They say imitation is the biggest form of flattery. Indeed, after Flappy Bird was removed from the App Store, a number of clones have appeared.
Two of these games come from the Philippines. While one has the similar code and graphics taken directly from Flappy Bird, the other one was a rather simple but charmingly made Flappy Bird-inspired App.
Flappy Tanda
If you are from the Philippines, you probably know that the government has 2 senators that seemingly go against each other every time, even more so in the past 2 years. I’m talking about Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago and Juan Ponce Enrile. With this in mind, a game developer made them into a game called Flappy Tanda.
The game pretty much plays like Flappy Bird. While definitely rough around the edges, the experience is definitely an entertaining affair. Why is that? Perhaps it can be attributed to the developer’s use of 2 key figures in contemporary Philippine politics. I mean, these two politicians have been exchanging words with each other. The image of Enrile as a bird trying to get past on the pipes (Santiago) is a mimicry of the real world, wherein every action of the formeris being critiqued by the latter.
Flappy Tanda can be played on the desktop and it looks really simple.
If you want a better alternative to Flappy Bird, here’s another one:
Pugo
Now this Flappy Bird clone is a little stylish.
Meet Pugo, a free gaming app inspired by Flappy Bird and created by couple Patrick and Camby Cambral. While the two have been brainstorming a lot of concepts for the app they wanted to make, they have decided to stick to something simple. Thus Pugo was developed in 10 days. The game is free and is supported by in-game advertisements.
If you play through Pugo, you will notice its striking similarity with Flappy Bird. You tap and tap while avoiding the ceilings and the floor. Obstacles this time round include bushes and trees. Unlike Flappy Bird, the gaps on the upper and lower obstacles are wider. This gives the pugo (or quail in English) much more room in navigating. Lives can also be collected to prolong the journey.
What sets Pugo apart from Flappy Bird are its artistic design and detailed illustration. Nothing spectacular, but the font and background complement each other. The Filipino references, such as the flag and the sun, remind Filipinos who play the game of the country, especially for those who are abroad.
Whatever artistry was put in Pugo’s development, you can say that it is still a clone of Flappy Bird. Flappy Bird’s disappearance has definitely created a gap in the mobile gaming world; Pugo and other Flappy Bird-inspired apps are now trying to fill that space.
Also read: Flappy Bird: The viral rise, unexpected take down, and successor Squishy Bird