The creator of 'Flappy Bird' has a new game, and it's infuriatingly difficult
.GEARS
The creator of "Flappy Bird" is back with another smartphone game, and it's infuriatingly difficult.
"Swing Copters 2" is the free-to-play sequel to last year's "Swing Copters," which marked creator Dong Nguyen's re-entrance into the gaming world after he infamously pulled "Flappy Bird" from the App Store at the height of its popularity.
While it wasn't the viral sensation that "Flappy Bird" was, "Swing Copters" was equally simple in its gameplay mechanics and possibly more difficult. Now the sequel, which is available now in the App Store, has arrived.
.GEARS
If you played "Flappy Bird," you'll immediately get how to play "Swing Copters 2." The game is basically a vertical version of "Flappy Bird's" retro, side-scrolling level design.
You pilot a cute little 8-bit character with a copter-equipped hat through obstacles by tapping incessantly on the screen, which is nowhere near as easy as it sounds.
I tried playing "Swing Copters 2" and died every time before passing the first obstacle. After about 15 minutes, I got my high score to a whopping 1 point, which is a far cry from Dong's high score of 74.
In a FAQ with Dong's Vietnam-based game studio DotGears about the new game, Dong says "Swing Copters 2" is "much more challenging" than its predecessor. Besides the added difficulty, the graphics look improved and there's a new system for unlocking characters with unique abilities, similar to other arcade-style titles like "Crossy Road."
Like Dong's last two mobile games, "Swing Copters 2" has ads. You can pay a $0.99 in-app purchase to remove them and unlock more characters by paying $0.99 again. Otherwise, the characters will be unlocked as you (hopefully) progress through the game.
https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/677169220258402305
It's a game which I believe people will feel happy to play. Hopefully.
If you're looking to beat Dong's score, good luck. Even he doesn't know the key to playing his game well.
"Each player has their style of play," he says on the DotGears website. "Some people repetitively tap on the screen; some people tap slowly and more precisely. I don’t know which one is better."
One of the game's programmers, Trung Vu, does have some advice: "Make yourself relaxed when you play. Only tap when it is necessary."
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