N++ takes the platformer formula of its predecessors and pushes it further, faster, and harder. The game arrives for PS4, Linux, PC and Mac, and it asks players to learn a simple set of rules before it starts punishing them for forgetting them.
Trailer, via IGDBcom.
Learning The Rules
N++ begins gently. Players move through levels, avoid enemies, and find the exit. The controls are precise, and the game does not waste time explaining itself. Within minutes, the difficulty rises sharply.
Levels And The Run
The levels in N++ are small, dense, and often brutal. Enemies are placed to punish hesitation. Each level requires a careful read of the space before committing to a run. Mastery comes from memory as much as from timing.
The game supports online leaderboards, which adds a layer of pressure beyond personal performance. Finishing a level quickly is one thing; finishing it with a time that beats the best in the world is another entirely.
Sound And Look
The presentation stays faithful to the series’ look, with clean lines and bright colors. The music matches the pace of each level, rising and falling with the difficulty.
Where It Falls Short
Not everything lands. Some levels feel more like technical exercises than fun runs, and the difficulty curve can feel harsh even after players have learned the basics. The game does not hold hands, and players who expect a gentle introduction will find none.
The Numbers
- Platform: PS4, Linux, PC, Mac
- Genre: Platformer
- Score: 7.6/10
N++ is a demanding game that rewards patience and punishes carelessness. It does not offer much in the way of instruction, and that is part of the point. Players who stick with it will find some of the most challenging levels in the genre.
The game’s strength is also its weakness. The lack of guidance means newcomers may struggle to find their footing, while veterans will find plenty to enjoy in the leaderboard ranks. N++ is a tight, focused experience that knows exactly what it wants to be, even if it does not always make that clear to new players.
Score: 7.6 of 10.
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