases game replay value, and Scoreloop is simple and available to BlackBerry devs.
Tiny Bird
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Tiny Bird is an addictive little game. With creative graphics, unlockable achievements, and local leaderboards you'll be playing for hours as you leap from island to island. |
 Sadly the developers of Tiny Bird have done a fantastic job with the game as a whole, they've left out things like multiplayer and online leaderboards. Without these two additions, they've actually limited the replay value. |
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Purchase Tiny Bird for the BlackBerry PlayBook and BlackBerry smartphones |
Reader comments
Journey with us as we fly from island to island in the review of Tiny Bird for BlackBerry
i am going to have to check this out
I nearly had a heart attack when I saw 29 mb. You might want to put a dot in there lol
My version on 9930 can turn ON & OFF the sounds
this game is similar to Dillo Hills. Which in my opinion is better. I guess though this game plays on BB7 phones so that's the only plus it has over the Dillo Hills. It's still a fun game though.
I find the "rip off" games sad and embarrassing. I would not give the developers a penny for stealing the Tiny Wings concept and releasing a shoddy counterpart on BB platform.
"rip off" games only exist because the original developers choose not to support a specific platform. That's their choice, and as such can't complain when a developer who is willing to support said platform steps in to fill the gap. I would encourage all developers to build quality "rip off" apps if they see the original developer has no plans to bring their app to their preferred platform in a timely fashion. However, I would of course prefer the original developers bring their apps to all major platforms and if they promise to do so in a timely fashion then I would discourage the development of "rip off" apps so that new developers to a platform will be rewarded for their original creations.
this is an exceedingly stupid argument, sorry to say.
So it's okay to rip-off another developer's concept just because the dev may be too busy to bring out an app on the BB platform?
That's just as deranged as applauding a 100% perfect clone of the 9900 running Android simply because RIM is 'not willing to support' Android.
Sorry my friend, you must have spent your whole life in a dark room to take such a stance. The entire world, virtually every business and product you interact with daily contradict your beliefs. I hate to burst your bubble, but ALL those businesses and products are "rip offs" of other businesses and products. Why do you think the software business should be any different? Do you only watch movies at the theatre where the first movie ever was shown? Do you only bowl where the first ever game of bowling was played? Do you only eat burgers where the the first ever hamburger was served? The entire world is a rip off of someone else's idea.
We live in a capitalist system and devs need to play by its rules. If you come up with a great idea, you better be ready to saturate ALL markets if you want all the profits, because if you don't, some other devs will and SHOULD fill the void.
Tiny Wings was not an original concept either. This sort of game has been around for years. As others pointed out when we first posted about Dillo Hills back in early 2011, similar games such as Pilot Winds, Wavespark, and others were released before Tiny Wings. Heck, some people remember playing similiar games on their ATARIs.
Yes, similarly with Angry Birds. This game can be considered a "rip off" of Crush the Castle and prior to that, Castle Clout (their inspiration) or other Trebuchet-based physics launching projectile games.
However, nobody can argue after seeing the originals that Angry Birds took the game and brought it to mass-market appeal in a way none of the predecessors could!
First, they made the launch easy... Finger-pulling touch-screen-using feature, made touch screen interface a must-have. Also, rubber-band/sling-shot versus trebuchet makes it way easier (not that it is easy, but compared to a trebuchet launch it is way easier).
Also, the "story-line" about the Angry Birds vs. Pigs, having different types of projectile Birds with different powers, and the cute music all add to the mass appeal!
Anyway. I tried this game. It's actually decent.
I just wanna know, is hooooow do u fly to the clouds??? Is u taking a steep uphill?? Or wtf???