Over 20 years ago, developer Metanet Software Inc. released N, a platformer that relied on momentum-based physics to set it apart. Now, they’re back once more with N Plus Infinity Times Two.
In the original N, characters wouldn’t float with each tap of the jump button; instead, they would fling themselves down or across the track based on their velocity, occasionally landing in a crumpled heap of pixels if they built up too much speed.
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With the sequels N+ and N++, Metanet built upon the premise, adding multiplayer and more deceptively complex challenges for players to overcome. Now, with N Plus Infinity Times Two, they’ve created an experience solely designed around multiplayer.
We tried two of N Plus Infinity Times Two’s five game modes at Summer Game Fest.
At Summer Game Fest, I had the opportunity to go hands-on with two of the five game modes on offer: a free-for-all race where it was every person for themself and the team-based tag, where pairs switched off between hunter and hunted. If the other three game modes are as fun as these were, N Plus Infinity Times Two is the next best way to destroy friendships while gaming.
First, we were introduced to racing, which is almost as straightforward as it sounds. Four players would careen toward the goal, collecting gold coins along the way, which added to your score along with your position in the race.
The interesting wrinkle was introduced when the first racer reached the goal: Instead of sitting back and watching the race, they turned into a missile capable of blowing up another racer. This also shut off respawns, meaning the next time a player was destroyed, it would be for good, whether it’s through fall damage, a stage hazard, or a player-controlled missile.
Tag offers paired showdowns with dozens of maps.
Dying in a race meant you got zero points, no matter how many gold coins you collected or how close to the end you were. This creates an interesting dilemma where you want to finish as quickly as possible to bank your points, but if you delay crossing the finish line, you can gather more coins, leaving yourself susceptible to being targeted as a tradeoff.
On the other hand, if you’re a skilled dodger, you can pressure your enemies to finish the race early, dodge their missiles, and collect any gold coins they left behind. Of course, if all three of your opponents are chasing you down, they can easily corner you with three missiles, resulting in a lot of excited shouting and a single victor when the digital dust clears. With dozens of maps to choose from, many of them deceptively complex, there is plenty of fun to be found on the racetrack, though if everyone is really tired of races, there’s a more directly competitive mode to try.
Tag was the second game mode we played, and we went from free-for-all action to two pairs facing off. This concept was also straightforward; teams would take turns playing as hunters and hunted. As hunters, players would do anything they can to catch up to their prey, even turning themselves into missiles, because even the slightest physical contact spells defeat for the runners. As the hunted, players will lead hunters on a merry chase, using any tricks at their disposal to avoid getting caught.
N Plus Infinity Times Two is joyful, chaotic platforming mess.
There are a few extra wrinkles, such as hunters being immune to all forms of damage, whether it be fall damage or stage hazards. Additionally, a game of tag could continue indefinitely, provided the hunted stay away from their pursuers, but once both players are caught, it’s time to switch sides.
Their time is then attached to the new runners, counting down the time until their victory if the hunters fail to catch them. A fun quirk is that the runners’ deaths count no matter the cause, so resourceful hunters can chase the runners to a cliff and run them right off. As the name implies, the possibilities are infinite.
N Plus Infinity Times Two doesn’t seem to be reinventing the wheel, but it does invite a few more people to partake, resulting in a hilarious, chaotic platforming mess. If the other three modes are as fun as Racing and Tag, you won’t want to pass over this title.
N Plus Infinity Times Two does not currently have a release window.
