N + 1

Having a knack for retro old-school games, I am impatiently waiting for this little jewel :

Appearing for Sony PSP (as seen above), Nintendo DS (see the trailer for this version here) and Xbox Live!, the game is cryptically entitled N+. The title stems from the fact that the first version was an online flash game – don’t forget to give it a try, just not at work, if you would like to keep it – so this is an updated remake (hence N+, as in C++, get it?). You can read more about the game and differences between different versions on Siliconera and on Metablog, be sure check official The Way of the Ninja page as well (contains a ton of screens and downloads!).

Obligatory PSP screen

The fiendish difficulty level of the original version prevents me from playing it too much, but it has a lovely minimalistic retro touch to it. So even though there are some A+ class titles to come out in march (I’m looking at you, God of War… drooling), I will be sure to keep an eye on this title, as it seems very interesting for an old-school guy like myself. Ah, the good ol’ tiNes…

N + 1

Having a knack for retro old-school games, I am impatiently waiting for this little jewel :

Appearing for Sony PSP (as seen above), Nintendo DS (see the trailer for this version here) and Xbox Live!, the game is cryptically entitled N+. The title stems from the fact that the first version was an online flash game – don’t forget to give it a try, just not at work, if you would like to keep it – so this is an updated remake (hence N+, as in C++, get it?). You can read more about the game and differences between different versions on Siliconera and on Metablog, be sure check official The Way of the Ninja page as well (contains a ton of screens and downloads!).

Obligatory PSP screen

The fiendish difficulty level of the original version prevents me from playing it too much, but it has a lovely minimalistic retro touch to it. So even though there are some A+ class titles to come out in march (I’m looking at you, God of War… drooling), I will be sure to keep an eye on this title, as it seems very interesting for an old-school guy like myself. Ah, the good ol’ tiNes…

If you don’t have money for a tablet…

I know I haven’t given much love to Nintendo DS on this webpage. What would you expect, me having a PSP and whatnot. Anyhow, apparently there is a whole homebrew scene on DS too, something that I have shamefully ignored up until now.

The application that has just caught my eye (through Drawn! blog) is called Colors! – it is a homebrew program that changes your DS into a miniature Wacom Cintiq. Well, not really, but close enough. As you might know, I dabble a little in digital drawing and even bought cheapy Toshiba M200 for that purpose. But Nintendo DS is an even cheaper solution to get your feet wet in digital painting, therefore I’ve found this news interesting enough to bring it to your attention.

Some of the art created with this program looks really neat.

Also, while investigating the topic, I have found two interesting programs that are similar to Colors!, but their purpose is more animation oriented : Inchworm and Animanatee. Be sure to check them out too!

If you don’t have money for a tablet…

I know I haven’t given much love to Nintendo DS on this webpage. What would you expect, me having a PSP and whatnot. Anyhow, apparently there is a whole homebrew scene on DS too, something that I have shamefully ignored up until now.

The application that has just caught my eye (through Drawn! blog) is called Colors! – it is a homebrew program that changes your DS into a miniature Wacom Cintiq. Well, not really, but close enough. As you might know, I dabble a little in digital drawing and even bought cheapy Toshiba M200 for that purpose. But Nintendo DS is an even cheaper solution to get your feet wet in digital painting, therefore I’ve found this news interesting enough to bring it to your attention.

Some of the art created with this program looks really neat.

Also, while investigating the topic, I have found two interesting programs that are similar to Colors!, but their purpose is more animation oriented : Inchworm and Animanatee. Be sure to check them out too!

Space Invaders Extreme hands-on impressions

Space Invaders is one of the all time game classics that any gamer simply must know, even if they missed on early 8 bit era. If by any chance you don’t know what I am writing about, read about it here and play it here (also, be ashamed and hand over your gamer’s licence).

At Tokyo Game Show Taito has just presented Space Invaders Extreme, a remake of the original title for Nintendo DS. The game formula has been severely altered, which is a good thing, since the original was, to put it diplomatically, not the most complicated game in the world. The game was given major graphical overhaul in the vein of Q Entertainment’s recent games – different skins, different weapons, special effects flashing on the screen, combinations of strange colours and crazy electronic music made me think of Gunpey or Every Extend Extra.

The few minutes I have spent with the game went by quite fast and the game seemed to be enjoyable. I don’t know, however, how about the playability and replayability of the title. I mean how long can you shoot to rows of aliens?

Oh, and while on the topic of Space Invaders – someone please get me these shoes :

Space Invaders Extreme hands-on impressions

Space Invaders is one of the all time game classics that any gamer simply must know, even if they missed on early 8 bit era. If by any chance you don’t know what I am writing about, read about it here and play it here (also, be ashamed and hand over your gamer’s licence).

At Tokyo Game Show Taito has just presented Space Invaders Extreme, a remake of the original title for Nintendo DS. The game formula has been severely altered, which is a good thing, since the original was, to put it diplomatically, not the most complicated game in the world. The game was given major graphical overhaul in the vein of Q Entertainment’s recent games – different skins, different weapons, special effects flashing on the screen, combinations of strange colours and crazy electronic music made me think of Gunpey or Every Extend Extra.

The few minutes I have spent with the game went by quite fast and the game seemed to be enjoyable. I don’t know, however, how about the playability and replayability of the title. I mean how long can you shoot to rows of aliens?

Oh, and while on the topic of Space Invaders – someone please get me these shoes :

Exit DS

No, it’s not what you think. DS is here to stay, but there is an incoming game that bears that name. It all started with the PSP game called Exit. I picked it up in Japan and sold it shortly after coming back to Poland. Why?

PSP version screen

Although I definitely dug its graphical style and the general concept, I was so annoyed by slow character movement (especially the animation of climbing the stairs) and other little quirks, especially in control department, that I finally gave up on the game.

Still, it looks like DS owners will also get a taste of Mr Exit adventures. I just wonder how the stylus controls will work (didn’t have time to check them today)?

UPDATE : played it today. The controls are terrible, and the game is molasses slow, just as PSP version. Count me out.

Exit DS

No, it’s not what you think. DS is here to stay, but there is an incoming game that bears that name. It all started with the PSP game called Exit. I picked it up in Japan and sold it shortly after coming back to Poland. Why?

PSP version screen

Although I definitely dug its graphical style and the general concept, I was so annoyed by slow character movement (especially the animation of climbing the stairs) and other little quirks, especially in control department, that I finally gave up on the game.

Still, it looks like DS owners will also get a taste of Mr Exit adventures. I just wonder how the stylus controls will work (didn’t have time to check them today)?

UPDATE : played it today. The controls are terrible, and the game is molasses slow, just as PSP version. Count me out.

On witch touching

There is a game that for me qualifies everybody playing it as borderline paedophile. It’s called Doki Doki Majou Shinpan and it seemed to be quite popular on Kotaku. You can see a trailer here and some actual gameplay here, if you really must.

What really scared me, though, was a whole set of derived products. Why am I even writing about this? Well, first of all it is one of many Japan-only curious oddities, and secondly, I have stumbled upon a T-shirt related to the game. Just look where this little hand goes, awww, gross.

Personally, I think that Penny Arcade summed it up in most excellent fashion in their comic strip. Who the f… cares?

On witch touching

There is a game that for me qualifies everybody playing it as borderline paedophile. It’s called Doki Doki Majou Shinpan and it seemed to be quite popular on Kotaku. You can see a trailer here and some actual gameplay here, if you really must.

What really scared me, though, was a whole set of derived products. Why am I even writing about this? Well, first of all it is one of many Japan-only curious oddities, and secondly, I have stumbled upon a T-shirt related to the game. Just look where this little hand goes, awww, gross.

Personally, I think that Penny Arcade summed it up in most excellent fashion in their comic strip. Who the f… cares?