Ever since Vampire Survivors became a sensation, it seems like every major video game franchise is scrambling to make their own auto-combat focused game. The latest attempt comes via Rovio and Angry Birds Kingdom, and to my shock, it's not too bad!
Angry Birds and Vampire Survivors may not seem like an obvious fit, but Rovio has put its own unique spin on this type of gameplay. Instead of sticking to one map and fighting hordes of enemies (pigs, naturally), Angry Birds Kingdom has players move through smaller waves. And to help take these waves down in classic Angry Birds fashion, the small team of birds you control can be fitted into a slingshot and flung at enemies.
While I wouldn't go so far as to call Angry Birds Kingdom completely original, it definitely has a feel all its own, enough to make it worth checking out even if you've poured dozens of hours into Vampire Survivors and its many imitators like I have. There's even a cool, if limited, kingdom building sim that you get to contribute towards in between levels.
The only downside is that, of course, it's a free-to-play game full of the usual live service game monetization. Expect to be asked to watch ads to double your rewards constantly, and to get tempted with offers for bundles purchasable with real money, not to mention the expected battle pass and character power grinding and so on. Still a fun game, but consider yourself warned!