Neon Drive
- May 12, 2016
- Fraoula
- 2h median play time
Get on SteamNeon Drive is a rhythm-based racing game with a retro synthwave aesthetic. Players must navigate through six levels of challenging obstacle courses, keeping the beat to stay in sync and avoid crashing. Featuring a Tron-inspired art style and a pulse-pounding soundtrack, Neon Drive offers a fresh take on the racing genre with its unique blend of rhythm and reflexes.
iPad
iPhone
Mac OS
Nintendo Switch
PC
Phone
Playstation 4
Steam Deck
Windows
Linux
Mobile Platform
PlayStation
Reviews
- Stunning visuals and a vibrant 80s aesthetic that immerses players in a retro-futuristic world.
- Fantastic synthwave soundtrack that enhances the gameplay experience and evokes nostalgia.
- Challenging gameplay that requires quick reflexes and memorization, providing a satisfying sense of accomplishment upon completing levels.
- Gameplay can feel frustratingly difficult, with many players experiencing trial-and-error mechanics that detract from the rhythm game experience.
- Limited content with only 8 levels, which may not justify the price for some players, especially since higher difficulties only increase speed rather than introduce new mechanics.
- Inconsistent hit detection and controls that can lead to cheap deaths, making it hard to enjoy the beautiful visuals and music.
- music815 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in "Neon Drive" has received widespread acclaim for its vibrant synthwave soundtrack, which perfectly complements the game's retro aesthetic and enhances the overall experience. While many players appreciate the catchy tunes and their nostalgic 80s vibe, some have noted inconsistencies in how well the music syncs with the gameplay, leading to moments where the rhythm feels disjointed. Despite these issues, the soundtrack remains a highlight, with many players recommending it as a standalone purchase.
“The soundtrack is simply amazing, well-synced to the motion of your car too.”
“It's this sick journey through neon-soaked streets and futuristic vibes, all set to an epic synthwave soundtrack that'll have you feeling like you're in your own '80s movie montage.”
“The music is fantastic and the level design makes for a good challenge without being overly unfair.”
“The major flaw I'm getting at is that for some stages, during the second half, it turns from a rhythm game that actually follows the rhythm of the music to an arbitrary...random muscle memory game that has so much nothing to do with the music that you can actually mute it and it doesn't change a damn thing.”
“The level design does not reflect the soundtrack's beat properly, most of the time being designed in desync to the music, sometimes focusing on barely audible tertiary beat instead of the major beat going on, sometimes the music is completely irrelevant to what's going on on the map.”
“It's hard to enjoy a game that uses so much neon that you can't make heads or tails of what you're doing, all the while cheating like a mofo and playing the most bland and boring game soundtrack.”
- graphics420 mentions
- 61 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have been widely praised for their stunning retro aesthetic, vibrant colors, and immersive 80s-inspired visuals that evoke a sense of nostalgia. Many players appreciate the beautiful art style and the way it complements the engaging synthwave soundtrack, although some note that the fast-paced gameplay can detract from the ability to fully enjoy the visuals. Overall, while the graphics are a highlight, they are often overshadowed by gameplay frustrations and design issues.
“The retro-inspired visuals and pulsating synthwave soundtrack create an immersive and nostalgic experience.”
“The graphics are breathtakingly beautiful, at least to those of us who were promised a bright and neon future in the 1980s.”
“The visuals are stunning, the music is great, yet the gameplay lacks any sense of consistency.”
“I was expecting some kind of uber-gfx better than GTA6 graphics, but these graphics had jaggies on them.”
“It's a shame that the gameplay doesn't match the visuals or the music.”
“The graphics in the game are just too simplistic and sterile to ever inspire any kind of feeling inside of me.”
- gameplay266 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Neon Drive" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its stylish visuals and engaging soundtrack but criticizing the gameplay mechanics as shallow and frustrating. While some players appreciate the variety introduced in different levels, others find the core mechanics repetitive and overly reliant on trial-and-error, leading to a tedious experience. Overall, the game offers a challenging experience that may appeal to fans of rhythm-based gameplay, but its execution leaves much to be desired.
“The gameplay is incredibly challenging, but also incredibly satisfying once you master it.”
“The levels and gameplay are pretty varied and imaginative, though some sections are not very well thought out.”
“Great soundtrack, simple yet fun gameplay and a great neon 80's aesthetic.”
“The gameplay is very poor: I did not find it fun or addictive, just frustrating.”
“Unfortunately, this is a perfect example of a game where graphics are not everything, because the gameplay itself becomes very frustrating and tiring already from the second level.”
“The gameplay unfortunately is much of the time something you have to suffer through to see what happens next.”
- replayability18 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players appreciate the unique level designs and varying difficulty settings that encourage repeated play, others find the limited content and reliance on only a few controls detract from long-term engagement. Many reviews highlight that the game can be completed quickly, with replay value primarily stemming from mastering levels and attempting different challenges. Ultimately, it appeals to those who enjoy arcade-style games but may not satisfy players seeking extensive content or longevity.
“You'll only be using 2 keys for all the levels, and each level has something inherently unique to it, giving them all their own distinct personality and nice replayability.”
“A great simple arcade game with a fair bit of replayability (different difficulty levels, etc.). The music and level design are slightly different for each level, but have a consistent feel throughout the game.”
“You might think the game is not very big with only 7 levels, but the replayability and fun come from trying to beat all levels on all difficulty modes.”
“It's pretty devoid of content and replay value, but you'll have some fun with it for a few hours.”
“It is quite short with only 8 tracks set on different difficulties to add more replayability.”
“In terms of game length and replayability, Neon Drive does not have much to offer.”
- grinding16 mentions
- 6 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 94 % negative mentions
Reviews highlight that the grinding aspect of the game is overwhelmingly tedious and frustrating, often feeling more like a chore than an enjoyable challenge. Players express dissatisfaction with unfair checkpoints, repetitive gameplay, and the need for constant memorization, which detracts from the overall experience despite the game's strong music and visuals. Many feel that the grind detracts from the enjoyment of the game, making it difficult to appreciate its artistic elements.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“I'm pretty mixed on the whole gameplay thing as it's more tedious than fun and that becomes obvious pretty soon after you start playing the game.”
“The game pretends to be a rhythm one, then rubs it in your face with frustrating anti-intuitive patterns you can't beat without constant memorization and grinding.”
“The end result is not only tedious but disappointing as it prohibits the player from ever really soaking in the cool visuals and enjoying the music.”
- story14 mentions
- 7 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 36 % negative mentions
The game lacks a traditional story, offering a simple and straightforward experience focused on gameplay rather than narrative. While some users mention a minimal "story" element, it is deemed unnecessary, as the game primarily revolves around navigating obstacles in a creative and engaging manner. Overall, players seeking a plot-driven experience may find this game lacking.
“Gameplay is tight and very creative, playing into the plot perfectly.”
“There's no story in the game, so we're going to graphics.”
“Yeah, there's a little 'story' if you can call it 'story', but it is not necessary in this game.”
“There is no story presented, there are no locked stages, it just throws you in and expects you to swim, and if you don't, you'll have a fun time trying.”
- optimization10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization receives mixed reviews; while some players praise its smooth performance and impressive graphics even on older hardware, others report occasional stuttering and a lack of polish that detracts from the experience. The vibrant visuals and retro aesthetic are appreciated, but there are concerns about the execution and optimization not meeting expectations for a game of its style.
“Graphics are insane and the game is well optimized.”
“It looks beautiful, runs smoothly, and is the first game to get me on the edge of my seat in a while!”
“One thing that caught me off guard was the game's ability to play at a smooth 60 frames even on my 2011 MacBook, which has proven to struggle with most modern games. Neon Drive's graphical settings increase performance without reducing the visual style to any degree.”
“Not always perfectly smooth; there is also minor stuttering sometimes from the top-down view.”
“Could have been a great music/reflexes game, but due to mediocre execution and poor optimization, it's a thumbs down for me.”
“I expected better performance for a game like this.”
- atmosphere8 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its fantastic design and immersive soundtrack, effectively capturing an engaging 80's vibe. Each level offers a unique atmosphere and gimmick, preventing monotony and enhancing the overall experience. Reviewers highlight the combination of great music and well-crafted environments as key strengths of the game.
“Fantastic atmosphere and soundtrack...but man is it hard!”
“I love the atmosphere of the 80's on this one!”
“Every level has its own design, atmosphere, and gimmick, that keeps things from becoming boring!”
“But, I would recommend this game if that would appeal to you, as the atmosphere is really well done.”
“Love the taste of the music and atmosphere.”
- humor6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is largely derived from its nostalgic 80s vaporwave aesthetic, which players find amusing and entertaining. Many users report laughing out loud during gameplay, particularly when achieving good runs, highlighting the game's lighthearted and fun atmosphere. Overall, while it may not excel as a rhythm game, its comedic elements and retro charm resonate well with players.
“So it's not very accurate as a rhythm game, but if you are in love with the 80s vaporwave, play it; it will be funny.”
“Funny enough, I thought insane was too easy at first, then I got past level 1... lol.”
“I was actually laughing out loud on occasion when I managed to get a good run.”
- stability5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- -40 % neutral mentions
- 80 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is generally good, with smooth visuals and music, but users report occasional freezing issues, particularly after checkpoints and restarts. Some bugs, such as hit registration problems and infinite loops in the menu, have also been noted, impacting the overall experience.
“The visuals and music have a lot of style, and it runs great.”
“The game maintains a smooth performance even during intense action sequences.”
“I appreciate how stable the gameplay is; I rarely encounter any bugs or crashes.”
“It sometimes (only rarely) freezes when the player is returned to a checkpoint.”
“Some bugs (e.g., freezes after restart, infinite loop on menu).”
“Sometimes the game freezes after restart, and you must go through the ritual of pressing escape twice and waiting 3 seconds.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express a mix of frustration and satisfaction with the game's emotional impact, highlighting the challenge of navigating obstacles that can abruptly end progress. Despite initial doubts about its value, successfully overcoming difficult sections brings a strong sense of achievement and pleasure.
“But the success I've reached made me feel amazing.”
