Neon White review: a perfect, irresistible difficulty curve

You can restart a level by Neon whiteWithout a loading screen the game will be nearly impossible to use.

Toward the game’s end, I probably restarted individual levels two dozen times in a row. Sometimes, my restarts were due to missing a jump or being killed by an opponent. I found that my restarts came more frequently because I felt I was less than perfect. Sure, I made the jump — but I could have done it Accelerate. Sure, I killed every demon in a level — but I could have done it More efficiently. “Next time, I’ll get it,” I told myself. “Next time, I’ll do it perfectly.” Starting a level over in Neon white isn’t a sign of giving up; it’s a promise that next time will be The time. Not because it was impossible, but because there was improvement so near I could feel it. Neon white doesn’t demand perfection, but it makes the concept so irresistible that I demanded it from myself. Restart, restart, restart.

Description Neon white’s genre might be more difficult than actually playing it. A “speedrunning FPS-parkour-deck-builder” sounds incredibly esoteric. However, this description is misleading as it overlooks a very simple core loop. Every level can be described as an obstacle course with enemies and endless pits. Scattered throughout are “cards” that double as weapon pickups and navigational abilities. Grab a pistol card, shoot a few enemies, then use that card’s ability for an extra jump over a bottomless pit. Simple.

There are more than 90 levels. Neon whiteComplexity is increasing. Obstacle courses include bounce pads and tripwires. Walls that cannot be broken by certain weapons are also included. These actions are fun and difficult to string together. For example, a gymnast might run along a balance beam then jump onto parallel bars.

For most levels and the late-game sequences of games, it is important to master these moves repeatedly. Look The list seems almost incomprehensible, with all the special skills and weapons. But each individual action is relatively simple, almost always boiling down to “move in this direction.” The result is that vast and intimidating levels are far more surmountable than they initially appear, made up of a dozen easy steps that merely have to be completed in succession. You will be amazed at the speed and agility. Neon whiteAlthough it might appear impossible to reach, even the toughest obstacles can be overcome.

Completing a level isn’t the end, of course. On repeated runs through a level, the game actually shows you one major shortcut, vital to get the “ace” (a medal awarded for finishing particularly quickly). The shortcut is really just the beginning — tiny optimizations in ammo usage and parkour pathing can take you even higher than the ace rank. The leaderboards can be just as motivating as in-game medals. Neon white loves to taunt you with your friends’ best times. I have been accused of thinking I could do a level faster than anyone else, but I was wrong. I did the same thing again, diving back in to find that my buddy finished it 0.2 seconds quicker than I.

Image: Angel Matrix/Neon White

Each course also includes a hidden “gift.” These items are placed off the beaten path and prioritize creative platforming over raw speed, offering a chance to slow down and admire the game’s ethereal backdrops. These gifts form an interconnected link between levels and larger stories. Each present, such as a box of cigars, perfume or Furby, corresponds with a particular supporting character. Because the game isn’t simply an FPS-parkour-deck-builder, but also … Visual novel

The game’s dialogue reveals that White is the protagonist. He was temporarily taken from hell to be able to fight for heaven. Although there’s not much narrative branching in the story, the hidden gifts unlock new dialogue and side quests for the main cast. Every character is well-drawn and performed with flair. White, along with his family of damned souls, are truly, marvelously cringeworthy.

White is a unabashed sword wielder. Violet sings My Chemical Romance karaoke. Everyone should have at least three belts. These are the characters Neon white aren’t supposed to be cool — they’re posturing, insecure dorks, and the joy of the story is helping them gradually drop the mask. Given how addictive FPS-parkouring can make it difficult to listen to the lengthy dialog exchanges, this is a challenge. But my patience was rewarded with a narrative that was surprisingly touching, and not as overbearingly horny as it first appeared (though it’s still pretty horny).

Game lead Ben Esposito has described Neon white as “for freaks, by freaks.” And yet, identifying as a freak isn’t a prerequisite for enjoying Neon white. The game’s greatest strength may, in fact, be how welcoming it is. Although the difficulty level is well-designed, the game’s story is simple and charming. After an hour spent restarting the level and ignoring my other obligations to get there a bit faster, I finally realized what was happening. Neon white may have turned me into a freak so gently that I didn’t even notice.

Neon white The game was available on Windows PC, and Nintendo Switch on 16 June. PC was the first to review this game. Vox Media also has affiliate relationships. Although these partnerships do not impact editorial content, Vox Media could earn commissions when products are purchased through affiliate links. Find out more. additional information about Polygon’s ethics policy here.