Tiny Wings – Review – Fly across hills with just a touch of a finger

Our rating:

By: Andreas Illiger

Version #: 1.1.3

Date Released: 2011-09-21

Developer: Andreas Illiger

Price: 0.99

User Rating:

Loading...

Download App

The small bird that is the main and only character in Tiny Wings has one big problem. The poor thing has, as suggested by the game’s name, tiny wings, which render him practically flightless. This is rather unfortunate, since he wants nothing but to be able to fly and touch the clouds. Good thing he’s in an island lined with hills on which to slide and from which to jump off into the sky. Good thing he has you, dear iPhone gamer, to count on to help him fly.

Tiny Wings is one of the first iPhone games to popularize the simple method of controlling a character using just one finger. You tap and hold anywhere on the screen to fold the bird’s wings and effectively make him heavier. This action is advisable while the bird is sliding downhill or right when he’s about to hit a downward slope, causing him to gain speed, which in turn allows for a better flight. On the contrary, when you release your finger or anytime the screen is untouched, the bird flaps his wings and becomes lightweight. This is recommended for when he is sliding upward or when soaring across numerous hills while no salutary downward slope is in sight.

As always, practice is key to mastering the bird’s movement and flight. Once you get used to the physics of the game, however, you’ll be well-equipped to guide the little fella, not only in sliding on hills but also in collecting coins and speed boosters and even in soaring to another island with more hills. Be quick, though, as the sun is on the bird’s tail; the game ends as soon as sun sets and night falls and the bird goes back to sleep.

Tiny Wings is addictive primarily because it’s ridiculously simple to operate, but it also owes its charm to its watercolor graphics (the patterns on the hills change every time you launch the game) and relaxing music. A number of sets of three achievements each are also presented as challenges in order to increase the score multiplier. But above all, there’s a certain exhilaration to be had in hearing the little bird shout “Yahooooo!” every time he soars to cross to another island and a degree of satisfaction in helping him, tiny wings and all, live out his dream of flying, if only for a day.