From the title alone, it's pretty easy to tell that Frenchy Bird is yet another in the line of Flappy Bird imitators released on the Wii U eShop. Yet whereas some of its competitors have been content to merely replicate the feel of the original, Frenchy Bird makes the bold move of replicating it with personality. Goofy music, surprisingly decent graphics and unlockable stamps to post on Miiverse make this arguably the definitive clone of Dong Nguyen's original sensation on Nintendo platforms. Of course, that isn't saying much considering the fact that Flappy Bird itself "borrowed" quite a few elements from other games, but if you've got to subject yourself to this sort of thing, you won't find a better way on Wii U.
It's difficult to discuss a game in detail that has so little to offer in the gameplay department. One of the particularly confusing things about Frenchy Bird — and all the other versions of this same concept that came before it — is the fact that it appears on a home console at all. Clearly, these simplistic stylings were better served on mobile devices, where people have a vested interest in wasting time. There's simply not much to experience here: just repeatedly hit the button to avoid the obstacles jutting out from the top and bottom of the screen until you eventually fail. This was a novelty when it first appeared in 2013 (and was little more than a guilty pleasure among those who did find themselves playing extensively), but almost two years later this idea has been shamelessly repeated time and time again with almost no variation. It would be remarkable if your interest were held more than a few minutes at most — and you don't need to be an economics expert to know that isn't a very good value, even for $1.99.
Frenchy Bird does deserve a little credit, though. It manages to infuse a bit more personality into these tired proceedings than you might expect thanks to an appealing presentation. The graphics are fairly simple, but the use of 3D models and a different angle of perspective are nice touches. Miiverse integration with unlockable stamps is an interesting addition as well, especially since there's not a whole lot of conversation to be had about the game itself, but hey — you can unlock a baguette stamp, which pretty much blows all prior stamps out of the water. Bonus points for the game's whimsically stereotypical French accordion music, which admittedly did give this reviewer one chuckle upon starting the game up. That's one more chuckle than fellow flapping title Flapp & Zegeta got.
Conclusion
If you can afford the luxury of paying $1.99 for a few minutes of amusement, maybe Frenchy Bird's your thing. For the rest of us, however, the charming presentation — while a nice break from the usual blandness of these clones — is not nearly enough to justify the asking price. This is the same recycled thing we've seen over and over in the two years since Dong Nguyen had a surprise hit, and it's high time this vapid avian adventure took a permanent vacation.
Comments 20
Nice to see a developer put some effort into a Flappy Bird clone, but I have to ask what the point is? Surely the time spent creating 3D models, music and art for this game would have been best served working on something more worthwhile.
Edit: However, the developer has to be commended for the polish put into this game. When it comes down to it, there is demand for Flappy Bird clones - why can't developers take advantage of this?
While other developers lazily threw together a passable Flappy Bird clone in order to reach the market first, Carbon Fire Studio have delivered a quality product for those that want it.
Expected...
Its just so ugly, I wouldn't want to look at it tbh.
I hate to see a developer waste their potential on something completely unoriginal.
sighs ...eShop is slowly turning into the iTunes app store. :/
Not sure if @HylianJowi would agree but I find it so hard to even recommend some of these budget titles (even when they are well made) when you have games that are fully featured like Gunman Clive 2 for a dollar more. I had some fun with Frenchy Bird but I can't say I would spend money on it. eShop is at such a weird place at the moment and I am constantly struggling with how to deal with the changing landscape.
pass
@TylerTreese Oh yes, I would agree. Gunman Clive and its sequel are excellent examples — but then there are also flash sales on rival platforms with FULL GAMES from 99 cents to a few dollars. 2 bucks doesn't seem like a lot, but for what you get here it's actually a ripoff.
I try to assess these games as fairly as possible and find something to enjoy, but many just don't have much content at all. Say what you want about Nintendo, they do offer excellent value for their asking prices. Just wish some indies and third parties would take note.
I might wait until this goes on sale
Alright Im so glad Australias rating board is so expensive haha, Our E shop only has the best indie games on it and no crap like this at all
Hon hon, baguette, Eiffel Tower
If it goes on sale I might get it but until then I'm going to pass.
...so is the titular Frenchy Bird at all related to Sakuya Le Bel Shirogane?
I'm waiting for the sequel
Still think "Paris Pigeon" would have been a better name.
And yeah, its worthless for $1.99, but if you compare it to the $30 Angry Bird Trilogy which you can play for free everywhere else that $1.99 looks like an absolute bargain.
Nintendo are starting to make me wonder... First that Meme run 0/10 pile of junk makes it to the eShop and now they are adding stuff like this. Sad times indeed. Nintendo = Quality to me but in the last year they are starting to make me lose sight of that once amazing thing they had about them.
Maybe another try could do a better game. Nice touch in this game to give miiverse stamps and better characterization.
"The definitive clone". That's something I guess. Or not.
it's just really cosmetic make over but pretty decent one.
I do like endless runners and since am the only one who hasn't played flappy bird I thought I'd give it ago.
It's quite addictive but I do think they could of added little more to flesh out the package.
I like that there are online leaderboards, miiverse stamps plus developer did comment on my post on miiverse saying if people do buy game then possibly a update may become available to add more stamps in future.
I'd give 6/10
Yea gotta remember that this Is just a opinion of reviewer and that's fine.
I thought wasnt that bad to behonest.
It's not amazing and it is quite difficult but does have that one more go gameplay.
And what can you really buy for £1.79 these days not bloody much lol 🐦
Three stars? Just how bad is it?
So basically the review says:
"The genre sucks, it's unoriginal, but hey: at least they put the tiniest bit of effort into it."
Yeah, I'll never buy anything like this.
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