N+ - Playstation Portable (PSP) Previews


	Platform Playstation Portable (also coming to DS) Genre Action Publisher Atari Developer Raigan Burns and Mare Sheppard ETA August 26, 2008
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N+

N+ is a game that is both infuriating and addicting at the same time. The concept is a simple one: move your little stick figure ninja to markers within a self-contained level then head back to the start point to complete the level, all with no offensive abilities. It's simple but the exacting nature of the platforming - hit an enemy or fall too far and you'll start over again - make for a challenge.

As all portable games should be, most of the levels played in the demo version could be completed in under a minute - if done successfully. Until that success is

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reached there's plenty of trial and error, jumping around trying to find the "magic" path that will allow you dodge enemies and mines, often during the same jump. I found myself physically holding my breath during some of the more complicated ninja-wall-jumping manoeuvres. Some of the "hundreds" of levels included in the demo are incredibly difficult - I swear some of them involve more luck than

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skill. But the damning thing is that I couldn't put it down no matter how frustrated I got. As long as I had the music turned down or off.

This is down to specific preference, but the music accompanying N+ grates on my nerves. It thumps along with the action on-screen along the lines of Geometry Wars 2 or Pac-Man Championship Addition, rising and falling in order to spur players on. But I just thought it was annoying.

I didn't have a chance to check out this aspect of N+ but the developers have indicated that "N+ [will feature] 3 types of multiplayer play, Race, Survival and Co-operative [for] up to 4 players."

After 120 minutes or so playing around with the preview copy of N+, I can honestly say I'm looking forward to the game's release because as much as I got frustrated (then elated) with many of the levels, the simplicity behind it and the bite-sized design make N+ the perfect portable game.

- Omni

(August 13, 2008)