Metanet Software's Mare Sheppard and Raigan Burns are entertaining. Almost as entertaining, in fact, as their game N. Or maybe even a little more. That's why reading about pretty much any subject on their official Metanet blog or their N+ developer blog on IGN is a treat. And when the subject actually is N+, well, so much the better.They've posted discussions on both blogs about the three different versions of N+ and how they are, well, different. The Xbox Live Arcade release, in addition to the obvious difference in image quality, is being developed by Slick Entertainment in close collaboration with Metanet themselves and is therefore going to be the most faithful to the original N in terms of feel. The handheld versions will feel slightly different according to the experts: "The style/design (of the DS and PSP versions) in general, as well as the feeling of moving the ninja, are definitely more "influenced by" than "identical to" the flash version," they say.
Apparently the developers have made some decisions that Metanet themselves wouldn't agree with. Way back in August, when I played an alpha version of DS N+, it felt absolutely right. But what do I know? It's a little disheartening to hear that the handheld game isn't exactly as Metanet would want, but we can only hope the changes work out or are so minor that normal folks won't notice.
As a happy side effect of the difference in aspect ratio across the systems, each version of the game has completely unique levels -- around 500 of them. That plus the fundamental N-ness makes pretty much any version you can play a good buy. Especially the DS version, which has the benefit of being on the system this website's about.
[Via GameSetWatch]
Read - Metanet Software blog
Read - IGN blog
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-03-2008 @ 12:39PM
Feigr said...
Even though I like simplistic and stylish games I have a hard time being convinced that this is something to buy. It looks interesting but repetetive.
I guess I shouldn't be this negative since I haven't played it, but it's hard not to be.
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2-03-2008 @ 3:09PM
Oneiromancer said...
Then you should try the original game--it's totally free, and runs on PC, Mac, and Linux.
http://www.thewayoftheninja.org/n.html
Personally, this is one of those games that I will probably buy multiple versions of it...I played the hell out of the original. I never donated or anything before, so I would be happy to help support Mare and Raigan by buying the Xbox Live and DS ones.
2-03-2008 @ 3:51PM
Chilipop said...
Feigr, I suggest you try out the Flash version of the game, which is still free for download on the Metadata website.
You'll probably be pleasantly surprised- the concept is very simple, but the game play is alot of fun, the levels are interesting, and the main character is alot of fun to maneuver with.
I originally thought, 'oh not another flash game', but when I played it I got sucked in.
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2-03-2008 @ 5:07PM
Feigr said...
I downloaded it and tried it now. Died three times on one of the early levels and turned it off. Too hard, not for me. I want games that are not challenging whatsoever. I understand that many gamers want challenge and appreciate that in games but I don't, sorry.
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2-03-2008 @ 7:07PM
Bryan said...
*drools* I cannot wait for this game.
2-03-2008 @ 11:18PM
Henley said...
lol, its hard, its almost as hard as lvl 20 on advance wars days of ruin.
3-14-2008 @ 8:57PM
mr mobius said...
This game is extremely hardcore. I can only get approximately 50% of the way through the flash version at the time of writing this.
If this game has different levels than the flash game, and is competitively priced, I'll give it a go. It'd be brilliant for quick on the go gaming opportunities which I don't get with my usual gaming DS catalogue.
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