The ‘Angry Birds’ Ditch the Pigs for ‘Rio’ But are as Addicting as Ever

The birds are back and angrier than ever, thanks to the recent launch of “Angry Birds: Rio,” the third game in the “Angry Birds” series.

“Angry Birds: Rio” is based upon the upcoming movie, “Rio,” about a macaw that finds love and has to escape from poachers.

The only thing missing from “Rio” are the infamous green pigs that were the antagonists of the first two games. Instead, characters from “Rio” take their place.

If you’ve played either of the previous games, “Rio” may seem easy at first, but it’s still accessible to newcomers. It starts simple, with just the basic red birds, and smoothly gets more difficult from there.

As you progress through the 60 levels and two additional level packs that have been released so far, you’ll use everything but the fan-favorite big red bird and the black bomb bird. Hopefully those can be reintroduced in future level packs.

Despite the too-easy beginning, those who have played “Angry Birds” before will not be disappointed.

Along with the removal of the pigs and the addition of new enemies, the end of each level pack contains a boss level that ups the challenge and provides a much-needed change of pace.

Also absent are the golden eggs, which unlocked extra levels in previous games. In their place are golden fruits, which can be a challenge to find but serve no other purpose.

In the first extra downloadable level pack, “Smuggler’s Den,” you have to try to open bird cages to free birds from the movie. In the second level pack, “Jungle Escape,” you have to kill monkeys. In addition to the two level packs that come with the game, four more level packs are due out by the end of the year.

Unlike many games based upon movies, “Angry Birds: Rio” is well worth the asking price.

“Rio” brings some nice changes to the gameplay of the first two “Angry Birds” games and is just as addictive as its predecessors.

4 out of 5 stars