My, how you've grown! Every kid has heard this exclamation when bumping into a relative they haven't seen in a while, and I must admit I had much the same reaction after loading up Klik! Games' second iteration of FastBall for the first time.

FastBall 2 Review

Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger

My, how you’ve grown! Every kid has heard this exclamation when bumping into a relative they haven’t seen in a while, and I must admit I had much the same reaction after loading up Klik! Games’ second iteration of FastBall for the first time.

FastBall 2 is still recognisably Fastball; but from the outset it’s evident its developers have gone back to the drawing board in terms of the game’s presentation. And the results look – and sound – fantastic! Gone are the stripped-down, functional graphics of the first game, and in their place we get vibrant, cartoony visuals that all but pop off the screen. Oh, and an incredibly catchy soundtrack to boot.

Yet beneath this pleasingly glossy new surface, the hard-as-nails tap ‘n’ jump, survival platforming that made the original such a blast is still present and accounted for. For those of you who didn’t sample the simplistic delights of that title, allow me to fill you in: FastBall, as the name implies, is all about speed – demanding quick wits and an even quicker finger as the short and sweet levels unfold at a break-neck pace.

The graphics might have been upgraded this time around, but the core gameplay and controls remain unchanged, and are as intuitive as ever. As an unstoppable red ball hurtles through Super Mario-esque sky-tracks, you must help it jump over obstacles and from platform to platform, collecting golden stars as you go. That’s it. No virtual d-pad or overly complicated and fiddly controls to worry about. You’ve simply got to tap to jump.

As ever, the relentlessly rapid pace provides an enjoyable challenge and will really test your reactions. While a variety of new gameplay tweaks here and there, such as the addition of speed zones, long jump blocks and direction signs, add an element of surprise to the proceedings for the returning player. The ability to skip problematic levels and switch the theme of the back-drop are also welcome and well implemented features.

If you enjoyed the first game, be advised this is basically just more of the same with prettier graphics. But, if like me, you’ve got fond memories of FastBall, now’s a good time to get reacquainted with the series.


iFanzine Verdict: FastBall 2 retains what made the first game so darn fun, while subtlety tweaking the winning formula and giving environments a much needed graphical boost. A solid, if a tad unadventurous, sequel.

[xrr rating=3.5/5]

Enjoy the review? Get the game on iTunes.