It sure is nice to see kode80, aka solo developer Ben Hopkins, back in action on the App Store. After taking a hiatus for the past couple of years, kode80 pushed out an update in December to its unique perspective-altering platformer 1-bit Ninja ($2.99) adding some much needed current iOS support, Universal support for iPads, and native support for all the various iOS screen sizes. It was one of my favorite games when it originally launched back in the summer of 2011, and the latest update was one of our favorites of this past year. This week kode80 is releasing a new 1-bit Ninja spinoff called 1-bit Ninja Remix Rush. As you might have guessed, it’s a procedurally generated endless take on the 1-bit Ninja formula, something I’ve always thought would work quite well. Here’s a few screens.
1-bit Ninja Remix Rush is set to launch this week on January 8th at a price of $1.99. However, kode80 intends to do a 1-bit Ninja bundle, so those who already own the original 1-bit Ninja will be able to get Remix Rush at a discount. The problem is that in order to submit a bundle to Apple for approval, all the games in the bundle must be currently available in the App Store. Once Remix Rush is officially live, kode80 will submit the bundle, which will then need to go through its own approval process. So if you’re really hard up to save a buck or so, you could wait for the bundle to get approved. Or if you’re like me and are anxious to try out the endless runner version of 1-bit Ninja, you can just jump straight on 1-bit Ninja Remix Rush for two bucks this Thursday.
Spot on Shaun, its great to see reviewers give these one man shows a chance as well. He said he's working with an artist so in a month or so hopefully those sprites will be a bit more polished. It's better suited for short spurts and time waster. As always, I enjoy your articles Shaun!
Really pleased that this game has been reviewed and gotten the exposure it deserves.
The developer has been great to the community and has really tried hard to get it out there.
The first sentence of this review is so simple, yet perfectly articulate.
So true.
Edge of Tomorrow reference?
I didn't get how permadeath works, since dying is part of the gameplay?
Anyway, if just this game had an end, it would be something I would check out.
hello there tpianca, its the dev from the game:D. When you die you loose all items collected during that particular run, you do keep the gold to power your character and begin the next adventure with higher base stats. The interesting part is that all items can be sold when you encounter them so you can in theory pump up your character permanently at the expense of not using items on that run, however many items can help you achieve greater amounts of gold if used properly.
Currently the goal is to kill bosses that appear at set distances. I am working on adding a story quest/challenge mode that will not be random but a preset group of encounters. As mentioned above graphics are being overhauled shortly(examples in the forum post). If you have any questions feel free to ask them in the forum post.
Love the review :D