Neon White is a Speedrunning Platformer Now Available

Neon White is a new speed-running game with an anime flair to it. Developed by Angel Matrix, this title is about demons competing against each other for a chance to establish a home in heaven. Assassins from all layers of the abyss will come and try to take out the player for a chance to take their position. The main protagonist that players will take control of is Neon White. He was picked from the superiors of hell to prove himself worthy of being redeemed of his wicked ways. This game has a thin story, sure. However, the appeal of this title isn’t about the plot, but rather the silky smooth gameplay. Players will leap, parkour, and blast other demonic entities for a chance to permanently stay in heaven. This title is actually an FPS in many regards, but with some twists of its own. Thus, it also has some depth within its lightning-quick action.

There aren’t guns in Neon White. Instead, there are cards to collect that come with a variety of magical abilities. Needless to say, some of these cards operate very much like firearms. On top of that, there are other cards that offer special perks. The key to the gameplay is to break the records of the other demons who race through the different levels. Of course, the way to become triumphant with every run-through is by using the cards at Neon White’s disposal. They are the only thing that will give him the edge to actually win. The gameplay in this title is fast and players will need razor-sharp precision and quick reflexes to get to the end. Speedrunning is nothing new and there is a niche group of gamers out there that get joy in doing this. With a game like this available, these types of gamers will feel right at home with Neon White.

Do The Demon Dash

There is a story written out in Neon White that will be told via cut scenes. They are clearly inspired by Manga comics and Anime shows. They are well animated and the voice acting certainly gives this game a sense of lore. There are other characters that will be introduced throughout the campaign, of course. All of which will be assassins who seek to stop Neon White from accomplishing his goal. Every level in Heaven offers a variety of different pathways to take which provide an assortment of shortcuts. The thing is that these shortcuts will be locked and will only be accessed through the accumulation of certain cards. The way the levels are laid out is almost like a puzzle in some regards. Players will need to solve the problem of finding the best pathway possible to beat records.

Cards can be mixed up in a loadout for experimentation. There is a grappling hook that can be used, a dash, and also levitation. These will be needed to get through some of the levels, for sure. The combination of these abilities can be played around with the player’s discretion. There is no right or wrong combination of cards. However, some are more effective than others. Neon White has a little bit of Metroidvania genealogy in its design. Certain abilities will only gain access to certain places. This, in turn, will entice players to have multiple playthroughs in the different levels to discover areas that they may have missed. Cards can be collected during runs. They can be seen floating in mid-air like a standard icon. If a player picks one up, they don’t have to use it if they don’t want to. Cards can be discarded at any time.

Full Deck of Assassins

With all that said, the enemies of Neon White do indeed come with their own arsenal of firearms. Everything from pistols to sniper rifles will be aimed at him. There is also quite a bit of platforming in this game. Complete with the same floaty feel found in DOOM: Eternal. Speaking of which, the second layer to completing the level is also defeating all the enemies. Luckily, the combat is fluid, on point and unrelenting. It is undoubtedly the star of this game. Players will most likely fire up this game not because of the story, but rather for the visceral combat and level design. Each level takes roughly a minute to pass, but the constant allurement of repeating playthroughs to discover new things is what this game’s all about. There is a lot working under its hood and fans of racing games and FPS will find some joy here.

There aren’t too many games in the market today that aim at appealing to speedrunning aficionados. However, Neon White just happens to be one of those games. The gameplay appears to be airtight and it provides a certain level of satisfaction to the combat. Also, there are end-game bosses that will require certain abilities to beat. There are enough elements in Neon White to help keep it fresh and engaging. The art design of this game certainly requires an acquired taste. However, if gamers look past that, there’s a lot of fun to be had here. The fact that this game is strictly a single-player offering may turn away some gamers, however. Then again, maybe that will reel in some gamers, as well. Every player has their preferences and Neon White knows what it is and executes it pretty well, for the most part.

Ace Up The Sleeve

Needless to say, Neon White is shooting to appeal to a particular group of gamers. It may not have the most widespread appeal, as other games. However, it does offer a unique experience with its abstract interpretation of Heaven. Not to mention the fast-paced shooting mechanics that is associated with the card system. Neon White is now available for the Nintendo Switch and PC. Shooting demon assassins never get old and this game offers that in spades. No word on whether or not this game will be coming to other platforms, but anything is possible.