N+

"Reminescent of Simpler Games"

I can`t guess at how many people will pick up this game based on playing the computer shareware version versus how many people will just pick it up because it`s a slick looking arcade styled game.

Graphics: 8/10
In what seems to be an attempt to jazz up the game from the computer version, they added shadow to some ledges and changed the appearance of all the items in the game for the console release. Luckily they also included the `pure` mode in options, which allows you to view the game the same as it was on the PC version. It looks good for what it wants to do; simple, not too loud (visually), and stylish. The deaths are also spectacular, as usual, and you can watch your ragdoll body go flying across the screen after getting hit by an enemy or whatnot.

Sound: 7/10
I don`t recall the computer version having any music. The sound effects are the same, and they all sound right, arcade styled bleeps that alert you to picking up an item or being hit by a Gauss turret. The music is pretty bland, but I don`t think anyone was hoping for too much in this department anyway.

Gameplay: 8/10
Compared to the computer version there are a few slight changes for the worse, in my opinion. The levels are smaller, or the ninja is bigger, whichever you choose. Either way, the computer levels were more expansive, and in an attempt to overcome this, the console versions levels pan a little bit off center sometimes because the level won`t fit in the frame. This just ends up being annoying though, because not only can you not see the entire level anymore, but even when you do get down there it`s only another couple millimeters of level, nothing big. The style is all there though, and you can wall jump and bounce around and have just as much fun. The complicated maneuvers are also highlighted in some levels, like slope jumping or wall stopping.

Story: --
It`s an arcade game, what do you expect.

Replay Value: 5/10
I`m a bit upset about the level count. I guess I haven`t unlocked the super secret last ten levels, but word is there are only 49 worlds or whatever we want to call them, as opposed to there being 100 in the middle stages of the computer game. I can`t imagine this game taking up much space so I don`t see why they didn`t add more. You can download user created maps, but I haven`t done so yet, and if it`s anything like downloading maps for the computer version, it`ll just be a lot of people making impossible maps. So once you beat the 50 levels, that`s it.

Overall: 7/10
This game was cheap and stylish. Those two factors combined makes me glad I purchased it. It`s a simple one I can show the kids if I ever need to, and it`s a game I can pick up, play for 5 minutes, then set down. That being said, don`t buy this if you`re hoping for a game that`ll keep you entertained for months on end. This isn`t it.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 10/10/08

Game Release: N+ (US, 08/26/08)