2D Platformer
Atari
Aug. 26, 2008
PSP/DS
[rating:5/5]

Editor's ChoiceMerriam-Webster dictionary defines the word “addicted” as “to devote or surrender (oneself) to something habitually or obsessively.”

Here is a word of warning: you will become addicted to Atari’s N+.

You control a ninja, N, who travels through increasingly more difficult levels to gain as much gold as he can before he reaches the next level all the while managing to not be killed by enemies or heights in Atari’s newest platformer puzzle game.

Based on the Xbox arcade game (“N+”) which was based on the classic flash game (“N”), Atari has truly created something special and unique out of something that was similarly as great before.

With over 300 different levels, beating N+ sounds like it should be a daunting task, but watching your stick figure body splat across the screen of your Nintendo DS or PSP is surprisingly more gratifying than frustrating.

The control over your ninja was the most enticing part of the game because, for a stick figure, the little guy is agile. While you start out doing the simple run and jump to traverse around each level, soon it becomes apparent that those techniques won’t be enough. That’s when you start discovering the wall jumps, slope glides, climbing up walls, and most importantly, just how far you have to fall to not become multiple pieces of ninja.

Oh, and you have the option of adding blood to the gore that shoots out everywhere after you die. That is way more fun than it should be.

N+’s biggest attribute is that, for once, it is a game that doesn’t make you chuck your handheld system out the window when you die. Dying adds more to coming up with strategies than irritation, because as the levels get harder, the strategies for getting as much gold as possible before obtaining the next level.

Newer, harder levels are unlocked as you progress through the game. In addition, different colors for your ninja can be obtained the more levels that are unlocked.

N+’s level creator allows hours more fun, and with the DS’s and PSP’s wireless capabilities, players can compete against their friends to see who is the most skilled ninja.

Atari has created a gem of a game: N+ is flawless in its simplicity, and is a game all gamers will gain enjoyment from.

N+ was released Tuesday.

About The Author

Terri Schwartz was a Blast Contributing Editor from 2008-2009.

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