My thoughts on N++ (steam version) as a longstanding player
Posted: 2016.09.02 (21:22)
Firstly I just want to say congratulations to Raigan and Mare for getting this on PC, and I hope bringing N back "home" to PC helps get the numbers flowing properly.
I've played for 60 hours so far, and have beaten everything in Solo mode apart from the last four episodes of the regular levels. I was suprised how quickly I got through to the endgame, since I haven't played N in at least 6 years, possibly more like 8. I don't know if the new level designs are easier, or if it's the effect of the game controlling a lot more tightly, or if I was just good at the game and, like riding a bike, it never left me. I didn't really feel any kind of hardcore challenge until the last row. The all-gold should keep me busy for a while, though.
I think I partly missed some of the rougher-round-the-edges style of levels from the older versions of N. I guess that's what the level editor's for, though. So glad that made it. :)
The visual style, presentation and controls - absolutely mind-blowing. N has always had good controls, but now there's a consistent, super-smooth framerate and very sharp graphics. Certain moves, such as jumping off of a spike tile, and doing ramp to wall launches at high speed, seem much fairer and sharper to pull off. It's like a veil of lag and jitter has been removed, revealing a pure glistening halo of liquid control around the player's skill, allowing it to flourish.
This game needed to be made - it seems so simple, but the whole game engine/control setup with the ninja is such a finely tuned and flexible system that waiting for someone else to make the game that N was meant to be just wasn't viable. I had a look at N1.4 and it runs horribly on my system, the ninja seems to get caught on certain bits of scenery and stutter a bit on ramps. It's SO nice to see all this fixed and the game packaged up properly as a commercial product.
Just... fantastic work guys!
I know nobody has asked for a critique, but since I'm having these thoughts, I may as well write them down. I thought the choice of graphics for the chaser drones was a little bit too similar to the regular drones. In classic N you had that derpy aerial sticking out of them, which immediately makes them stand out in a crowd (and give them a tiny bit of character). N++ opts for a more subtle difference, making drone situations harder to read. Given how much more deadly a chaser is to a normal one, it seems a bit disproportionate. All in all I found all the different types of drones harder to tell apart, but I guess that might be because I have to unlearn what a chaingun drone looks like, etc.
Similarly I thought one-way platforms look a bit similar to bounce pads now. These are minor complaints, I can tell them apart well enough. I think I preferred how they looked in classic N but there's not much in it.
Having finished the bulk of the solo levels, I felt some level design elements were left relatively unexplored. It dawned on me that regular doors seem to be hardly used at all, and the little lazer sweep drones have a lot of potential that seems untapped. I have to admit wishing that some of those more simple levels could have had some optional or fun little setups with the lesser known enemies. Again, level editor, so it's no biggie. I do secretly hope user episodes are a possible future enhancement, maybe even user columns. I know I would have an absolute field day with that :) But it's a big ask, and as it is the online scoreboard is nice.
Having unlocked all the colours, I thought half of them were beautiful, and half quite samey and boring. I would really love a way to mod/hack/legitimately add my own colour schemes to the game, as I have some ideas I'd love to see, such as palettes based on classic computers such as the Commodore 64 which has a very distinctive signature. Metoro, F7200, Hot, Party, Clear and Evening are probably my favourites.
I've just started getting to grips with the level editor, and I noticed that sometimes the little graphic displaying which kind of tiles you want to select are all squares instead of different shapes. Also, when I scroll past "numberwang" in the options menu and get to "is it art?" the game crashes. I have no idea what any of these options are, so no idea what I'm missing out on :)
Anyway, N++ is an instant recommendation to anyone who takes pride in their platforming abilities. It has been refined to the level of sport, only without the usual doping and fixing scandals that go along with sport ;). It's great to have N back in my life and falling in love with it all over again. So thanks a lot, and sorry for the wall of text!
I've played for 60 hours so far, and have beaten everything in Solo mode apart from the last four episodes of the regular levels. I was suprised how quickly I got through to the endgame, since I haven't played N in at least 6 years, possibly more like 8. I don't know if the new level designs are easier, or if it's the effect of the game controlling a lot more tightly, or if I was just good at the game and, like riding a bike, it never left me. I didn't really feel any kind of hardcore challenge until the last row. The all-gold should keep me busy for a while, though.
I think I partly missed some of the rougher-round-the-edges style of levels from the older versions of N. I guess that's what the level editor's for, though. So glad that made it. :)
The visual style, presentation and controls - absolutely mind-blowing. N has always had good controls, but now there's a consistent, super-smooth framerate and very sharp graphics. Certain moves, such as jumping off of a spike tile, and doing ramp to wall launches at high speed, seem much fairer and sharper to pull off. It's like a veil of lag and jitter has been removed, revealing a pure glistening halo of liquid control around the player's skill, allowing it to flourish.
This game needed to be made - it seems so simple, but the whole game engine/control setup with the ninja is such a finely tuned and flexible system that waiting for someone else to make the game that N was meant to be just wasn't viable. I had a look at N1.4 and it runs horribly on my system, the ninja seems to get caught on certain bits of scenery and stutter a bit on ramps. It's SO nice to see all this fixed and the game packaged up properly as a commercial product.
Just... fantastic work guys!
I know nobody has asked for a critique, but since I'm having these thoughts, I may as well write them down. I thought the choice of graphics for the chaser drones was a little bit too similar to the regular drones. In classic N you had that derpy aerial sticking out of them, which immediately makes them stand out in a crowd (and give them a tiny bit of character). N++ opts for a more subtle difference, making drone situations harder to read. Given how much more deadly a chaser is to a normal one, it seems a bit disproportionate. All in all I found all the different types of drones harder to tell apart, but I guess that might be because I have to unlearn what a chaingun drone looks like, etc.
Similarly I thought one-way platforms look a bit similar to bounce pads now. These are minor complaints, I can tell them apart well enough. I think I preferred how they looked in classic N but there's not much in it.
Having finished the bulk of the solo levels, I felt some level design elements were left relatively unexplored. It dawned on me that regular doors seem to be hardly used at all, and the little lazer sweep drones have a lot of potential that seems untapped. I have to admit wishing that some of those more simple levels could have had some optional or fun little setups with the lesser known enemies. Again, level editor, so it's no biggie. I do secretly hope user episodes are a possible future enhancement, maybe even user columns. I know I would have an absolute field day with that :) But it's a big ask, and as it is the online scoreboard is nice.
Having unlocked all the colours, I thought half of them were beautiful, and half quite samey and boring. I would really love a way to mod/hack/legitimately add my own colour schemes to the game, as I have some ideas I'd love to see, such as palettes based on classic computers such as the Commodore 64 which has a very distinctive signature. Metoro, F7200, Hot, Party, Clear and Evening are probably my favourites.
I've just started getting to grips with the level editor, and I noticed that sometimes the little graphic displaying which kind of tiles you want to select are all squares instead of different shapes. Also, when I scroll past "numberwang" in the options menu and get to "is it art?" the game crashes. I have no idea what any of these options are, so no idea what I'm missing out on :)
Anyway, N++ is an instant recommendation to anyone who takes pride in their platforming abilities. It has been refined to the level of sport, only without the usual doping and fixing scandals that go along with sport ;). It's great to have N back in my life and falling in love with it all over again. So thanks a lot, and sorry for the wall of text!