Neon White

Developer: Angel Matrix
Release: Jun 16th 2022
Platforms:
Action
Adventure
Indie
Addictive
Creative
Smooth
Cringy
Tedious
Neon White Poster

" Addictive action-adventure FPS with innovative weapon card parkour but cringy story "

Neon White Review

Neon White is widely praised as an exhilarating first-person speedrunning game that perfectly captures the thrill of mastering levels through precise movement and clever use of weapon cards. Players enjoy its smooth, responsive controls and well-designed stages that encourage exploration and replayability to achieve faster times and higher scores. The inclusion of personal and global leaderboards adds a competitive edge that many find addictive.

While the gameplay and soundtrack, composed by Machine Girl, receive universal acclaim for their energy and creativity, the story and dialogue often divide opinions. Many players describe the narrative as intentionally campy, edgy, or "cringe," with some viewing it as a parody of anime tropes. Despite this, the story is generally considered cohesive enough to complement the gameplay without overshadowing it. The gift-collecting side quests add some depth but can feel tedious to complete.

Overall, Neon White is celebrated for its innovative mechanics and replay value, making it a must-play for speedrunning enthusiasts and fans of fast-paced platformers.

Highlights

Players highly praise Neon White's fast-paced, satisfying gameplay mechanics that blend speedrunning with strategic card use. The level design is noted for its creativity and multiple routes, enhancing replayability.

The graphics and art style are described as clean and stylish, fitting the vaporwave aesthetic. The soundtrack by Machine Girl is repeatedly highlighted as a standout element, energizing the gameplay experience.

The story, while campy, is seen by some as humorous and intentionally parodying edgy anime, adding a quirky charm to the game.

Criticisms

Common criticisms focus on the story and dialogue, which many players find awkward, overly edgy, or cringeworthy. Some feel the writing detracts from immersion, though others appreciate its ironic tone.

The mandatory dialogue sequences before unlocking certain content frustrate players who prefer uninterrupted gameplay, with requests for options to skip or mute these scenes.

Additionally, the gift system for unlocking the good ending is considered tedious and not sufficiently rewarding, which may discourage completionists.

A few players mention a desire for more momentum-based movement mechanics (e.g., sliding or bunnyhopping) to enhance flow.

Pros

  • Addictive speedrunning gameplay with precise, responsive controls and mechanics.
  • Innovative use of weapon cards adds strategic depth to movement and combat.
  • Well-designed levels featuring multiple routes encourage exploration and mastery.
  • Highly replayable with leaderboards fostering friendly and global competition.
  • Clean, stylish vaporwave-inspired graphics complement the fast-paced action.
  • Outstanding soundtrack by Machine Girl energizes and enhances the experience.
  • Engaging characters and quirky story provide humorous, if campy, charm.

Cons

  • Story and dialogue often feel cringy, edgy, or awkward to many players.
  • Mandatory dialogue sequences can disrupt gameplay flow and feel tedious.
  • Gift system for unlocking the good ending is repetitive and not rewarding.
  • Lack of advanced movement options like sliding or bunnyhopping limits flow.
  • Some players find character interactions and writing overly campy or forced.
  • Occasional frustration with trial-and-error elements in level design.
  • Voice acting quality varies and may not appeal to all audiences.

Rating Criteria

Story
Difficulty
Graphics
Duration
Stability
Worth the Price
Capsule image

Neon White is a single-player speedrunning FPS where you can sacrifice your guns for godlike parkour moves.

Release Date Jun 16th 2022
Publisher Annapurna Interactive
Developer Angel Matrix
Platforms

User Reviews

Overwhelmingly Positive (11,266)
99% Positive 1% Negative

Online Reviews

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Metacritic
89