metanetsoftware

[metanetsoftware]

It's time again for new Featured Levels in N++! Yes, the amazing community of level designers has done it again, and the review team selected a few bright gems to bring some sparkle to your day.

Here’s what the curators have to say:

“These maps feature the winners of the MM07 mapmaking contest. This time the contest had the maximalist spooky theme of "WITCHY AUTUMN PUMPKIN." Why are we featuring October maps in early summer, you ask? Make it make sense, you say? I have no answers, but I hope you enjoy the maps regardless." -bigblargh

Check out these maps, and enjoy those fall vibes in summer! Big thanks to bigblargh, underwater amusement park, NateyPooPoo, Rivet, DarkStuff, HamSandwich, and kkstrong for your submissions and curation! And now on to the Featured maps: ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Name: starry pier Author: underwater amusement park Here you are. The gentle breathing of an ocean breeze. The shining stars that dance hypnotically in the depth of night. The thousand mile view that shows you the universe as you forget the world behind you. The bounding waves that could rock you to sleep. Just you, this perfect serenity… and a sniper rifle. -NateyPooPoo ————————————— Name: Tesla Coil Author: Rivet omg its just like so “intellectual”... like have u ever noticed how technical N++ looks its like got this kind of sci-fi aesthetic (if u REALLY think about it) it's like making a level with... like, yknow, a tesla coil (lol)... like about such a scientific concept like a tesla coil its SO FITTING you never even would have expected it... u feel me? -DarkStuff ————————————— [3rd Place | MM07 "WITCHY AUTUMN PUMPKIN"] Name: Unacknowledged Author: hamsandwich ————————————— [2nd Place | MM07 "WITCHY AUTUMN PUMPKIN"] Name: There's Pumpkin to Talk About Author: kkstrong ————————————— [1st Place | MM07 "WITCHY AUTUMN PUMPKIN"] Name: leave no evil Author: nateypoopoo —————————————

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Want to play these levels? Awesome! All levels can be played from all platforms. First, you’ll need N++:

Nintendo Switch: https://www.nintendo.com/en_CA/games/detail/n-plus-plus-switch Xbox One: https://www.microsoft.com/en-CA/store/p/N-/BT33CHSSB89V Steam: http://store.steampowered.com/app/230270 PS4: https://store.playstation.com/#!/en-us/games/n-plus-plus-(n)/cid=UP2108-CUSA00041_00-NPPGAMENPPGAMENP Kartridge: https://www.kartridge.com/games/MetanetSoftware/n-nplusplus

Then from the Main Menu, just go to Browse, and choose the “Featured” tab. So easy! Of course the levels probably aren’t ;)

Want to suggest levels to feature, to make your own levels, or to enter design contests? Join the excellent community on discord: http://discord.gg/nplusplus

[metanetsoftware]

Whew, sorry for the delay, it's been a bit of a time! But these incredible levels -- and this news -- are worth the wait!

Here’s what the curators have to say:

"It's been so long since our last set of featured levels that this batch is DOUBLE STUFFED. Behold, TEN incredible N++ community userlevels! Six of these maps are dMMc winners chosen by votes, so you know they're gonna be good. These six dMMC maps come from the winners of two seperate contests: MM05 had the theme of "HOT," and MM06 had the theme of "TRANSMISSION." I think you will find these maps amazing. If your voracious appetite for community-made content isn't sated, you're in luck. After three years in the making, the N++ Community Tab Project has finally arrived in all its shining glory! It features well over 800 brand-new maps. This map pack replaces the Intro tab, the N++ tab, and a third secret tab I can't tell you about. But don't take it from me- the game dev abho made an epic trailer: https://youtu.be/7aotfrD757U For more information on this map pack, please visit the N++ discord. discord.gg/nplusplus -bigblargh" Do check out the mind-blowing N++ Community Tab Project, it is unbelievably cool! Big thanks to bigblargh, abho, Leachy_jr, donfuy, Ellsworth, Skylighter, Bakeryphresh, HamSandwich, Colors, anthonyiye, bugtopia, NateyPooPoo and smk for your submissions and curation! And now on to the Featured maps: ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Name: Coil toil Author: Leachy_jr "Jumping in and out, this charming man; ruthlessly stealing from this coil, this mortal coil." -donfuy ————————————— Name: Mind Flayer Author: Ellsworth "It is coming. The creature... no, the THING of legend, reviled by one and all, whom haunts the minds of mortal men not unlike an apparition, scrambles their brains and gives them nightmares. Run for your life...wait, what are you doing? You're... c-climbing on it!? Get out of there! The gold isn't worth your sanity!" -Skylighter ————————————— [3rd Place | MM05 "HOT"] Name: Bobio knows your sins [MM05] Author: Bakeryphresh ————————————— [2nd Place | MM05 "HOT"] Name: [MM05] Infernal Infatuation Author: HamSandwich ————————————— [1st Place | MM05 "HOT"] Name: MM05 // FLAMECHARGE Author: abho ————————————— Name: switchtek Author: Colors "This straightforward map deserves a straightforward review. This is a medium-difficulty, linear map with flowing jumps and ambiguous switches. Colors nailed the difficulty. It's easy enough for regular players, but interesting enough to highscore. 0ths to those with the tech... tek. switch... switchtek. [Patent Pending Colors 2023]" -bigblargh ————————————— Name: J4X3D Author: anthonyiye "IN PLATONIC IDEAL WORLD YOU STAND ON ONE OF TWO FACES-- YOU WILL! OR YOU WON'T!" -bigblargh ————————————— [3rd Place | MM06 "TRANSMISSION"] Name: tower of eternal ksshhhh [MM06] Author: bugtopia ————————————— [2nd Place | MM06 "TRANSMISSION"] Name: squalidly diseased transmission [MM06] Author: NateyPooPoo ————————————— [1st Place | MM06 "TRANSMISSION"] Name: mm06 | creation of pandemic Author: smk

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Want to play these levels? Awesome! All levels can be played from all platforms. First, you’ll need N++:

Nintendo Switch: https://www.nintendo.com/en_CA/games/detail/n-plus-plus-switch Xbox One: https://www.microsoft.com/en-CA/store/p/N-/BT33CHSSB89V Steam: http://store.steampowered.com/app/230270 PS4: https://store.playstation.com/#!/en-us/games/n-plus-plus-(n)/cid=UP2108-CUSA00041_00-NPPGAMENPPGAMENP Kartridge: https://www.kartridge.com/games/MetanetSoftware/n-nplusplus

Then from the Main Menu, just go to Browse, and choose the “Featured” tab. So easy! Of course the levels probably aren’t ;)

Want to suggest levels to feature, to make your own levels, or to enter design contests? Join the excellent community on discord: http://discord.gg/nplusplus

[metanetsoftware]

This month, we have a strikingly beautiful set of levels to Feature -- this is in keeping with the trend from the incredible N++ level design community :D Here’s what the curators have to say about these:

This batch of features includes the three winners from dMMc MM04, aka the N++ community’s regular mapmaking contest.The theme for MM04 was "HOME". The maps submitted for that month can be found by searching “MM04” in-game. The top three maps were determined by votes from N++ community members: 1st place - habitation mode: outpost [MM04] by NateyPooPoo 2nd place - reverie [mm04] by wolf 3rd place - You Are Always Welcome Here [MM04] by yahoozy These contests are ongoing, so if you would like to create or vote for dMMc maps, check out #contests on the N++ community discord. Thank you to everyone who submitted maps and voted on their favorites! https://monthlymapping.wordpress.com discord.gg/nplusplus

Thank you for the submissions, Damian, and to everyone who contributed levels (Qz, abho, yahoozy, wolf, and NateyPooPoo) and commentary (bigblargh aka sam, and DarkStuff)! Also, thanks to donfuy for creating this Monthly Mapping Contest, it’s super cool :D

Here are the levels, from the top screenshot above, to bottom:

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Name: Alternating Current Author: Qz “Despite the best efforts of your physics teacher, comparisons to water pressure or moving rope fail to tell the full story of electricity. It can’t be accurately modeled by any other physical phenomena; electricity plays by its own rules. An annual average of two electrocution deaths are associated with consumers disassembling microwave ovens. Do not attempt to open or dissemble electrical appliances without training. You can be electrocuted and killed by capacitors even when the device has been unplugged. Do not attempt to save a person who is being electrocuted or you also risk electrocution. You can only touch them when they are no longer being electrocuted, at which point you must call emergency services and prepare to start CPR if they are not breathing normally.” -bigblargh aka sam --------------------------------------- Name: bag of chips Author: abho Just like a bag of chips, I keep taking handfuls of this level when I am well aware I should stop and take a break. It's the perfect junk food level: it looks hard but it isn't, it looks messy but it's very intentional, it's short enough you can just keep taking bites, and it's got a nice variety of simple flavors -- such as gatling, laser, and your classic zap, along with some sprinklings of mines. It's one of those simple levels I just can't stop playing. Om nom nom. -DarkStuff --------------------------------------- Name: You Are Always Welcome Here [MM04] Author: yahoozy --------------------------------------- Name: reverie [mm04] Author: wolf --------------------------------------- Name: habitation mode: outpost [MM04] Author: NateyPooPoo

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Want to play these levels? Awesome! All levels can be played from all platforms. First, you’ll need N++:

Nintendo Switch: https://www.nintendo.com/en_CA/games/detail/n-plus-plus-switch Xbox One: https://www.microsoft.com/en-CA/store/p/N-/BT33CHSSB89V Steam: http://store.steampowered.com/app/230270 PS4: https://store.playstation.com/#!/en-us/games/n-plus-plus-(n)/cid=UP2108-CUSA00041_00-NPPGAMENPPGAMENP Kartridge: https://www.kartridge.com/games/MetanetSoftware/n-nplusplus

Then from the Main Menu, just go to Browse, and choose the “Featured” tab. So easy! Of course the levels probably aren’t ;)

Want to suggest levels to feature, to make your own levels, or to enter design contests? Join the excellent community on discord: http://discord.gg/nplusplus

[metanetsoftware]

Happy Spring! This month, we have even more amazing levels for you to check out, courtesy of the incredible N++ community. Here’s what Nate has to say about these:

donfuy’s Monthly Mapping contest began on April 3rd, 2022, and it is still going strong. That’s one year of mapping excellence from our highly creative and dedicated community! As of now a total of 186 maps have been made throughout 12 months of themes. Special shout out to SuperVolcano who took over for donfuy and kept this wonderful contest running into a new year. The theme for MM03 was “EPIC FINALE.” The maps submitted for that month can be found by searching “MM03” in-game. The top three maps were determined by votes from N++ community members.

1st place- “Final Flight of the Phoenix MM03” by frankytrees 2nd place- “MM03 - Vault Runner” by zakalwe 3rd place- “MM03 // basement darkness” by abho

These contests are ongoing, so if you would like to create or vote for dMMc maps, check out #contests on the N++ community discord. Thank you to everyone who submitted maps and voted on their favorites!

https://monthlymapping.wordpress.com

discord.gg/nplusplus

Thank you for the submissions, Nate, and to everyone who contributed levels (NiceDay, sclews, abho, zakalwe (A.K.A. astheoceanblue, and frankytrees) and commentary (NateyPooPoo, and DarkStuff)! Also, thanks to donfuy for creating this Monthly Mapping Contest, it’s super cool :D

Here are the levels, from the top screenshot above, to bottom:

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Name: My Land Author: NiceDay

Here we answer the question: "What if a tesseract sneezes?" Not that it's a question anyone asked, or one that particularly needed answering. Yet here we are, or rather, there we are, no wait, over there, hold on... Where are we? -NateyPooPoo

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Name: weird trophy Author: sclews

In celebration of their excellence in level design... and for their affinity for rewarding linear experiences... and their fine-tuned drone patterns... and -- this list just keeps going doesn't it? -- their mastery of mine placement... and, uh, and their propensity for turning their regurgitated luncheons into ninja-killing contraptions... and -- is that appropriate to say here? I'm, yeah I'm going to skip that one. And their railing against Buddhism -- we give awards for that? Uh, yeah okay so this is for sclews. Uh, we give this trophy to! Sclews! Alright I'm done here, this thing is really awkward to hold, too. -DarkStuff

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Name: MM03 // basement darkness Author: abho

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Name: MM03 - Vault Runner Author: zakalwe (A.K.A. astheoceanblue)

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Name: Final Flight of the Phoenix MM03 Author: frankytrees

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Want to play these levels? Awesome! All levels can be played from all platforms. First, you’ll need N++:

Nintendo Switch: https://www.nintendo.com/en_CA/games/detail/n-plus-plus-switch Xbox One: https://www.microsoft.com/en-CA/store/p/N-/BT33CHSSB89V Steam: http://store.steampowered.com/app/230270 PS4: https://store.playstation.com/#!/en-us/games/n-plus-plus-(n)/cid=UP2108-CUSA00041_00-NPPGAMENPPGAMENP Kartridge: https://www.kartridge.com/games/MetanetSoftware/n-nplusplus

Then from the Main Menu, just go to Browse, and choose the “Featured” tab. So easy! Of course the levels probably aren’t ;)

Want to suggest levels to feature, to make your own levels, or to enter design contests? Join the excellent community on discord: http://discord.gg/nplusplus

[metanetsoftware]

Hello again, and get ready for another bunch of stellar N++ levels! The quality and creativity of maps made by the incredible community is consistently amazing. Here’s what bigblargh aka sam has to say about these:

“This batch of features includes the three winners from dMMc MM02, aka the N++ community's regular mapmaking contest. The theme for MM02 was "FACES." This contest received lots of amazing submissions that can be found by searching "MM02" in-game. The top three maps were determined by votes from N++ community members.

1st place- "Mr H.E. Pennypacket [MM02]" by frankytrees 2nd place- "Dana in the mirror dreams" by paulqlight 3rd place- "[MM02] unrequited" by Skylighter

These contests are ongoing, so if you would like to create or vote for dMMc maps, check out #contests on the N++ community discord. Thank you to everyone who submitted maps and voted on their favorites!

https://monthlymapping.wordpress.com discord.gg/nplusplus”

Thank you for the submissions, bigblargh, and to everyone who contributed levels (bigblargh, paulqlight, frankytrees, and Skylighter) and commentary (J.R.R Tolkien (hah), and DarkStuff)!

Here are the levels, from the top screenshot above, to bottom:

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Name: Shadow and Flame Author: frankytrees

"THEY'RE TAKING THE HOBBITS TO ISENGARD! THEY'RE TAKING THE HOBBITS TO ISENGARD! THEY'RE TAKING THE HOBBITS TO ISENGARD! THEY'RE TAKING THE HOBBITS TO ISENGARD! THEY'RE TAKING THE HOBBITS TO ISENGARD! THEY'RE TAKING THE HOBBITS TO ISENGARD! THEY'RE TAKING THE HOBBITS TO ISENGARD-GARD-GARDGARDGARDGARD!" - J. R. R. Tolkien

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Name: Garden Guardian Author: bigblargh aka sam

"Do I really need to explain what's good here? There's a snail staring you in the face, you really need me to convince you to play? Okay fine, but let it be known that if you weren't immediately taken, we have some problems. First, the availability of winning right off the bat allows you to loosen up. You're not facing a challenge, you're facing a ride, and the ride, if you so choose to ride it, is spiraling as much as you like. The gold offers an incentive to go through the little pipes, which then shoot you into the air so that you can collect the shining snail shell. You collect the spiral, you yourself spiral, and the spiral gets bigger as the gold gets smaller, eventually launching you up into the finish. For being a snail, this thing sure goes fast. Make sure to enjoy it."

-DarkStuff

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Name: [MM02] unrequited Author: Skylighter

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Name: Dana in the mirror dreams Author: paulqlight

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Name: Mr. H.E. Pennypacker [MM02] Author: frankytrees

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Want to play these levels? Awesome! All levels can be played from all platforms. First, you’ll need N++:

Nintendo Switch: https://www.nintendo.com/en_CA/games/detail/n-plus-plus-switch Xbox One: https://www.microsoft.com/en-CA/store/p/N-/BT33CHSSB89V Steam: http://store.steampowered.com/app/230270 PS4: https://store.playstation.com/#!/en-us/games/n-plus-plus-(n)/cid=UP2108-CUSA00041_00-NPPGAMENPPGAMENP Kartridge: https://www.kartridge.com/games/MetanetSoftware/n-nplusplus

Then from the Main Menu, just go to Browse, and choose the “Featured” tab. So easy! Of course the levels probably aren’t ;)

Want to suggest levels to feature, to make your own levels, or to enter design contests? Join the excellent community on discord: http://discord.gg/nplusplus

[metanetsoftware]

Happy Valentine’s Day! It’s a new year, and a new opportunity to check out some amazing N++ levels made by the extremely talented community.

Here’s a word from the level featuring team: “Our plan for now is to submit winners from the ongoing mapping contest dMMc (https://monthlymapping.wordpress.com) in addition to 1-2 extra picks to keep the featured level batches in groups of 5.

I'm sending over the winners of the first edition of the contest with an extra valentines themed pick, I hope you enjoy :)”

Thank you for the submissions, Kostucha, and to everyone who contributed levels (abho, frankytrees, and HZ)!

Here are the levels, from the top screenshot above, to bottom:

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Name: Hold On to My Love Author: HZ

“How can you say no” - Kostucha

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3rd place tie: Name: MM01 // shattered Author: abho

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3rd place tie: Name: Timekeeper [MM01] Author: frankytrees

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2nd place: Name: [MM01] Cathedralist Author: HZ

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1st place: Name: 7 Years Bad Luck [MM01] Author: frankytrees

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Want to play these levels? Awesome! All levels can be played from all platforms.First, you’ll need N++:

Nintendo Switch: https://www.nintendo.com/en_CA/games/detail/n-plus-plus-switch Xbox One: https://www.microsoft.com/en-CA/store/p/N-/BT33CHSSB89V Steam: http://store.steampowered.com/app/230270 PS4: https://store.playstation.com/#!/en-us/games/n-plus-plus-(n)/cid=UP2108-CUSA00041_00-NPPGAMENPPGAMENP Kartridge: https://www.kartridge.com/games/MetanetSoftware/n-nplusplus

Then from the Main Menu, just go to Browse, and choose the “Featured” tab. So easy! Of course the levels probably aren’t ;)

Want to suggest levels to feature, to make your own levels, or to enter design contests?Join the excellent community on discord: http://discord.gg/nplusplus

[metanetsoftware]

Happy Pride everyone! This month, we have another amazing selection of incredible levels from the N++ community, which show off the many talents and skills these players have.

Here’s a word from the level featuring team: “The review team wishes you a very happy -- oh, whoops, uh second half of -- Pride Month! [...]  While we didn't pick maps specifically for Pride Month, we did color the screenshots to be rainbow, which I think is pretty fair --  they should make a lovely little rainbow.”  They do! So beautiful.

Thank you for the  submissions, DarkStuff, and to everyone who contributed  levels  ( tytytbone13 , lifdoff , Leachy_jr, Zarah, and DrAnvil ) and commentary ( DarkStuff, NateyPooPoo, and r10pez10 )!

Here are the levels, from the top screenshot above, to bottom:

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Name: oh, fun box! Author: tytytbone13 "fun box? does what it says on the tin" ~ r10pez10 (guest pick by ekisacik)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Name: Dalton needs hugs Author: Leachy_jr "No one can truly know pain until they have spent countless hours playtesting and perfecting each part of a map, pouring every ounce of care into the beautiful balance of gameplay and aesthetics... only to have that map proverbially yeeted off the front page with 25 levels banged out by a monkey on a typewriter. Yet when everyone else went on the attack, shaming Dalton's every corner, our beloved Leachy_jr said "Nay, there is one among us who might need a hug the most..." Even artificial intelligence ought to eventually learn what love is, and who better to assist than the wonderful N++ community. And to Dalton, if you ever read this: please hop into the discord and say hi. I will have a hug ready for you." ~ NateyPooPoo ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Name: back alleys Author: lifdoff "Lifdoff once again shows himself as the master of picking a theme and sticking to it. He introduces the deceptively simple mechanic in the first room -- you've seen this before. Activate thwumps, wait for them to get out of the way. You're unimpressed. You couldn't possibly be less surprised. But wait. These rooms are starting to get a bit more complicated. The timings are tighter and your movement is stranger, yet never without its momentum and always without jank. The map looks like it might be routable, but it discretely pushes you towards one natural route that has been fine-tuned for your enjoyment. Bait thwumps, react to their movements. Get through crevices. Evade the cops by slipping into the back alleys -- they may own the roads, but you own everything else." ~ DarkStuff ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Name: tilt Author: Zarah "Thank you for participating in the beta N++ 3D platformer experience version 42.8.34. Please remember to place your complimentary glasses into the bin by the exit door." ~ NateyPooPoo ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Name: Nmlss-051 Author: DrAnvil "Vr gd lvl" ~ DarkStuff

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Want to play these levels? Awesome! All levels can be played from all platforms.First, you’ll need N++:

Nintendo Switch: https://www.nintendo.com/en_CA/games/detail/n-plus-plus-switch Xbox One: https://www.microsoft.com/en-CA/store/p/N-/BT33CHSSB89V Steam: http://store.steampowered.com/app/230270 PS4: https://store.playstation.com/#!/en-us/games/n-plus-plus-(n)/cid=UP2108-CUSA00041_00-NPPGAMENPPGAMENP Kartridge: https://www.kartridge.com/games/MetanetSoftware/n-nplusplus

Then from the Main Menu, just go to Browse, and choose the “Featured” tab. So easy! Of course the levels probably aren’t ;)

Want to suggest levels to feature, to make your own levels, or to enter design contests?Join the excellent community on discord: http://discord.gg/nplusplus

[metanetsoftware]

Another month, another amazing selection of jaw-dropping levels from the N++ community! The creativity and dynamism of these levels and their creators is so awesome. Thank you for the  submissions, DarkStuff, and to everyone who contributed  levels  ( MrFlibbleIsVeryCross, NewGirl+, Leachy_jr, poober, and Deltarzivl) and  commentary ( DarkStuff, NateyPooPoo, HamSandwich, Kostucha and Skylighter)!

Here are the levels, from the top screenshot above, to bottom:

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Name: punctuate Author: NewGirl+ It's optional... but you waaaant it. But it's optional! But you WANT it. It is optional... ... but you WAAAANT it ~ DarkStuff

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Name: I’m just going out for milk Author: MrFlibbleIsVeryCross I’m just going out for milk. No reason to be afraid, right? The world is dark, and I’m all alone, but I have nothing to worry about. Wait a minute… Didn’t I pass that guy earlier? That’s odd… Whoa, there he is again! Maybe I’m being paranoid, but I’m starting to think those bullets he sprays every time he sees me are meant to kill me! …No, no, don’t be silly, I’m probably just overthinking things. Maybe he’s just going out for milk too… ~ HamSandwich

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Name: Realistically Impossible Author: Deltarzivl This is another case of falling in love with a map at first sight. The aesthetic is really crisp, and the one-ways jutting out of the blocks like padding add to it quite well. As an avid lover of both tough levels and mine-jumpers, this perfectly fits my niche as a player - the many different types of jumps you have to make and the consistently tight squeezes all throughout the level thanks to Deltarzivl's minework keep it both uniform and unique to the very end. The name doesn't lie, either - it's one of the toughest and longest mine-jumper levels in the entire game, and for most, achieving victory will be realistically impossible. Do you dare defy Deltarzivl's bold claim and triumph over this behemoth? ~ Skylighter

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Name: Scaped Author: Leachy_jr When is a floorguard not a floorguard? When it's a door. That was a terrible joke. This is a terrific level. Like Icarus your wings are made of wax.. Reach too high and the door to victory shuts tight in front of you. ~ NateyPooPoo

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Name: [TC1] curb your enthusiasm Author: poober Such is life. Don't get ahead of yourself or you might end up splatting on walls... or... something... like that. ~ Kostucha

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Want to play these levels? Awesome! All levels can be played from all platforms.First, you’ll need N++:

Nintendo Switch: https://www.nintendo.com/en_CA/games/detail/n-plus-plus-switch Xbox One: https://www.microsoft.com/en-CA/store/p/N-/BT33CHSSB89V Steam: http://store.steampowered.com/app/230270 PS4: https://store.playstation.com/#!/en-us/games/n-plus-plus-(n)/cid=UP2108-CUSA00041_00-NPPGAMENPPGAMENP Kartridge: https://www.kartridge.com/games/MetanetSoftware/n-nplusplus

Then from the Main Menu, just go to Browse, and choose the “Featured” tab. So easy! Of course the levels probably aren’t ;)

Want to suggest levels to feature, to make your own levels, or to enter design contests?Join the excellent community on discord: http://discord.gg/nplusplus

[metanetsoftware]

This month we have another selection of really incredible levels by the stellar level designers in the N++ community! Wow, the intricate tile and entity designs this time around -- just amazing. Drop what you're doing and check these out! Thank you for the submissions, Skylighter, and to everyone who contributed levels (HamSandwich, NewGirl+, NiceDay, Frankytrees, and Hemogoblin) and commentary (Skylighter, NateyPooPoo, HamSandwich, Kostucha and bigblargh)!

Here are the levels, from the top screenshot above, to bottom:

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FIGHT BACK by NewGirl+

Like having amnesia and deja vu at the same time. Each room creates itself to tell a new piece of a story you thought you already knew. Remember to forget what you don't know yet and drive your way through these furtive hallways. The end is behind and in front of you. -NateyPooPoo

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VegetatioN by HamSandwich

N++ is a grid-based game full of robots, lasers, missiles, and bullets. Everything about the game evokes futuristic technology. Therefore, HamSandwich's "VegetatioN" is a naturalistic triumph. Ham isn't just suggesting the presence of natural things, instead he actually composed leaves, stems, roses, and thorns. Any mapmaker who has tried to bring the natural world into the robotic one understands just how difficult Ham's accomplishment is. Here the ninja can feel peace while strolling amongst the roses, but if a highscore is desired, the winding garden path offers a maddening number of routing choices. I don't say this lightly: this is a map anyone can enjoy. -bigblargh AKA sam

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A reversal of fortunes by NiceDay

A level where for once you'll find yourself willingly chasing the enemies. If you think on your feet and trust your instincts you might just be able to survive. -Kostucha

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For Skylighter - Phoenix Rising by Frankytrees

Rising from the ashes once more, the blazing Phoenix soars into the sky and casts its piercing gaze onto the world below!' I think this level encompasses everything I wanted to see in a map about myself. It's got the very fiery, bold design, the sharp tiles that accentuate the map, the very deceptively simple yet precarious movement on the one-ways, everything! I'm okay with it not being very hard in the end - when Franky began to make the map, he had actually asked me about the difficulty, and we ended up on something that was accessible to most, but not necessarily easy - it couldn't have come out better. I think Franky's map is definitely an easier-to-handle version of what I stand for as a mapper, both in artistic integrity and level design. I'm also very much absolutely in love with the artwork - Franky made the analogy of a phoenix when he thought of my handle, and it translated incredibly well to the medium of mines and tiles. The scorching, spanning wings and the blazing tail really bring out the charm of the great avian, radiating an air of legend and power. All in all, despite being simple to play, it's one of the many reasons I adore the effort mappers like Franky put into creating amazing art in such a niche medium. -Skylighter

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Popularity contest by Hemogoblin

There are two idiots in front of me, arguing. “I’m her favorite! I copy her every move, I worship the ground she walks on! I deserve to be with her!” one of them whines. “Ha!”, the other scoffs, “you’re just a pathetic minion. What she needs is someone strong. Someone who’s brave enough to approach her head-on, rather than meekly following in her footsteps. Someone like ME.” I roll my eyes and continue collecting all their gold. After all, this isn’t a popularity contest. It’s a robbery. -HamSandwich

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Want to play these levels? Awesome! All levels can be played from all platforms.First, you’ll need N++:

Nintendo Switch: https://www.nintendo.com/en_CA/games/detail/n-plus-plus-switch Xbox One: https://www.microsoft.com/en-CA/store/p/N-/BT33CHSSB89V Steam: http://store.steampowered.com/app/230270 PS4: https://store.playstation.com/#!/en-us/games/n-plus-plus-(n)/cid=UP2108-CUSA00041_00-NPPGAMENPPGAMENP Kartridge: https://www.kartridge.com/games/MetanetSoftware/n-nplusplus

Then from the Main Menu, just go to Browse, and choose the “Featured” tab. So easy! Of course the levels probably aren’t ;)

Want to suggest levels to feature, to make your own levels, or to enter design contests?Join the excellent community on discord: http://discord.gg/nplusplus

[metanetsoftware]

It's that time again -- time for more Featured levels, courtesy of the N++ community! Thank you for the submissions, bigblargh, and to everyone who contributed levels (HamSandwich, BanjoDave, sclews, VR456, and Gealx3) and commentary (aloading444, DarkStuff, and bigblargh)!

Here are the levels, from the top screenshot above, to bottom:

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Outrunning the Swarm by HamSandwich "So you finally get into the hive and out, though you've got a swarm of yourself chasing you and you need to get a bunch of switches to win. beautiful tiling, with many routing options and great aesthetics." - aloading444 ———————————————————-

whoa ha hup hup hup haaaoooo by BanjoDave "Yeah I know what you want. I get it. You saw the title. I won't! You can't make me. There's not a single fun bone in my body. Go on. Git." - DarkStuff ———————————————————- I am so grateful by sclews "Gratefulness is the shortest path to happiness. The mere remembrance of something beautiful can be enough to warm you when you are cold. I am grateful for N++. I am grateful for sclews too." - bigblargh ———————————————————- my first year playing by Gealx3 "This level is so charming It probably deserves a feature" - DarkStuff ———————————————————- Biokinetics 2 <SN12> by VR456 "VR456 is constrained. VR456 in N++'s editor is like an elephant in a cage. He's trying to break the locks, which makes me wonder what he'd do if someone let him out. Until then he'll be cranking out absolute bangers like "Biokinetics 2 <SN12>." Precious few maps hit you with such an immediate sense of setting. This level's so atmospheric that Hollywood should take notes. I think VR456 was trying to cram an entire indie game into this thing. The only missing detail is the Kickstarter." - bigblargh

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Want to play these levels? Awesome! All levels can be played from all platforms.

First, you'll need N++:

Nintendo Switch: https://www.nintendo.com/en_CA/games/detail/n-plus-plus-switch Xbox One: https://www.microsoft.com/en-CA/store/p/N-/BT33CHSSB89V Steam: http://store.steampowered.com/app/230270 PS4: https://store.playstation.com/#!/en-us/games/n-plus-plus-(n)/cid=UP2108-CUSA00041_00-NPPGAMENPPGAMENP Kartridge: https://www.kartridge.com/games/MetanetSoftware/n-nplusplus

Then from the Main Menu, just go to Browse, and choose the “Featured” tab. So easy! Of course the levels probably aren’t ;)

Want to suggest levels to feature, to make your own levels, or to enter design contests?

Join the excellent community on discord: http://discord.gg/nplusplus

[metanetsoftware]

We're back with more Featured levels, thanks to the N++ community! Every time we're surprised and delighted by the level designs, and we're so thankful for the awesome creativity you all have. Thank you for the submissions, bigblargh, and to everyone who contributed levels (Kalanchoe, docq!, Melancholy, VR456, and Gealx3) and commentary ( donfuy, DarkStuff, and bigblargh)!

Here are the levels, from the top screenshot above, to bottom: //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Kid’s room by Kalanchoe

DECLARATION OF MAPMAKING VIOLATION 102834

WHEREAS, in November 2021, I, bigblargh, Member of N++ Mapmaking Quality Control Commission, issued a Declaration of Mapmaking Violation to facilitate the protection of the Mapmaking Community,

WHEREAS, on September 5th, 2021, Mapmaker, Kalanchoe, composed a Cavalier Graphical Projection despite established D.A.L.T.O.N. standards Sec. 6(9) requiring Isometric or Dimetric Graphical Projections only,

WHEREAS, on September 5th, 2021, Mapmaker, Kalanchoe, partially encased three (3) Deathballs within wall tiles in direct violation of Deathball Right to Travel,

WHEREAS, on September 5th, 2021, Mapmaker, Kalanchoe, placed topologically inaccessible gold arranged in shapes not submitted or approved by the Universal Gold Placement Volunteer Group,

NOW THEREFORE, by the power vested in me as Reviewer and the Laws of The Userlevels Tab,

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT Kalanchoe is mandated to attend Mapmaking Standards & Ethics School by 2022. It is the personal opinion of this Commission Member that Kalanchoe heed Mapmaking standards or they will never have a chance at a featured map.

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Hitbox Differences by docq!

There are plenty of N map genres that aren't strictly gameplay related, like DDA, machines, and art maps. But what about levels that teach you how to play the game? In "Hitbox Differences" docq instructs us with seven crystal-clear hitbox demonstrations. It's no surprise that docq is privy to this arcane knowledge considering his intensely difficult maps and terrifying Switch high scores. If anyone ever gets 100% on Switch, it will definitely be him. Only N can help us should he ever decide to set his terrible visage upon the PC version.

Six out of seven of docq!'s hitbox demonstrations leave the ninja dead.

-bigblargh

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96-02 by Melancholy

No seriously, I'm telling you, these people are so rich they leave piles of money in the rosebushes out front! Come on, they won't even notice it's missing. Easy in and out, won't take us five minutes. Hm? Gunshots? I heard no such thing.

- DarkStuff

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Foul vapors (CN188) by VR456

it's a poisonous life

fluffy clouds hanging above and beneath you

small, blocky objects vanish in your mind as quickly as they enter it - who cares! look at all the fluffy clouds!

so comfy! so nice and beautiful and cozy! embracing you, helping you; it's just what you needed - it's all you'll ever need!

nononono don't go! let me embrace you once again, just one more time.

haha oops you slipped! if it wasn't for me you'd be seriously hurt!

come onnnn, you know you don't want to leave me.

you won't leave me.

-donfuy

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bike chain by Gealx3

Found object art is art that functions by placing everyday — or at least typically "mundane" objects — into a new context that gives them depth and meaning. Here, we see Geal's latest entry into this storied art tradition, "bike chain." He has boldly placed this vehicle component into a completely new medium: N++. The bike chain has been reinterpreted, reworked, as a ninja death trap, or is it a ninja playground? That is the beauty of such art. It is interpretive. Personally, I think ninja go whee.

-DarkStuff

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Want to play these levels? Awesome! All levels can be played from all platforms.

First, get N++: Nintendo Switch: https://www.nintendo.com/en_CA/games/detail/n-plus-plus-switch Xbox One: https://www.microsoft.com/en-CA/store/p/N-/BT33CHSSB89V Steam: http://store.steampowered.com/app/230270 PS4: https://store.playstation.com/#!/en-us/games/n-plus-plus-(n)/cid=UP2108-CUSA00041_00-NPPGAMENPPGAMENP Kartridge: https://www.kartridge.com/games/MetanetSoftware/n-nplusplus

Then from the Main Menu, just go to Browse, and choose the “Featured” tab. So easy! Of course the levels probably aren’t ;)

Want to suggest levels to feature, to make your own levels, or to enter design contests?

Join the excellent community on discord: http://discord.gg/nplusplus

[metanetsoftware]

This month, we have a Double Feature! Yes, that's double the Featured levels there usually are! You know what they say, double your pleasure, double your fun -- you'll find it's as true for gum as it is for N++ levels.

Thank you for the submissions, bigblargh, and to everyone who contributed levels (MIJ-JY, AriOnSan, yefffef,  Cainos, Omega, vanjelis, VR456, Sept, sclews, and HamSandwich) and commentary ( HamSandwich, DarkStuff, Your Personal N++ Phobia Specialist, and bigblargh -- and shoutout to frankytrees for his writing last post as well)! It's amazing, every time we think the level design and writing for these Featured levels has reached a high, you all find a way to surpass it. You are incredible.

Here are the levels, from the top screenshot above, to bottom: //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

silhouette quiz ver.2 by MIJ-JY

"MIJ-JY’s “silhouette quiz ver.2” is the most amazing N machine I have ever seen. I dare you to reverse engineer it. The map starts with a 16-bit pseudo-randomizer that determines the machine’s behavior. Following that is a Don’t Do Anything section that shapes a mass of drones into a silhouette. The ninja drops through one of four columns that each contain four toggle mine silhouettes, and the column that is toggled indicates your set of multiple choice answers. Match the toggle mine silhouette with the drone silhouette vertically using the down-right facing springs. Choose correctly and win, choose incorrectly and die. Now that I’ve explained to you how the map works, can someone please explain to me how this map works!?"

- bigblargh

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hikkosi by AriOnSan

"In Japanese, "hikkosi'' means "moving." In this level, you move drones from one square to another. This level transcends being a simple proof-of-concept, in which it showcases how to move drones through doors, by the starting room becoming ever more crowded as you move drones from one space to another, and the risk-reward of seeing if you can get away with moving less than all of the drones and still succeeding. The gold at the very end also lends itself to very tight highscoring instead of the level being completely bottlenecked and frame-tied.

But there's more to this level than that. Zoom out your point of view, and look at the shapes. As I see it, these two squares are the heads of two people. A child, on the left, and someone strapped to a gurney on the right. The level, for me, transcended not just its simple mechanics, but its status as merely a level. Here, we see something moving from the presumably hospitalized, larger person's head, into the head of the child. Are these thoughts? Lessons? Memories? I don't know, but somehow, I am leaving this level feeling something. I hope you can feel this something, too."

- DarkStuff

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Short Cut by yefffef

"There's something that's just too fun about finding cheese in a level. It's not malicious, but... it's taboo. You feel like you're doing something wrong and getting away with it. You submit your replay, and maybe you feel the tiniest twinge of guilt... but no. No, not really. If you haven't done it, you're truly missing out. If you want to experience the naughtiness of cheesing a level without actually getting on anyone's nerves, yefffef has you covered. As the name implies, the cheese here is intentional. So hey. Come get a taste. Widen your palate. Cheese a level and see just how good it feels to be bad."

- DarkStuff

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Texture Pacing by Cainos

"It’s a joy to experiment with the various brushes in this digital painting program. Unfortunately, it seems to crash whenever the brushstroke crosses itself. We can only hope that the dev Cainos fixes this ridiculous oversight in the update."

-bigblargh

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Bamboo Forest by Omega

"Honey, this trip isn't as calming as I was expecting it to be, even if it is rather pretty."

- DarkStuff

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Profane Crypt by vanjelis

"A ninja understands that gold is gold. Gold can always be purified, no matter the power of the hex, no matter how tightly clutched by mottled hands of corpses. A ninja cares not for sacrilege or personal insult. Angels, demons, and shamans who shoot crystal arrows across the night sky hold no meaning to those who see only chemicals. Melt it until the impurities burn away. A ninja’s concern is elemental, not of spirit. Gold is gold."

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unsuperhighway by VR456

"Do you want to dodge bullets, like I do? Do you want to jump through strata, like I do? Do you want a short level that challenges your routing abilities, like I do? Do you want to feel like a true ninja, like I do? Maybe you should play through this level every once in a while, just to go fast, just to be the car travelling down the unsuperhighway, carrying the microchip cargo you know you can't let those cyberpunk mobsters take back. Just every once in a while. Like I do."

- DarkStuff

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i <3 chasers by Sept

“GRIPPED BY FEAR? PARALYZED BY ANXIETY? DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE BEING FOLLOWED? THERE IS A PERMANENT SOLUTION! CONGRATULATIONS, YOUR EXPOSURE THERAPY BEGINS NOW!!!”

- Your Personal N++ Phobia Specialist

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simplerocket [T++G--] by sclews

"It is, as its name implies, simple. Yet sometimes, simplicity is the soul of wit. Er, brevity is the soul of wit. Which also follows because it is brief. Look, what I'm trying to say is that this level is fun as hell! Sclews has made a small, short, simple environment in which the rocket at the center of everything is always and forever on your tail, preventing your ascent, preventing your descent, preventing your gold collection, preventing your door key collection, preventing whatever it dang well pleases. It's annoying in exactly the way I like it."

- DarkStuff

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str10 - Earthquake by HamSandwich

"HamSandwich strikes again with a wonderful artsy level. As usual, Ham keeps their entity palette and tile palette consistent, bringing a feeling of theme throughout. And that theme is the world crashing down! The archways evoke a broken, tumbling building which we have to go into to salvage some unknown treasure before escaping the scene and (hopefully) surviving the natural disaster. Floorguards may be stand-ins for screaming, panicking civilians, or perhaps represent the fact that you can't trust the shaking ground beneath your feet. Two open gatling drone chambers on either side of the building add a nice contrast to the cramped indoors, and the tiles are aligned perfectly for satisfying gold collection and tight jumps around gausses."

- DarkStuff

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Want to play these levels? Awesome! All levels can be played from all platforms.

First, get N++: Nintendo Switch: https://www.nintendo.com/en_CA/games/detail/n-plus-plus-switch Xbox One: https://www.microsoft.com/en-CA/store/p/N-/BT33CHSSB89V Steam: http://store.steampowered.com/app/230270 PS4: https://store.playstation.com/#!/en-us/games/n-plus-plus-(n)/cid=UP2108-CUSA00041_00-NPPGAMENPPGAMENP Kartridge: https://www.kartridge.com/games/MetanetSoftware/n-nplusplus

Then from the Main Menu, just go to Browse, and choose the “Featured” tab. So easy! Of course the levels probably aren’t ;)

Want to suggest levels to feature, to make your own levels, or to enter design contests?

Join the excellent community on discord: http://discord.gg/nplusplus #nplusplus#level-design#community-made levels#gamedev

[metanetsoftware]

It’s warming up and things are starting to seem hopeful as people are getting vaccinated, and people start thinking about getting together again – in the meantime, why not brush up on your ninja skills and check out these new Featured levels! Thank you for the submissions, bigblargh, and to everyone who contributed levels (Yellotone , abho, w3rt9,  dcl00713, and NewGirl+) and commentary ( HamSandwich, DarkStuff, and bigblargh) – you all are consistently amazing!

Here are the levels, from top screenshot above to bottom:

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Charmer by Yellotone

“A strange and hypnotizing tune seeps out of the charmer’s instrument, compelling his subject to begin its performance. Effortlessly, it twists and weaves upwards into the air, before carefully and methodically descending down again. Its movements look planned, but it is simply a puppet being pulled along by the master behind the pungi. The entranced audience watches in awe as it dances around its pot, coiling itself close to the surface and leaping through the air. As the hypnotic music gently settles, so too does the magnificent spectacle of grace and control unfolding before their eyes. There is a moment of stunned silence, as if time has stopped in this little bubble of magic and wonder. The charmer carefully sets down his instrument and looks up expectantly at his audience, well aware of the effect his art creates. Finally, one of the snakes speaks up: “Bravo, Mr. Yahoozy. You certainly know how to charm that ninja.”

- HamSandwich

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rSLC0002 acrophile [C++E++T++]

by abho

“Some months ago — heck, has it been a year? — the mapping community decided to put their heads together and make remixes of Metanet levels, and we arbitrarily picked the Legacy episode C-00 to remix. I'm so glad we did, because from that project, abho produced two incredible maps, one of which I already featured, and then this one. First turning the tileset of the original level (C-00-02) upside down, abho completely changed the entity selection, and created something completely new. When I play this level, the word that comes to mind is "churning." It feels like you're one part of a big tornado, the center of which shoots you upward with a healthy heaping following of debris following the same air current you caught, in the form of evil ninjas. You then dance around the top of the tornado, thrown side to side and up and down by the rocket, and then you come crashing back down to the base of it all, only to jump into the middle and start again. Swirling, spinning, churning, swept up in a system bigger than yourself. If you want to feel like you're not in Kansas anymore, play this level.”

- DarkStuff

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Van crossing river

by w3rt9

“Is it Art? Or is it only a Game? The debate rages endlessly! Let's debate right now, you and I. What did you just say? No, that can't be right. What's this new argument you're articulating? Sorry, but I'm afraid I see it differently. You know what, instead of going any further, let's play w3rt9's "Van crossing river" instead. On one side, w3rt9 made a simple highscoring map, and on the other, a truly beautiful piece of N Art. I can have my half and you can have yours. Thank you, w3rt9, for finally putting the debate to rest.”

-bigblargh

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I'm kinda persistent (G--) by dcl00713

“To continue firmly in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition; this is what it means to be persistent, and it’s precisely what you’ll need to be to beat dcl00713’s latest gem. ‘I’m kinda persistent (G--)’  is an ingenious puzzle that skillfully pairs deathball manipulation with an underutilized bouncing mechanic. It’s a rare and unsettling experience, when you find yourself needing to pay as much attention to an item as you do your ninja. It almost feels meant to be when you see the first deathball gently fall out of its pipe and into a cozy little cubby-hole below. It’s not until you’re within steps of the exit that you realize this map is built like a finely crafted lock. Everything in it has been made with precision, and like a ninja locksmith, you’ll need to manipulate each ‘pin’ just right if you hope to achieve victory.”

- frankytrees

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plex by NewGirl+

ID: 74611

“These few mines are very very sassy.”

- DarkStuff

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Want to play these levels?

Awesome! All levels can be played from all platforms.

First, get N++:

Nintendo Switch:

https://www.nintendo.com/en_CA/games/detail/n-plus-plus-switch

Xbox One:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-CA/store/p/N-/BT33CHSSB89V

Steam:

http://store.steampowered.com/app/230270

PS4:

https://store.playstation.com/#!/en-us/games/n-plus-plus-(n)/cid=UP2108-CUSA00041_00-NPPGAMENPPGAMENP

Kartridge:

https://www.kartridge.com/games/MetanetSoftware/n-nplusplus

Then from the Main Menu, just go to Browse, and choose the “Featured” tab. So easy! Of course the levels probably aren’t ;)

Want to suggest levels to feature, to make your own levels, or to enter design contests?

Join the excellent community on discord:

http://discord.gg/nplusplus

[metanetsoftware]

What a long winter it’s been. This month’s levels are inventive and full of life, and they represent spring so well! Let’s take a look. Thank you for the submissions, DarkStuff!

And thanks to Skylighter, audrey (aka NewGirl+), HamSandwich and DarkStuff for the comments on each level! You all rock.

Here are the levels, from top screenshot above to bottom:

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Name: Hyper-Jungle Lazer Webvine Author: sam "Oh… oh no." - DarkStuff

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Name: Switch Valley Author: sam (aka bigblargh) "Yes’m, this here’s Switch Valley, where the trails are tangled and the cacti loom tall! Legend says there’s a rich bounty o’ gold for those who brave this deadly bed of thorns, but those fools that go down never come back up. You see them cliffs? They can’t be climbed, no ma’am. Once you’re down there, you’re stuck down there, at the mercy o’ the sun, the wind, the parched sands, and those god-forsaken overgrown cacti. Trust me — the gold ain’t worth your life. It'd take a bone-o’-fied ninja to get back up those cliffs!" - audrey (aka NewGirl+) ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Name: gash Authors: DarkStuff & ekisacik "This collaborative clash of the mapping titans is a masterclass in mine weaving and rocket dodging in every location conceivable. DarkStuff's magnificent sloped tileset and minework provides countless movement options against the waves of mines in the ninja's path. ekisacik's rocket, exit, and gold placement provide just the right amount of extra stress against the ninja's flow through the level. Go for a run that breaks even in time; that's how it's meant to be played, after all! An artistic masterpiece of a level. 10/10." - Skylighter ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Name: Pacesetter Author: Leachy Jr. "The Leachy Jr. Pacesetter test is a multistage aerobic capacity test that progressively gets more difficult as it continues. The 8 corridor test will begin momentarily. Line up at the start. The jumping speed starts slowly but gets faster each time you reach a C-switch surrounded by 8 gold. A single corridor should be completed every time you reach this point. Remember to alternate between sides of the corridors so as not to be totally obliterated by deadly high voltage laser beams. The second you do get totally obliterated by deadly high voltage laser beams, your test is over. The test will begin when the jump button is pressed. On your mark. Get ready! ... Start." - HamSandwich ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Name: Absolute Algae Author: alreadydead "This level reminds me of when I was little, and my parents would only allow me so much time on the screens. Usually I played Lego Star Wars, sometimes I played Mario, or even this obscure game I loved called Bugdom, but I could only do so for an hour a day. I was so enraptured with videogames, as I think many young people are, that one of the games of pretend I would play, in my free time, in the yard or in my room or by the window sill, would be to pretend that I'm playing a videogame. I'd make levels out of random objects I had around, and then hold my Yoshi plush toy and make it jump through hoops, narrating the gameplay and adding my sound effects. This level makes me think that alreadydead did that with moss on a rock, or maybe algae floating on a pond. I can imagine holding a little figurine of a ninja and squinting to make the perspective work, then dragging him around, adding my own explosive sound effects, and generally completely missing the point of going camping. And that's a certain type of joy." - DarkStuff

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Want to play these levels?

Awesome! All levels can be played from all platforms.

First, get N++:

Nintendo Switch:

https://www.nintendo.com/en_CA/games/detail/n-plus-plus-switch

Xbox One:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-CA/store/p/N-/BT33CHSSB89V

Steam:

http://store.steampowered.com/app/230270

PS4:

https://store.playstation.com/#!/en-us/games/n-plus-plus-(n)/cid=UP2108-CUSA00041_00-NPPGAMENPPGAMENP

Kartridge:

https://www.kartridge.com/games/MetanetSoftware/n-nplusplus

Then from the Main Menu, just go to Browse, and choose the “Featured” tab. So easy! Of course the levels probably aren’t ;)

Want to suggest levels to feature, to make your own levels, or to enter design contests?

Join the excellent community on discord:

http://discord.gg/nplusplus

[metanetsoftware]

February has flown by -- but before it’s gone, let’s take a look at some awesome new N++ levels! Thank you for the submissions, bigblargh!

Also, excellent work on both the level design and the writing about the levels this month, to everyone who contributed -- you are an incredibly talented bunch and we at Metanet are often in awe of your awesomeness.

So thanks to NateyPooPoo, audrey (aka NewGirl+), yefffef, Yellotone and Mistalker06 for the levels, and thanks to HamSandwich, DarkStuff, RandomDigits123, VR456 and bigblargh for the comments! You all rock.

Here are the levels, from top screenshot above to bottom:

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Gaunt by NateyPooPoo "Gaunt. Desolate. Abandoned, decrepit. The building these beams once upheld has rotted and fell away. Perhaps a court of law. Perhaps a library. It does not matter anymore. In the middle of nowhere, it may provide some semblance of shelter from the rain and wind, or a contemplative sitting spot for a passerby. Or, in the case of the ninja, a... playground? The get-in, get-out flow of this map is astounding. The single bounceblock is placed perfectly to aid in accessing the cubbyholes on each side, and then to assist in the ascent later on. The toggles and gold encourage unorthodox routing, and the single thwump at the bottom gives a nice mid-level thrill no matter what path you take. On an aesthetic level, the negative space, minidrones, and mines evoke desolation, infestation, and cobwebs respectively. Perhaps the thwump is an animal, come to reap the leftovers of human negligence, and doesn't much appreciate your intruding on its den." - DarkStuff ------------------------------------------ where we used to live by audrey (aka NewGirl+) "Our people lived in a paradise protected by great red walls. A glorious city, rich with gold, admired and envied by all. One dreadful night, the drones attacked, throughout our land they spread. They stormed our halls, and stole our wealth! With heavy hearts, we fled. Now that you’re here, adventurer, this is the quest we give: If you dare, take back what’s left of where we used to live." - HamSandwich ------------------------------------------ Butterfly Bizarre by yefffef "This isn't what an N map looks like. If you don't believe me, have a look at the hundreds of thousands of N levels that have been created over the game's history. They look nothing like this. This should be a fractal, or objects in a kaleidoscope, or marbled paper. And yet. And yet, it's Butterfly Bizarre and yefffef used N++ to make it." -RandomDigits123 ------------------------------------------ Mr. Sundae by Yellotone "Playing this levels feels absolutely nothing like eating a sundae. Instead of having a good, relaxing time enjoying a large, creamy scoop of ice cream dipped into chocolate and decorated with mouth watering nuts and bananas, Mr. Sundae offers us a very fast paced gold collectathon through various hills and slopes that allow the ninja to run faster than it ever has before.  All the meanwhile, the host of the map personally tries to kill us with his deadly, uncanny eye, looking straight into the player's soul. If anything, this level should've been named after the Monster energy drink flavor 'The Doctor' because the citrus rush that this soda gives is almost the same as the one you get while playing this map." -VR456 ------------------------------------------ Soap Dispenser Makes An Uneggspected Phone Call by Mistalker06 "In N terms, Race maps are ones with flowing, linear paths designed to make the player feel cool. Race maps can come in two unfortunate extremes: one that is so tough and obscure that you can’t interpret the mapmaker’s intended route, and the other which is so simple and brainless that it's essentially a Don't Do Anything with extra steps. The best Races land in the middle, which is exactly what Mistalker06 did with "Soap Dispenser Makes A Uneggspected Phone Call." The route is easy to find, but hard to nail down. The jumps are tricky, but fair. Only the nail-biting leap to the rightmost wall has the potential to keep you up at night. Mistalker06 even found a way to please N++ routing contrarians because they can sequence break to reach the exit early. This map's single flaw is that its title was uneggspectedly truncated by the 32 character limit, but if mistakes must be made, Mistalker06 erred flawlessly." -bigblargh

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Want to play these levels?

Awesome! All levels can be played from all platforms.

First, get N++:

Nintendo Switch:

https://www.nintendo.com/en_CA/games/detail/n-plus-plus-switch

Xbox One:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-CA/store/p/N-/BT33CHSSB89V

Steam:

http://store.steampowered.com/app/230270

PS4:

https://store.playstation.com/#!/en-us/games/n-plus-plus-(n)/cid=UP2108-CUSA00041_00-NPPGAMENPPGAMENP

Kartridge:

https://www.kartridge.com/games/MetanetSoftware/n-nplusplus

Then from the Main Menu, just go to Browse, and choose the “Featured” tab. So easy! Of course the levels probably aren’t ;)

Want to suggest levels to feature, to make your own levels, or to enter design contests?

Join the excellent community on discord:

http://discord.gg/nplusplus

[metanetsoftware]

Happy New Year! Here’s hoping this year is a great one for all of you -- ideally your best year yet. This month we have some really incredible maps for you to check out – and some more wonderful insights from bigblargh: “ With just a little more perseverance, things might go back to normal-- well ok maybe not normal, how about not completely fucked up? While I wait, I remain thankful for art and video games keeping me semi-sane. It's nice that N++ is both game & art. Players are trying to push their game skill to new heights while mappers refine their self-expression. Ever wonder what games or movies you'd bring to a deserted island? Well, we've tested it. After quarantines and shutdown it seems N++ is a really safe bet.”

Aw, thanks bigblargh, that’s so good to hear. Thank you for the submissions, too! And thanks to Audrey (aka NewGirl+), DarkStuff, Mr. Mrow and bigblargh for the comments!

Here are the levels, from top screenshot above to bottom:

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Happy new year! by MIJ-JY “If a game has a level editor, machines are inevitable. Doors become binary gates, one-ways become logic-paradox Königsberg bridges, and bounce pads direct the ninja through Rube Goldbergian marble machines (with no need for human input). I thought I'd seen it all until crazed engineer MIJ-JY came along. He has built sequential spelling devices, pseudo-random multiple choice animation machines, and even a tic-tac-toe board. In ‘Happy new year!’ MIJ-JY shows restraint compared to previous mechanisms. Here it takes only a jaunt up the hill to turn dusk to dawn. The scrolling banner changes from one date to the next, like a semi-ambigram. The question is, how the hell did they do it? Although this device's door-and-tile ‘programming’ is plainly visible, I only see that it runs, not how. I might as well inspect the gears inside a watch. For those who need answers, feel free to break this magical machine apart... good luck putting it back together again! By the way, my preferred palette for this map is ‘hope.’ Happy new year!” -bigblargh ------------------------------------------ Solsbury Hill by Yung Goin “‘Solsbury Hill’ demonstrates the elegant simplicity that, to me, perfectly encapsulates what makes N++ such a beautiful game. It takes the bare essentials and shapes them into something unique, something full of character. It has action and puzzles, it has a bunch of fun, flowy paths to explore, and it's got boatloads of style. What more could we ask for?” -Audrey (aka NewGirl+) ------------------------------------------ Fwoosh by Tilded “Cold to warm and back to cold. Death then life then back to death. Life's many great cycles spin like eternal prayer wheels, with us mortal souls caught in the eddy. In Tilded's ‘Fwoosh’ you are a wave of heat energy swinging from valence to valence like a pirouetting fairie. You rise, you fall, you return to the userlevels menu, and the prayer wheel spins eternal.” -bigblargh

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jump block by yefffef “‘jump block’ is a very long level that takes a while to figure out and is still hard to execute once you do. There's a ton of routing possibilities and it overall is a very fun ride, with many different options for all gold, basic completion, or other challenges you may lay out for yourself. The jumps feel very nice to pull off and flow very well, and the aesthetics are well done. I'd suggest giving it a while before watching replays, so you can do the routing yourself.” -Mr. Mrow ------------------------------------------ into the bunker by Zarah “I don’t feel very safe. I am, however, having a lot of fun.” -DarkStuff

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Want to play these levels?

Awesome! All levels can be played from all platforms.

First, get N++:

Nintendo Switch:

https://www.nintendo.com/en_CA/games/detail/n-plus-plus-switch

Xbox One:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-CA/store/p/N-/BT33CHSSB89V

Steam:

http://store.steampowered.com/app/230270

PS4:

https://store.playstation.com/#!/en-us/games/n-plus-plus-(n)/cid=UP2108-CUSA00041_00-NPPGAMENPPGAMENP

Kartridge:

https://www.kartridge.com/games/MetanetSoftware/n-nplusplus

Then from the Main Menu, just go to Browse, and choose the “Featured” tab. So easy! Of course the levels probably aren’t ;)

Want to suggest levels to feature, to make your own levels, or to enter design contests?

Join the excellent community on discord:

https://discordapp.com/invite/umGncGh

[metanetsoftware]

This month we have some really interesting maps for you to check out -- and some wise words from bigblargh: “This time my own review is a haiku, which is an art form I've realized has a lot in common with mapping. At first it might seem like a level editor is a constrictive form of self expression, but like haiku, those who practice stop worrying about what they can't do and start thinking about what they can. After a while the limitations fade away. I hope the following designs lift your spirit like they lifted mine.”

Thanks bigblargh, for the submissions, and for your insight! And thanks to NiceDay, DarkStuff, RandomDigits and bigblargh for the comments!

Here are the levels, from top screenshot above to bottom:

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Intercapacitator by abho “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. At least, Mr. Clarke thinks so. Here is a map with this law at work; drones are on set paths and follow repeatable patterns, right? Then why can an assortment of them become the foundation of such aimless chaos? The machinations are all on screen. Nothing is hidden from you. But putting it all together is a futile effort. Analysis will fall short. Understanding will not be achieved. Resign to losing track. The only option is to go.” -DarkStuff ---------------------------------- Web by monopole “Beautiful but deadly, monopole’s ‘Web’ first appeared on the N User Map Archive (NUMA) in 2006.  A sanitised version of the level was later included with Nv2, made easier by the removal of the rocket and gausses from the corners of the map.  The version we see here was ported from NUMA to N++ by InterstellerX95, though it is worth noting that it is not an exact copy of the original (https://www.nmaps.net/39201) - a few entities and tiles are out of place.  Despite that, the level is close enough for us to enjoy what is truly a classic of N history.” - NiceDay ---------------------------------- 28 - gittinouttathahouse by HamSandwich “pros: path design, gauss placement, simplicity, use of space, tileset details, atmosphere, HamSandwich cons: I can't play it forever” -RandomDigits ---------------------------------- MEGA MEGA MEGA by BanjoDave “Super uber ultra omega! Monolith fortress, concept in concept, recursive magnificence! The weak-minded will feel crushed by the weight of all this awesome might, and work to worm their way skyward. However, the strong, the brave, they who are blessed with the MEGA, will find themselves at home and at peace within the deepest bowels of the beast.” -DarkStuff ---------------------------------- Gauntlet Z: One With Everything by NateyPooPoo The Sandwich Artist makes Buddha's lunch to order: "One With Everything" -bigblargh

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Want to play these levels?

Awesome! All levels can be played from all platforms.

First, get N++:

Nintendo Switch:

https://www.nintendo.com/en_CA/games/detail/n-plus-plus-switch

Xbox One:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-CA/store/p/N-/BT33CHSSB89V

Steam:

http://store.steampowered.com/app/230270

PS4:

https://store.playstation.com/#!/en-us/games/n-plus-plus-(n)/cid=UP2108-CUSA00041_00-NPPGAMENPPGAMENP

Kartridge:

https://www.kartridge.com/games/MetanetSoftware/n-nplusplus

Then from the Main Menu, just go to Browse, and choose the “Featured” tab. So easy! Of course the levels probably aren’t ;)

Want to suggest levels to feature, to make your own levels, or to enter design contests?

Join the excellent community on discord:

https://discordapp.com/invite/umGncGh