The second installment in my "Let's Kongregate" series focuses on the best flash platformer I have ever played. Actually, it's one of the best 2D platformers I've played in a long time. So here it is, Fancy Pants Adventure: World 2. If you're like me and are a strict canonist for everything and can't play a '2' before a '1' then have no worries because this game has no arching storying the first one feels like more of a tech demo after playing World 2 - this is a game you want to play.



While the game is fresh and original, influences from early 2D platformers can most definitely be felt. The most obvious is Sonic 2 because of the loop-de-loop running that you do and the collecting of "squiggles" (which are like rings). However, while Sonic 2 was for the most part a strictly 'left to right' type of game, Fancy Pants has you going all over the place. You'll go in pretty much every direction looking for the exit door in each level.



"What's the plot?" you may be asking. Well, it's pretty epic. You are awarded a chocolate ice cream cone by the mayor of Squiggleville when a giant rabbit pops out of a hole, steals it, and then runs off. Being a man of fancy pants, Fancy Pants takes off after the rabbit. What ensues is a short but very inspired platforming adventure that I can guarantee fans of the genre will love.

The graphics in the game aren't good but they are charming and have an auteur quality about them that is seen by other great game designer such as Ninja Kiwi, creators of the Bloon series. Everything from the enemies to the backgrounds to the items are all hand drawn by the games creator Brad Borne. It's simplistic but it works.

The best part of this game, to me, someone who is very much into flash games, is the inclusion of bonus levels and trophies created by other game designers hidden in each level throughout the game. For example, Afro Ninja who created the "Escape from" games made his level themed after a Ninja Training Dojo with spikes all over the wall, you have to time your jumps and runs up the wall to get his Afro Pick trophy. Several other flash game "celebrity" designers make appearances in the game as well each with their own uniquely styled level.



If you're a member of Kongregate then you'll be happy to know that you can get some badges from playing the game. So far I've managed to get three of the four and it was some of the best gaming I've done in a long time. Alright stop reading and, go play the game, and feel free to leave your thoughts on the game below.


Volume 1: Bloons