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N+ (PSP) Status: Stopped playing - Got frustrated I started playing this game on Thursday 15 October, 2009 // I stopped playing this game on: Wednesday 21 October, 2009
Current opinion of this game
Mildly compelling once you get into it. I'm still tasting it as far as I'm concerned...
October 21, 2009 05:15:01 PM
I recall playing the original (flash?) game when it first appeared and thinking that it seemed fun. I also recall people raving about it, though I didn't quite share the enthusiasm. I still don't. I guess a game that feels that it's important to highlight the fact that it has 300 levels (or something like that) I raise an eyebrow. If you're aiming for quantity, then surely quality has suffered. N+ is fundamentally about navigating spatial environments by running and jumping while taking advantage of the unrealistic physics. The characters movements and controls feel quite fluid (organic, even?) and there is a certain joy to be found when jumping great distances, changing directions and enjoying the speed of movement that many of the levels have. This is when I was enjoying N+. The itertia and momentum the character gains is quite special but becomes a hindrance in levels that rely on tightly controlled and precise movements where deviating from the "script" quickly results in death (fortunately, the game is incredibly good about letting you get back into the action). While playing the game I often found that many of the levels are a joy to play. Even if I die multiple times. But those that require pixel-perfect precision scream murder, because the physics system has inertia and plasticity. Argh! I think I must have played 50 levels or so before I hit a brick wall (a few, actually, because there is some flexibility as to what levels you play). So, time to call it quits.

N+ (PSP)