Angry Birds 2 launches today

Rovio's Angry Birds franchise has seen plenty of spinoffs over the years, but today marks the launch of the game's first full-fledged sequel, Angry Birds 2.

Available today, Angry Birds 2 can be downloaded from all the major mobile digital storefronts completely free of charge; however, Rovio has adopted the business practices of other notable mobile games, like Candy Crush Saga and Kim Kardashian: Hollywood, to help offset the "free to play" model.

I've only played the first 20-or-so levels, but gameplay seems primarily the same as we've seen in the past — with the primary goal to topple towers and destroy pigs using a variety of different types of birds. Though the basic mechanics are primarily the same, Angry Birds 2 has much high production value, with improved and more interactive visuals. Not to mention, there's more depth to the design of the game, with multiple stages in each level, boss pigs, and new spells, including blizzards, magic ducks, and hot chili peppers, to wield against the pigs. And, for the first time, you can challenge other gamers across the world to a sling off in the Arena (I haven't tried this yet).

“Design technology has evolved dramatically since the original game launched in 2009,” says Rovio co-founder Niklas Hed. “With Angry Birds 2 we wanted to bring a level of expressive depth and detail seen previously only in a console game or animated series – and create a new game that kids and adults alike won’t be able to put down.”

“Angry Birds 2 doubles down on the core tenets of the original that our fans loved: destruction and more destruction!” added the game’s creative director Patrick Liu. “At the same time it adds a whole new layer of emergent strategy gameplay for both old and new fans to master.”

We're still in the process of working our way through the 200-plus levels Angry Birds 2 offers, but check back soon for our initial impressions. Or just check it out for yourself, it's free.