Unoriginal but fun platformer for kids
The original Nicky Boom introduced a largely uncaring world to a bland boy hero who engaged in the sort of platforming antics that Mario and Sonic can walk through in their sleep, but that didn't stop the developers from releasing a highly similar sequel. The original game saw Nicky taking on the evil witch Zoldrane after she kidnapped his grandfather, but this time he must defeat her sister, presumably out for revenge for the injustice heaped upon her sibling. What this means for players is that they are to explore a series of multi-directional scrolling levels, depicted in gloriously vibrant colours, and which are themed in traditional cutesy platformer style. Of course, there are numerous enemies standing in your way, including birds, mushrooms and bears, as well as slightly more imaginative golems and slugs, all of which can be defeated by jumping on them or by hurling apples in their general direction. A magic goose given to Nicky by his grandfather grants him the ability to fly, while some exploration is needed to successfully navigate the maze-like levels. Nicky Boom 2 is a highly straightforward platformer that, while it doesn't add much to the genre, is certainly enjoyable enough, particularly for younger gamers. The graphics are vibrant and colourful, with large sprites that move around at a good pace, although sound is somewhat limited to a repetitive soundtrack. The levels themselves are quite well designed, encouraging exploration and while the challenge is not overly high, there is some fun to be had here. Check out the Great Giana Sisters or its follow-up Twisted Dreams for some more interesting platforming action.
