Neon White review: a perfect, irresistible difficulty curve

When resuming the level with Neon white If you need a loading screen, the game will be almost unplayable.

Towards the end of the game, I probably restarted each level 20 times in a row. From time to time, I restarted because I missed a jump or was killed by an enemy. But more often, my reboot was because I decided it wasn’t perfect.Sure, I jumped — but I could have done it Faster..Sure, I killed all the demons in the level — but I could have done it More efficiently.. “I’ll get it next time,” I told myself. “Next time I’ll do it perfectly.” Start over from the beginning Neon white There is no sign of giving up.next time the time. Not because the game was difficult, but because the improvement was near, I tried again and again. Neon white It doesn’t demand perfection, but it makes the concept so appealing that I demanded it from myself. Reboot, reboot, reboot.

Description Neon whiteThe genre of may be more difficult than actually playing. “Speed ​​Running FPS-Parkour-Deck Builder” sounds incredibly esoteric. But that explanation goes against a fairly simple core loop. Each level is basically an obstacle course and you have to overcome both the enemy and the bottomless hole. Scattered throughout are “cards” that combine weapon pickup and navigation capabilities. Grab a pistol card, shoot a few enemies, and use the card’s abilities to jump further through the bottomless hole. Simple.

Through its 90+ levels Neon white Steadily increasing complexity: Obstacle courses include trip wires, bounce pads, walls that can only be broken with certain weapons, and more. Difficulty (and fun) results from stitching these actions together, like a gymnast running along a balance beam before descending directly onto a set of parallel bars.

To complete most levels and late game sequences, some of these moves need to be nailed in a row look Like a blur that is almost incomprehensible to guns and special abilities. However, the individual actions are relatively simple and most often boil to “move in this direction”. As a result, the vast and intimidating level is far more overcome than initially displayed and consists of 12 simple steps that simply need to be completed in succession.Speed ​​and agility Neon white It may seem inaccessible, but it is designed to overcome even its most difficult obstacle course.

Of course, completing a level is not the end. When you run the levels repeatedly, the game actually displays one major shortcut. This is essential for getting an “ace” (a medal awarded especially if you finish early). Shortcuts are really just the beginning. With a little optimization of ammo usage and parkour paths, it can be even higher than the ace rank. And it’s the leaderboard that motivates you just like in-game medals. Neon white I love to make fun of you at the best time of my friends. Many times, I thought everyone had reached the level as soon as possible, but came back soon after seeing the buddy finish 0.2 seconds earlier than me.

Image: Angel Matrix / Neon White

Each course also includes a hidden “gift”. These items are placed in remote locations, prioritizing creative platforms over raw speed, and providing the opportunity to slow down and admire the aerial background of the game. Gifts also form a connection between each level and the larger story. Each gift (cigar box, perfume bottle, furby) corresponds to a particular supporting role. The game isn’t just FPS-Parkour-Deck Builder Also … Visual novel.

Through a wealth of conversation, the game reveals that the main character, White, is one of several characters who have been temporarily pulled out of hell and given the opportunity to compete for a place in heaven. The story doesn’t have much story divergence, but the hidden gifts unlock new dialogues and side quests for the main cast. Each character is drawn stylishly and demonstrates its abilities. But more importantly, White and the other abominable soul families he found are truly wonderfully writhing.

White is a shy sword weave. Violet will perform a karaoke performance of My Chemical Romance. No one wears less than three belts.Character Neon white It doesn’t seem cool — they’re changing postures, unstable doks, and the joy of the story helps them gradually drop their masks. Given how instantly satisfying FPS Parkour is, you can try sitting down on a wide range of dialogue interactions. But my patience was rewarded with a surprisingly moving story, and it wasn’t as unbearably horny as it first appeared (although it’s still pretty horny).

Game leader Ben Esposito explained Neon white As “for freaks, by freaks”.Still, identifying as a freak is not a prerequisite for fun Neon white.. Perhaps the game’s greatest strength is, in fact, how welcome it is. Its difficulty is completely curved and the story is fascinating enough to disarmament.But after resuming the same level for an hour, I noticed, ignoring all other responsibilities of crossing the finish line a little faster. Neon white It may have become a freak so gently that I didn’t notice it.

Neon white Released on June 16th on Windows PC and Nintendo Switch. The game has been reviewed on PC. VoxMedia has an affiliate partnership. These do not affect your edited content, but VoxMedia may earn commissions on products purchased through affiliate links.Can be found Click here for additional information on Polygon’s ethical policy..