Nintendo Switch review code provided by Annapurna Interactive.
Neon White is a game that I’ve been eagerly anticipating since it was first revealed last year, and I have continued to wait patiently as each of the game’s projected release windows has come and gone. Now it’s finally here, and I finally got the chance to dive head-first into this speed-running, demon-slaying, action-adventure.
I’m happy to report that all my waiting was absolutely worth the time, as Neon White is easily one of the best games to release so far this year. Its masterful blend of genres, surprisingly deep story, rollicking soundtrack, and superb vocal performances merge beautifully to create a video game “for freaks, by freaks.”
Story
Coming from Annapurna Interactive, Ben Esposito, and Angel Matrix, Neon White is a game about clearing a demon infestation out of the halls of Heaven as quickly as possible using an array of inventive weapons and abilities. But it’s also so much more than that. Players take on the role of Neon White, an amnesiac assassin who finds himself in Heaven surrounded by people from his past who all seem to want something from him.
The game revolves around the Ten Days of Judgement competition, a Heavenly contest to determine which of the Neons will earn a one-year stint in Heaven courtesy of the Believers, the residents of Heaven. Before long, the narrative deviates into a more personal, character-driven story that also tackles high-concept notions like self-discovery and forgiveness.
At every turn, Neon White’s story shines, delivering incredible characters, snappy dialogue, and thoroughly shocking plot twists I still find myself reeling over. The simplistic nature of the character’s names and the emphasis on gameplay belies the compelling and inspirational narrative Esposito and his team have crafted here.
Neon White is joined by a handful of other Neons, including the seductive Neon Red, the unstable Neon Violet, the overly-friendly Neon Yellow, and the brutish Neon Green. Each character has their moment to shine, and they’re brought to life by impeccable writing and superb vocal performances from an all-star voice cast. The two performances that stood out the most for me were Alicyn Packard as Neon Red and Ben Lepley as Neon Green. Packard brings a seductive energy to Red that is undercut by a profound weariness, while Lepley infuses Green with a manic quality that always feels tempered by unknowable grief.
Getting to know these characters better involves one of Neon White’s more ingenious tricks that melds gameplay and story together. Collectibles found throughout the game can be used to unlock new dialogue, side quests, and even memories from that character’s mortal life, which in turn reveals more of White’s backstory. Accessing enough of these memories even has a bearing on which of the game’s endings players can unlock.
Neon White is an emotional journey fueled by the faults and failings of these fallible figures. None of these characters are angels (well, except the actual angels), as the game doesn’t shy away from the notion that people make mistakes and will continue to make mistakes. Neon White handles these themes with reverence, illuminating the powerful impact people can have on the lives of others while also reinforcing the notion that no mistake is permanent and that everyone is deserving of a little grace.
Gameplay
Neon White’s gameplay is multi-faceted, with several different systems all working together to create something marvelous and unique. The demon-slaying missions White is sent on make up the bulk of the gameplay, and these missions consist of carefully crafted levels that play out like intricate speed puzzles. The goal of each level is to reach the finish line as quickly as possible while taking out every demon on the way, an objective that will often result in numerous retries in pursuit of that tantalizing high score.
Simply put, Neon White is an adrenaline-fueled thrill ride from start to finish. The gameplay is an absolute triumph that never feels stale thanks to a steady infusion of new mechanics and increasingly devious environments. Every new mission offered a rush of discovery, and figuring out the fastest path through each environment was an immensely satisfying experience.
Much of this success comes down to the Soul Card system, a spin on card-based gameplay that challenged me to make the most of the limited resources I had available. Each card functions as a different kind of gun, whether that be a standard pistol or a powerful rocket launcher, and using them to their fullest extent was necessary to complete each level at the highest rank.
But where Neon White really started to get interesting was when I activated each Soul Card’s discard ability. These are single-use navigation moves that completely alter the flow of movement through a level. One card might give White an extra jump in midair while another can shoot a zipline out to distant surfaces, and using these abilities in concert with one another never failed to bring a smile to my face.
There’s nothing quite like shooting a demon while in midair, dashing across a gap, and shooting another demon as you pass over its head before crashing through a nearby barrier. Neon White is full of moments like this, and it all works beautifully even while moving at a breakneck pace, like a carefully constructed orchestral arrangement.
Outside of these levels, Neon White has a sort of relationship sim style of gameplay that allowed me to form closer bonds with the rest of the cast, including some of the angels and my fellow Neons. But strengthening these relationships isn’t just about talking to my friends; I also had to offer them gifts. These gifts are devilishly hidden in each of the levels, adding an alternate destination that is often harder to reach than the standard goal.
There are also side quests that can be unlocked for each of the Neon companions, which feature intense navigational challenges unlike any other levels in the game. Unique parameters, like restricting discard abilities or making walls deadly, add a fun wrinkle to the already stellar movement systems. Completing these quests is satisfying in its own right, but they also help strengthen the bond White has with each of his allies.
Audio and Visual
Neon White is a game that’s all about speed, quick reflexes, and careful timing, so it absolutely needed the right musical accompaniment to set a proper tone. Fortunately, the developers found the right band for the job. Machine Girl brings the right level of manic, vibrant energy that complements the heightened sense of urgency in each of the levels.
In a sense, the heavy, electronic beats and intense percussive elements almost turn Neon White into a rhythm game. When I was on a perfect run I noticed that every movement seemed to coincide with the music, almost like I was being conducted through the level by the invisible hand of an angelic maestro.
Visually, Neon White boasts an arresting art style that more often than not works in its favor. The level environments are stunning with a surreal, untethered quality that works both aesthetically and mechanically, as floating chunks of masonry make for great set dressing and platforms. Enemy designs are similarly compelling, with shadowy, smoke-like bodies that still have distinct silhouettes.
There are a few areas where the game can’t hide its smaller scale, though, such as certain textures appearing muddy and a lack of visual diversity in certain regions. I also found myself wishing there was a bit more animation to the characters, though the stellar voice acting and writing did a lot to make up for this minor issue.
What Could Be Better
I played this game on the Nintendo Switch, and for the most part, I found it ran incredibly well. There were a few places, though, where the game seemed to struggle a bit, especially with maintaining a steady framerate in some of the larger levels. While these issues were usually brief, even a second of lag in a game like this can completely ruin a good run.
I also would have liked more dimension from the relationship system, as it exists solely to support other elements of the gameplay. It might be a bit much to expect something on the level of Persona 5 or Fire Emblem: Three Houses, but it would have been nice to have more input on how those relationships developed.
Verdict
Neon White is an incredible video game that exceeded just about every expectation I had for it. The story delivers both humor and heart, and the gameplay is a master stroke that encourages and rewards successive replays. Every piece of this game feels deliberately and carefully designed, and it all comes together to create one of the best gaming experiences I’ve had so far this year.
Neon White launches June 16th, 2022, for the Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam.
