Neon White is part card-based, speedrunning puzzle game and part visual novel/dating sim. It’s a Cronenbergian combination of genres that somehow blends beautifully into this perfect little package.
Neon White
Developer: Angel Matrix
Price: $24.99
Platform: PC, Switch
MonsterVine was supplied with a PC code for review
Featuring Ben Esposito, creator of Donut County, Neon White couldn’t be further in tone from his previous venture. Playing as White, you’re plucked from hell along with other sinners to compete in a game where the goal is to stop a demon invasion with the prize being a permanent move to heaven. Along the way, you’ll make some friends, and upset a few holier than thou angels. The cast of characters are all pretty delightful for the most part, with some genuinely funny moments among them, even if the dialog does get a bit horny/cringey at times.
Looking at footage of Neon White, it’s easy to call it a shooter, but it’s better to think of it as more of a speedrunning puzzle game. Your goal in each level is to simply kill every demon on your way to the goal, and the faster you get there the better your ranking which goes towards making sure you’re the top demon slayer at the end of the competition. You can’t just shoot your way through every level, however, as every card has a secondary traversal function to them. Each card’s primary function works like a typical gun like the pistol or shotgun, but you can opt to completely discard a card in exchange for its ability. The rifle for example will allow you to dash forward a couple feet, while the pistol grants a double jump. Very quickly, you’ll learn that getting to the goal is less about shooting your way there and more about figuring out how you can chain together all the various cards you’re dealt throughout the level so that you can get to the goal as quickly as possible.
Neon White perfectly captures that arcade, high-score chasing mentality as the levels go by so quickly, usually only lasting a few seconds, you don’t mind jumping back in to shave a couple milliseconds off your time. There’s no better feeling than breathlessly sprinting through a level and nailing it with a great score on your first go. I’d say the only issue is if you play the game like I do, you might start to burn yourself out pretty quick. I was usually playing a level three times in a row: once to clear it, once to get the collectible, and once to get a top score. Considering each chapter usually features around ten levels, and I’m replaying each twice, that bumps you up to thirty plays. Of course, this is a me problem, as you only really need to get a semi-decent score to continue with the game, so keep that in mind when you play.
When you’re not parkouring through heaven to kill demons, you’re likely at the game’s hub space where you can chat with your friends or get new missions from. Finding hidden gifts in levels will allow you to exchange those for new dialog options, memories that help piece together what your connection was with a person before you died, and challenging side-missions. Finding these gifts is usually pretty easy, it’s getting to them that’s the puzzle as you’ll need to be clever with your cards to get to them. And it’s usually worth it too since the characters, while hamming it up pretty hard, are still pretty entertaining for the most part.
The Final Word
If you’re looking for a game to scratch that adrenaline chasing itch, Neon White might just be the thing you’re looking for.
– MonsterVine Rating: 4.5 out of 5 – Great
