Nine Lives Ninja: Explore!
- March 26, 2024
- JX Games
- 1h median play time
"Nine Lives Ninja: Explore" is a feline-themed platformer with metroidvania elements, where you guide a cat-ninja through treacherous caves to find the Fountain of Kitty Youth. With multiple game modes, retro-style graphics, tight controls, and a range of achievements, this game offers a challenging and engaging adventure. The game's story and characters, while humorous, also pose intriguing questions that add to the intrigue.
Reviews
- The game features charming pixel art and a nostalgic retro design that appeals to fans of classic platformers.
- Level design is well thought out, encouraging exploration and backtracking to collect items, which adds depth to the gameplay.
- The controls are smooth and precise, making the platforming mechanics enjoyable and accessible for players.
- The game is very short, with some players feeling it doesn't justify the price despite recent updates.
- There is a lack of variety in gameplay, with some stages feeling repetitive and not offering enough unique challenges.
- The tutorial is minimal and can be skipped, leaving some players feeling that they didn't learn much about the game mechanics.
- gameplay9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by well-explained and easy-to-master mechanics, enhanced by a short tutorial level. Players appreciate the solid execution of classic platforming elements, such as double jumping and metroidvania progression, alongside satisfying controls and a forgiving respawn system that makes challenging jumps more accessible. Overall, the game offers engaging and polished mechanics that keep players entertained.
“Mechanics are easy to figure out and explained well in the short tutorial level.”
“Lots of classic platform mechanics built into this indie game: double jumping, edge jumping, minimaps, and metroidvania area progression.”
“Quick entertaining playthrough, satisfying and well-tuned jump mechanic kept me engaged throughout.”
“But the most notable thing is how poorly executed all those familiar and basic mechanics are.”
“The gameplay feels repetitive and lacks any real challenge or innovation.”
“The controls are unresponsive at times, making it frustrating to navigate through levels.”
- graphics3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The graphics feature a nostalgic retro art style that appeals to fans of classic games, though there is consensus that improvements could be made. Despite the retro aesthetic, the visuals convey a modern sensibility, suggesting a thoughtful design approach.
“Fans of retro games will appreciate the art style, though the graphics definitely have room for some improvement.”
“The retro graphics hide a thoroughly modern feel, and everything feels very thought-through and planned.”
- music3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The music in the game is catchy and well-suited to its style, providing an engaging experience without feeling repetitive. Players appreciate the alignment of the soundtrack with the game's overall vibe, enhancing the enjoyment of the gameplay.
“I'm loving the music and fun characters in this game.”
“The music is catchy and loops but doesn't feel repetitive.”
“The music and sound effects are exactly what you would expect for this style of game, as do the controls (which is really, really important).”
- replayability1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game offers a short experience, but its low price and the inclusion of various challenges and variations on core themes enhance its replayability.
“It is short, but so is the price (I thought they reduced it too much actually), and the dev has added plenty of variations and challenges on the basic themes of the game, giving it a bit of replayability.”
“It is short, but so is the price (I thought they reduced it too much actually), and the dev has added plenty of variations and challenges on the basic themes of the game, giving a bit of replayability.”
- story1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The story is criticized for lacking humor and engagement, failing to create a compelling narrative that keeps players invested, and features a character that feels unresponsive and lifeless.
“Nothing makes you laugh, nothing makes you want to see what will happen, no compelling story, and a stiff cat that doesn't meow.”