The Angry Birds are back, and they are still in space. This time, however, they are in a fictional version of space. Although, you probably already heard most of the hype surrounding the new Angry Birds title, because of its acclaimed licensing, we’re going to pretend like the story is fresh. Just what are we talking about exactly?

The latest game in Rovio’s, bird-flinging series is Angry Birds Star Wars. Enough said.

The whole Angry Birds game has been themed with characters and locations from the Star Wars universe. Making appearances are Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, R2D2, C3PO, the fabled Death Star, and more!

Of course, the game still plays just like the original Angry Birds; you’re still flinging birds into foul ol’ piggies with a giant slingshot. The birds have been outfitted with costumes that match renowned Star Wars characters, and they’ve also been revamped with new Star Wars themed abilities.

A lot of folks were worried that the game wouldn’t live up to all the hype because let’s face it, Star Wars is well… Star Wars. That being said, just the thought of keeping the same tried and true Angry Birds formula and mixing it with a Star Wars theme is fantastic! Just how does the actual mashup of the two separate franchises translate in a game, though? We’re going to tell you.

Angry Birds Star Wars Review

It’s the same Angry Birds gameplay that we know and love. In Angry Birds Star Wars, you’re still launching birds with a slingshot at different structures, in an attempt to bring the landscape crashing down on the evil piggies heads. You adjust the launch trajectory and angles before firing, and use your special abilities at just the right moment (by tapping the device a second time when the birds are in mid-air) to dispatch all of the enemies. At the end of each level, you are awarded a number score based on how efficiently you dispatched the enemies and how many birds are left. Your score is then graded on a three star scale, and you either move on to the next level or you’re forced to try again.

As for the new Star Wars characters, there is a Luke Skywalker bird that swings a lightsaber on command. A Han Solo bird also appears, he shoots blasters along the same direction of his trajectory, and an Obi Wan Kenobi character that uses the force and blasts in the direction you tap your finger. R2D2, C3PO, and Princess Leia also make appearances in later levels.

Angry Birds Star Wars Content

In the free version of the game, there are 80 levels to play with eleven bonus levels that are unlockable after completing various challenges. In the standard levels, you can explore Tatooine and the Death Star. A free update is coming soon that will allow you to play on Hoth, as well. If you have the dough, you can buy another round of forty levels in Dagobah called “Path of the Jedi,” for $1.99. The free version of Angry Birds Star Wars includes unobtrusive advertisements, but they can be removed for $0.99.

If you can’t get past a particular level, you can purchase a bunch of Angry Falcons to help out. The Angry Falcon is a consumable item that summons a Millenium Falcon to lay down blaster fire on an entire level, essentially allowing you a free pass. 20 Falcons are $1.99, 50 Falcons are $4.99, 100 Falcons are $9.99, and 200 Falcons are $19.99.

Of course, you can play through the entire game without spending a dime if you so desire.

The levels include puzzles that span the entire Angry Birds series. There are the standard structures, which the stormtrooper piggies are hiding under. There are also the gravity bubbles that originally made an appearance in Angry Birds Space.

The audio is comprised entirely of Star Wars themed sound effects, and brings on a definite feeling of nostalgia as you play. The usual blaster fire sound is there, the tinny sound of the stormtrooper voices are there (albeit in piggy oinks and grunts), and the positive and unique theme music is there too.

Angry Birds Star Wars is Available Now

Angry Birds Star Wars is available for PC, iOS and Android and comes in a free, ad-supported version and an additional pay version. If you hate in-game advertisements you can get the premium game for $0.99, which isn’t bad at all. Rovio has always been extraordinarily generous about free content updates, so it’s highly probable that we will see even more planets after Hoth has been added.

If you love the Angry Birds franchise and want to experience some new bird-flinging action, in the same formula, then Angry Birds Star Wars won’t disappoint. If you’ve never played Angry Birds before, but are an avid fan of the Star Wars franchise, give it a try, you might be pleasantly surprised.

If you’re sick and tired of Angry Birds though, there actually isn’t anything revolutionary here besides the general theme. That means stay away from Angry Birds Star Wars if you hate the original games.