N+, one of our favorite Xbox Live Arcade games to date, has made the jump to handhelds. You get a cross of rag doll physics, puzzles, ninjas, and Pitfall, which is a winning combination. N is now a freeware PC game that is much like its successor, N+. You must navigate through rooms of obstacles, land mines, killer robots, and whatever else is blocking your path. The game is simple in its goals. Unlock the door by reaching a colored block, then safely get to the door to move on. Seems easy, right? N+ will give you a challenge that many gamers will welcome.
Just like the XBLA version, this will be the most fun you’ll ever have dying in a game. In N+, if you fall more than a few feet, your body crumples on the floor. If you are lucky enough to hit a land mine, your body explodes into an orgy of legs, arms, and whatever else is detached. These body parts will hit mines themselves and start a fun chain reaction. The rag doll physics are also a high point of the game. The developers focused on the jumping, sliding, and bouncing off the walls more than anything. This was very beneficial for the sole reason that jumping is the only thing you do. If the collision detection was bad, the game would be a lost cause. Here, this is not the case and it makes for a great experience. The controls translate very well to the PSP, as you’re basically just using the directional pad and the X button to jump.
The game features 200 levels built in for single player as well as over 100 co-op levels and over 50 versus levels. There is plenty here to keep you busy. But if that’s not enough, the built in level editor will let you create your own destructive puzzles that can be shared with other PSP owners.
We were not able to test out the multiplayer modes online due to no one having the game yet. There are, however, some cool modes available. Standard co-op is there if you want to go through levels with a buddy. Tag is much like it sounds, where two players each have a timer and whoever is “it” has that timer running. Once you tag the other person, your timer stops and their timer starts. Whoever runs out of time first loses. Another mode, Domination, is also timer based where the more gold you collect reduces the time your opponent has, making it a chess match to get the gold first.
If you enjoy puzzles, this is a must buy. The XBLA title impressed us immensely and I honestly think the game works even better on the PSP. Being able to play this kind of game anywhere if just terrific. Definitely buy this game right away when it ships in early August.
Overall: 9 out of 10
I didn’t know much about N even though I have seen it on XBLA a couple of times I finally got to play it on the PC. Let’s just say this game is surprisingly addicting.