Neon White is a game I’ve been anxiously awaiting since its release last year, and I’ve been patiently waiting as the game’s release window came and went. It’s finally here, and I finally got the chance to dive headfirst into this fast-paced, demon-slaying action-adventure.

I’m happy to report that the wait was worth it, as Neon White is undoubtedly one of the best games released so far this year. A brilliant blend of genres, a surprisingly deep story, an hilarious soundtrack, and fantastic vocal performances all blend beautifully into a video game “made by freaks, for freaks.”

Story

In Neon White from Annapurna Interactive, Ben Esposito and Angel Matrix, players aim to rid the halls of Heaven of a demonic incursion as quickly as possible using an array of ingenious weapons and abilities. But there’s more to it than that. Players take on the role of amnesiac assassin Neon White, who finds himself surrounded by people from his past in Heaven, all of whom seem to want something from him.

The game revolves around a 10-day Judgment Tournament, a celestial competition that determines which Neon will spend a year in Heaven, courtesy of loyal Neons who are residents of Heaven. Soon the story branches out, becoming a more personal, character-driven tale that also explores lofty themes such as self-discovery and forgiveness.

Neon White’s story shines across the board, bringing believable characters, crisp dialogue, and thoroughly shocking twists that still leave me dumbfounded. The simplistic character names and emphasis on gameplay belie the compelling and moving story Esposito and his team have created here.

Neon White is joined by several other neons, including the seductive Neon Red, the volatile Neon Violet, the overly friendly Neon Yellow, and the brutal Neon Green. Each character has their own moments, brought to life by the flawless writing and outstanding vocal performances from the all-star cast. The two performances that stood out the most to me were from Allisin Packard as Neon Red and Ben Lepley as Neon Green. Packard gives Red a seductive energy tempered by a deep ennui, while Lepley gives Green a manic quality always tempered by an ineffable sadness.

To understand these characters better requires one of Neon White’s more sophisticated tricks: blending gameplay with story. Collectibles found in the game can be used to unlock new dialogue, side quests, and even memories of the character’s mortal life, which will reveal more of White’s backstory. Gaining enough access to these memories will also affect which ending the player can unlock.

Neon White is an emotional journey driven by the mistakes and failures of its fallible cast of characters. None of these characters are angels (except for the real ones), because the game isn’t afraid to highlight that people make and will make mistakes. Neon White treats these themes with respect, revealing the powerful impact people can have on the lives of others, while also reinforcing the idea that no mistakes are permanent and that everyone deserves a little grace.

Gameplay

Neon White’s gameplay is layered, with several different systems working together to create something fantastically unique. The demon-fighting missions that White is sent on make up the majority of the gameplay, and these missions consist of carefully crafted levels that play like complex speed puzzles. The goal of each level is to reach the finish line as quickly as possible while eliminating all demons along the way. This goal will have you retrying again and again in pursuit of an irresistible high score.

Simply put, Neon White is an adrenaline-pumping rollercoaster from start to finish. The gameplay is an absolute triumph that never feels old, thanks to the steady introduction of new mechanics and increasingly sinister environments. Each new mission brought a rush of discovery, and figuring out the shortest route through each environment was an incredibly satisfying experience.

This success was thanks to the Soul Card system, a type of card-based gameplay that challenged me to make the most of my limited resources. Each card acts like a different weapon, such as a regular pistol or a powerful rocket launcher, so I had to make the most of them to complete each level with the highest rank.

But Neon White got really interesting when I activated the discard abilities of all my Soul Cards. These are unique navigation moves that completely change the flow of movement throughout the level. One card gives White an extra jump in the air, another lets him zipline to distant ground, and the combination of these abilities always brings a smile to my face.

There’s nothing quite like shooting a demon out of the sky, charging through a gap, shooting another while flying overhead, and crashing through a nearby barrier. Neon White is full of moments like that, and even at breakneck speed it all works beautifully, making it feel like a carefully crafted orchestral arrangement.

Outside of these levels, Neon White had a bit of a relationship simulation gameplay style that allowed me to forge closer bonds with the rest of the cast, including the angels and my fellow neons. But it took more than just talking to my friends to strengthen these relationships. I had to give them gifts, too. These Gifts are devilishly hidden throughout each level, providing alternate objectives that are harder to accomplish than the standard goals. There are also side quests you can unlock for each

Neon Companion, providing intense navigation challenges that differ from the game’s other levels. Unique parameters like limiting drop abilities or making walls deadly add a fun twist to an already excellent movement system. Completing these quests is satisfying in itself, but they also help strengthen the bond between White and each ally.

Audio and Visual

Neon White is a game all about speed, quick reflexes, and careful timing. Therefore, the right musical accompaniment was absolutely necessary to hit the right notes. Luckily, the developers found the right band for the job: Machine Girl brings just the right amount of manic, vibrant energy to complement the growing tension of each level.

In a way, the heavy electronic beats and intense percussive elements make Neon White almost a rhythm game. Once I’d completed a perfect run, I found that every move seemed to match the music, as if I was being guided through the level by the invisible hand of an angelic maestro.

Visually, Neon White has an appealing art style that is mostly used to its advantage. The flat environments have a breathtaking surreal and open-ended quality that works both aesthetically and mechanically, with floating wall chunks making for great vistas and platforming. Enemy design is similarly appealing, with their shadowy, smoky bodies still having clear silhouettes.

There are a few areas, however, where the game’s small scale can’t be hidden, with certain textures looking muddy and a lack of visual variety in certain areas. I also wish the characters had been a bit more lifelike, but the excellent voice acting and writing went a long way to making up for that minor issue.

What Could Be Better

I played the game on the Nintendo Switch and found that it ran incredibly well for the most part. However, there were a few places where the game seemed to struggle a bit with maintaining a consistent frame rate, especially on some of the larger levels. Usually these issues are temporary, but even a second of lag in a game like this can completely ruin a good gameplay.

I also wish the relationship system had more dimension, as it only supports other elements of the game. Maybe it’s a bit much to expect something on the level of Persona 5 or Fire Emblem: Three Houses, but I wish I could have had more influence over how these relationships develop.

Verdict

Neon White is a fantastic video game that exceeded almost all of my expectations. The story is humorous and heartwarming, and the gameplay is a masterpiece that encourages repeat playthroughs. Every element of this game feels intentional and carefully crafted, and it all adds up to one of the best gaming experiences I’ve had so far this year.

Neon White will release on June 16th, 2022 for Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam.