My thumbs are raw, my pulse is elevated, and a wave of regrets washes over me as I reflect on the exhilarating experience at this weekend’s Summer Game Fest Play Days event in Los Angeles. Tucked away in a cozy corner of the venue, I stumbled upon what I believe could be a perfect video game in the making: N+ Infinity Times Two.
A New Chapter in a Beloved Series
This floaty ninja platformer marks the latest entry in a series that has captivated players for over two decades, beginning as a humble browser game. The journey continued with the release of N+ on Xbox Live Arcade in 2008, followed by the critically acclaimed N++ in 2015. Now, Canadian developer Metanet has reawakened its creative spirit to deliver N+ Infinity Times Two, a multiplayer-focused sequel that had me shouting in delight amidst a crowd of fellow gamers.
Games like TowerFall, Nidhogg, and Samurai Gunn once defined a genre characterized by low barriers to entry yet high skill ceilings. This niche enjoyed a renaissance in the early 2010s, only to fade as the popularity of the Jackbox Party Pack surged. While I appreciate the humor of a Jackbox night, I find myself yearning for the thrill of competitive gameplay. Recently, I revisited TowerFall after a decade, and the room buzzed with excitement as we engaged in intense arrow-flinging battles.
Such timeless game design is a rarity, and with Metanet’s impressive track record of delivering impeccably precise platformers, I have every confidence that they will replicate this success with N+ Infinity Times Two. The anticipation builds as I look forward to the full release, which promises to include co-op levels reminiscent of the classic N+, slated for 2027.
