Quick Review: Wood Woodpecker

WOODY WOODPECKER By Chillingo Ltd Cost: $0.99

Ah, nostalgia, you can be a great and wonderful thing, and then turn around a fail me.  I had missed the distinctive “ha-ha-HA-ha! ha ha-Ha-ha!” laugh of Woody Woodpecker that when I saw him pop up in the app store, I purchased without hesitation.  The game itself isn’t horrible, but it does disappoint my heart.

Woody Woodpecker [99¢ in the AppStore] is basically the game Tiny Wings [Also 99¢] without all the aspects and challenges that made Tiny Wings such an enjoyable game.  It is a side-scrolling race between five of the classic characters across a landscape of differing hills and slopes.  The presentation and look of the game itself is very nice and clean.  You have the option of racing with one of five characters – Woody Woodpecker, Chilly Willy, Winnie Woodpecker, Miss Meanie, and Buzz Buzzard.  Each has their own special characteristics including acceleration, form of transportation across the landscape and special weapon to help detour other opponents. 

The controls themselves are just like Tony Wings in that you hold your finger down to accelerate while you’re descending, and then lift your finger when your moving up the hills.  You even get points for a “perfect slide” just like in, yep; Tiny Wings. 

The game comes with two modes: Singe-player race, with thirty levels, or online multiplayer via the Game Center.

Woody Woodpecker is an easy, enjoyable game, and definitely has that nostalgic appeal.  While it clones Tiny Wings in many ways, it lacks what made that game challenging, with reaching islands and increased difficulty in reaching objectives.  With a few additions this game could be great for a more long-term appeal, but this game will probably just hold your attention for a couple of days, and is a good game for kids, while likely introducing them to everyone’s favorite woodpecker.