To the Nth degree: full-colour, fully scored N++ is massive game
With more than 2,300 levels, its creators estimate that even the sharpest players will be in N++ for at least 30 hours
Just over a decade ago, Raigan Burns and Mare Sheppard released as a reaction to all that was excessive in video games.
They swapped out flashy colour for essentially various shades of grey, there was no musical score and if you were looking for a story, forget it. The main character was a tiny stick-figure ninja that could jump high and run fast as robots chased it around a minefield of explosive objects. The end.
There’s been some kind of nuclear Armageddon that obliterated one of the dimensions
Now, speaking ahead of the release of , the second proper sequel in what has proved to be a rather venerable indie franchise, Burns and Sheppard aren't quite as minimalistic in their gaming views. They have an audience, and the two wouldn't mind expanding it.
The latest edition of their game came to the PlayStation 4 as a downloadable title last month. It follows the 2008 release of , an edition that Sheppard estimates sold more than 400,000 downloads. That's been enough to allow the duo to make games full time, as well as wonder why their title hasn't reached even more players.
"It's never got the recognition that we at least feel it deserves," says Sheppard. "We thought that part of that was because it's a little unapproachable. We wanted to give it one last shot and make it a bit more friendly."
As a result, features a robust musical score (more than six hours) and no shortage of full-screen colour - blues, pinks and more in neons or pastels. Or, if the player so desires, those familiar grey tones.
