Square Bird

When jumping into Square Bird we are treated to a vibrant, and simple side-scrolling 2D platformer. What a fascinating thing that this game, with its one-click mechanism, builds a tower of square eggs around the avian protagonist so that it can avoid obstacles in a way that seems downright simple at first glance and then, quickly, turns out not to be such a simple attention grabber at all.

The premise, helping your avian buddy find its way home safely, is as charming as it is simple. As you navigate through the game’s levels, each has a new challenge to offer, and this mix adds a sweet layer of complexity that isn’t present in many kid-centric games.

Other players’ feedback presents a mixed bag regarding the experience — while some find the progression satisfying, they say the added incentive of unlocking new birds and new worlds by collecting coins goes a long way toward making it rewarding. With some difficult spots over level 15 causing occasional glitch, this can be slightly annoying for gamers.

Built by Triangle Games but resurrected and with considerable chart success by Moonee, Square Bird has some kooky character. At its essence, it’s a tribute to the simple joys of gaming. Though it won’t win any prizes for innovating the first fire, it’s the sort of casual game you could find yourself reaching for again when you need a slightly light-hearted distraction.