When I picked up my PSP and started playing N+, I was suddenly transported to a time when controllers were called joysticks and Missile Command dominated my thoughts and dreams. Back when Atari’s console offered nothing much to look at in the graphics department, it was gameplay that really mattered. Therefore, N+, a game that looks like an old Atari title, ended up being one of those Flash games you couldn’t help but keep playing until you realized you’ve been playing for longer than you intended on playing. You will find quickly discover that even on the PSP this game is very hard to put down.

You are a nameless, faceless ninja on a quest to collect as many gold nuggets (yellow squares, actually) for each level and make your escape by activating the exit. Well, the little figure might not look like a ninja but our little black stick figure certainly moves as swiftly as a ninja and can even jump high enough to reach a platform. Grabbing as much gold and heading for the exit might sound like a simple enough task but it is far from easy and you had better believe that you will certainly die a lot in this game.

You see, what makes N+ such a challenging game is the fact that the environment itself is a giant puzzle you must solve and the fact that you are tasked with completing each level before your lifespan runs out with the timer plays a role in rushing you to your goal. In order to unlock the exit you must first touch the exit switch that is found somewhere within the environment. Again, this sound easy but there are levels where the exit switch is hard to reach or are near any of the game’s many obstacles.

As I mentioned before, our ninja hero is very agile and moves quite swiftly while leaping high enough to reach platforms that are spaced rather far. The ninja can wall jump like the Prince of Persia as well as wall slide (which is helpful since the ninja can die if he falls from a great distance). The ninja doesn’t have any other skills so don’t expect any attacks or fighting abilities in this game. In this game, you’ll get by with your wits rather than your ability to jump the many hurdles the game’s many levels will throw at you.

The game’s Single Player Mode is set up in a series of stages that make up a number of levels. Clear a level and you move on to the next until you clear the stage. The best part of N+ just so happens to be the game’s level design that will definitely give you a good cerebral workout. Some levels simply have you jumping platforms that seem hard to reach while other levels are set up to include elements such as locked doors and land mines as well as a number of different enemies. The enemies come in many forms such as the floor guards (that rush out to smash into you when you get close to them) as well as various drones that fire everything from bullets to electricity.

The creative level design will often have gamers scratching their heads wondering how exactly to reach and exit or an exit switch. Each level is set up creatively enough that you will keep in mind everything from how the platforms are positioned to keep yourself from falling to your death. Speaking of death, you immediately respawn the moment you meet your demise and there’s no limit to how many times you can be revived as long as the timer doesn’t run out.

Aside from the game’s single-player mode, there’s multiplayer that allows you to play the game with a friend via Ad Hoc or any one else online via Infrastructure mode. At the time of this writing, it was hard to find many players but when I did get a chance to play the game ran smoothly. This is especially good seeing as the game’s multiplayer mode includes three different competitive game match types such as Tag Mode, Domination Mode and Blitz Mode. Tag Mode is basically a game of tag with the loser being the one who stays “it” for a longer period. Domination has you and a friend scrambling to collect as many black switches as possible while Blitz Mode is a race to clear as many exit doors as possible.

Atari also included a Level Editor mode that allows gamers to design their own level complete with hazards and a number of other options you can use to create a level the way you want it to look. The editing tools make it simple enough for players to construct rather intricate levels and the good news is that you can save them on your Memory Stick to upload online and share your created levels with others.

There’s really not much I can say about the visuals or the game’s sound seeing as the game is honoring those old-school Atari game graphics. Just about the only cool visual effect is of your ninja breaking into several pieces when he falls to his death or is blown away by an enemy. There’s not much to the sound as well, which isn’t disappointing seeing as it was done on purpose but there could have been at least a tune or two to keep gamers company. 

N+ for the PSP is one of those addictive joys that will make it very hard to separate yourself from your handheld. It’s one of those games that, at a glance, doesn’t look like much but makes up for it with inventive puzzles and an interesting level design that makes this game very hard to put down once you start playing. Really, do not judge this game by its cover or else you would be missing out on a seriously enjoyable and utterly challenging game.

Gameplay: 8.5
Even though it doesn’t look the part, you play the role of a ninja moving through complicated and dangerous terrain on a snatch-and-run mission. The moves might be basic but there’s a lot that goes into completing each stage.

Graphics: 6.5
This game will certainly remind the older gamer of the old Atari graphics of yesteryear but it goes to show that good gameplay triumphs over pretty graphics any day of the week.

Sound: 6.0
The game’s soundtrack won’t win any prizes either and the sound effects don’t stand out but then again they’re quite adequate for a game like this.

Difficulty: Medium/Hard
The heart of the game is its level design that will have you attempting each stage within a level repeatedly. The hazards also play a role in keeping you on your toes just as well as the timer that keeps on ticking away.

Concept: 8.5
The game’s levels may look simple but are very challenging but the game offers a level editor so you can come up with your own challenges as well. There’s multiplayer that makes use of the Ad Hoc and Infrastructure mode. You can even download new levels or upload your own creations.

Multiplayer: 8.0
You can play the game with a friend with three different game match types and the game allows you to share your own level creations with others online. Different color ninja can also be unlocked to offer your friend some variety in the color department.

Overall: 8.5
Without a doubt one of the most addictive platform/puzzle games on the PSP, N+ is one of those games that will complete consume you in the best way possible. What looks like a rather basic game is really a challenging and involving game with a lot to offer.