Critical Play — Theme Only Games
Introduction
I recently played Cut the Rope and Angry Birds 2, two physics-based games available on iOS and other platforms. These games are known for the extremely clear aesthetic and direction, which supplements the mechanics of their physics-based obstacles.
Mechanics
In Cut the Rope, the user is attempting to cut various ropes at the correct times in order to deliver a piece of candy to our little monster friend. The ropes continue to have more difficult and interesting obstacles or tools, like bubbles that float the candy up until you pop them or squirt guns that can move the candy. Importantly, the candy must always be in a bubble or connected to a rope, or else it will fall off the grid.
This game utilizes a set of physics-based mechanics to create the underlying architecture. It’s often the case that you must time your cuts correctly in order to take advantage of some momentum that the candy has — but, like in real life, the candy will decelerate and come to a halt after swinging around on its rope.
In Angry Birds 2, the player catapults birds into structures to defeat the vicious, enemy green pigs. When catapulting a bird, you must consider what part of the structure you want to hit (and thus damage), with the goal of producing the most damage across the board. Additionally, each bird has special powers that can activate when near the structure. For example, one of the birds becomes a bomb when you click on it. Click too early and you will have wasted your bird!
Aesthetics & Theme
In both Cut the Rope and Angry Birds 2, the mechanics are not necessarily innovative. There are many situations in which we could apply projectile physics (like throwing a rock) or keeping an item from falling (like Brick Breaker.) Instead, it is the unique aesthetics and themes that makes these games so fun and addictive.
Cut the Rope utilizes a theme of candy and small monsters to create a childlike, innocent environment. This makes the game accessible to any player of any age. It also makes the game extremely relaxing as the player works through the various levels, as there is vary little distraction or upsetting material — you’re just delivering candy! Thus, by creating an enjoyable and relaxing aesthetic, Cut the Rope creates a new environment for its basic premise (keep the “candy” from falling) that leads to limitless fun.
Angry Birds 2 also utilizes a more childlike environment, although it is far from innocent. As you attack the pigs, you are being tasked with creating as much destruction as possible. This creates its own sense of appeal for users of all age groups, as the theme feels more mission-oriented than Cut the Rope. You recognize at every level that you have an enemy (which is not included in Cut the Rope) and that your goal is to conquer this enemy. While the aesthetics may still be cartoonish, the motivating background feels quite different due to this change in theme!
Types of Fun
I believe both of these games generally rely on challenge to provide fun. The player attempts to recognize the complex physical structures and movements established in the game, creating increasingly difficult scenarios. This becomes especially challenging at the later levels, where there are typically more difficult obstacles in Cut the Rope and more pigs in Angry Birds 2. I would also argue that Angry Birds 2 also uses a bit of narrative, as you are able to unlock new birds to utilize as you journey through the various challenges.
Conclusion
Ultimately, I found both Cut the Rope and Angry Birds 2 to be fun games with low barriers for entry. I understand why they have remained so popular on the App Store!
