Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

N+ puts you in control of a sleek, agile ninja whose primary goal is to dash through intricately designed levels, collect gold, and reach the exit before time runs out. The mechanics center on precise wall jumps, nimble flips, and split-second decision-making as you navigate hazards like mines, patrolling drones, and laser barriers. The two-second time bonus per gold piece scattered throughout each stage cleverly balances risk and reward, pushing you to explore every crevice while maintaining momentum toward the switch that unlocks the exit door.

(HEY YOU!! We hope you enjoy! We try not to run ads. So basically, this is a very expensive hobby running this site. Please consider joining us for updates, forums, and more. Network w/ us to make some cash or friends while retro gaming, and you can win some free retro games for posting. Okay, carry on 👍)

One of the game’s standout features is its infinite retry system. Death comes quickly and often—one misjudged jump or stray bullet spells instant demise—but there’s no penalty beyond restarting the level. This design choice encourages experimentation with routes and strategies. Players can learn from each failure and immediately apply new tactics, fostering a “just one more try” mindset that keeps the adrenaline pumping and the senses razor-sharp.

Multiplayer modes add another layer of replayability. In cooperative play, up to four ninjas work together to synchronize jumps, boost one another to higher platforms, and share responsibility for activating the exit switch. By contrast, the competitive Race and Survival modes pit you directly against rivals, amplifying the tension as you vie to be the first through the door or the last ninja standing. These modes transform each compact level into a dynamic battleground of skill, speed, and subtle sabotage.

Graphics

N+ embraces a minimalist aesthetic that underscores both clarity and style. The ninja is rendered as a simple silhouette with fluid animations, making each wall jump and aerial flip visually satisfying. Despite—or perhaps because of—its simplicity, the game’s art direction excels at quickly communicating level geometry, hazards, and collectable gold pieces. You never have to squint to discern a safe platform from a deadly drop.

The enhanced remake elevates the original freeware visuals with sharper resolution and refined lighting effects. Subtle particle trails follow your ninja’s movements, and explosive interactions with mines and rockets now burst with vivid flair. These enhancements retain the core visual identity of N while ensuring it feels fresh on modern hardware.

Backgrounds shift subtly from one episode to the next, offering varied industrial and underground environments without distracting from the essential platforming action. Color palettes remain restrained—mostly blacks, whites, and metallic grays—punctuated by the warm glow of gold and the harsh reds of warning lights. This controlled use of color helps important elements pop and maintains focus on the fast-paced gameplay.

Story

N+ doesn’t burden you with a sprawling narrative; instead, it offers a distilled premise that serves as a springboard for the action. You are a ninja on an endless mission to outwit the robotic forces that have overtaken his domain. Your mortal enemies—patrolling drones, pulse-emitting bots, and automated turrets—offer just enough context to make each level feel like a stage in a larger resistance effort.

The sparse storytelling aligns with the game’s twitch-platformer roots. There are no lengthy cutscenes or verbose dialogues—only brief text hints and the pure thrill of overcoming obstacles. This brevity allows players to project their own narratives onto the action, imagining themselves as shadowy agents infiltrating a high-tech fortress.

Between episodes, the minimalist presentation conveys a sense of progression without bogging you down in exposition. Clearing five furious levels to complete an episode gives a satisfying milestone, evoking a sense of marching deeper into enemy territory. The story unfolds not in words but in the escalating complexity of the challenges you face.

Overall Experience

N+ is a masterclass in focused platforming design. Its blend of crisp controls, punishing yet fair level layouts, and endless retries creates a compelling loop that appeals to both hardcore speedrunners and casual players seeking bite-sized bursts of challenge. Each session can last just a few minutes, making it easy to squeeze in a quick run while still offering depth for those who want to perfect their time on every level.

The multiplayer component elevates N+ from a solo precision test to a lively social contest. Cooperative runs foster camaraderie as players share tips and assist each other in nail-biting sections, while competitive matches spark friendly rivalries that keep you coming back. Whether you’re chasing leaderboard glory or laughing over near-impossible deaths with friends, the game adapts to your preferred style.

Ultimately, N+ succeeds by distilling platforming to its purest elements: speed, skill, and split-second reflexes. It may lack a rich narrative, but its unrelenting pacing and finely tuned obstacles deliver their own kind of storytelling—one written in leaps, flips, and barely-avoided explosions. For anyone craving a sleek, challenging experience that rewards practice and precision, N+ remains an essential download.

Retro Replay Score

8.1/10