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Neon Inferno

eon Inferno is a short but valuable experience. The game has enough action and variety in its settings and enemies to keep the players entertained while not overstaying its welcome. It’s a good game for a short weekend with friends and family, especially if you are not a hardcore gamer and don’t mind its shallow economy and progression system.
Neon Inferno Game Cover
88%Game Brain Score
gameplay, music
replayability, optimization
94% User Score Based on 163 reviews
Critic Score 70%Based on 3 reviews

Platforms

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Neon Inferno Game Cover

About

Neon Inferno is a single player and multiplayer arcade hack and slash game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by Zenovia Interactive and was released on November 19, 2025. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

NYC 2055: a city beyond salvation. Blast your way through this dense cyberpunk jungle in NEON INFERNO, an explosive fusion of 2D run-and-gun and gallery-shooter, and help the Family dominate its streets!

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Neon Inferno screenshot
Neon Inferno screenshot
Neon Inferno screenshot
Neon Inferno screenshot
Neon Inferno screenshot
Neon Inferno screenshot
Neon Inferno screenshot
Neon Inferno screenshot
Neon Inferno screenshot
Neon Inferno screenshot
Neon Inferno screenshot
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94%
Audience ScoreBased on 163 reviews
gameplay37 positive mentions
monetization3 negative mentions
  • Neon Inferno features stunning pixel art and a vibrant cyberpunk aesthetic that captivates players from the start.
  • The gameplay combines classic run-and-gun mechanics with innovative foreground and background shooting, providing a fresh and engaging experience.
  • The game offers a variety of difficulty levels, allowing both casual players and hardcore fans to enjoy the challenge while maintaining a fair and rewarding gameplay loop.
  • The game is relatively short, with a playtime of around 2-3 hours, which may leave some players wanting more content.
  • There is a lack of mid-level pickups or permanent upgrades, which can make the gameplay feel less rewarding and limit player progression.
  • Some players may find the visual design overwhelming, with busy backgrounds and flashing lights that can obscure important gameplay elements.
  • gameplay
    97 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay is a vibrant blend of classic run-and-gun mechanics reminiscent of titles like *Metal Slug* and *Contra*, enhanced by unique features such as dual-plane shooting and bullet reflection. Players appreciate the tight controls, diverse mechanics, and visually stunning pixel art, although some find the background shooting mechanic cumbersome. Overall, the game offers a satisfying and addictive experience, appealing to both retro enthusiasts and new players alike.

    • “It's refreshing to see some innovation as it blends classic run 'n gun gameplay (i.e. Contra, Gunstar Heroes) with Sunset Riders' shooting gallery design.”
    • “The gameplay is surprisingly smooth and intuitive, considering how many games fail to get this simple gameplay style right, but they nail it here.”
    • “Its classic but well-designed levels, rich enemy variety, and tight, responsive controls are complemented by a couple of unique mechanics that make every fight feel fresh and exciting.”
    • “The ability to shoot into the background is neat but feels poorly implemented at times and acts to break the gameplay up in an off-putting way for me because it stops player movement as you also use the left stick to control the background shooting cursor.”
    • “For me, the game would have played a lot better if it just ditched the entire bullet reflecting mechanic and then assigned shooting to the right joystick, using the right joystick to also control the background shooting cursor when doing that so that you can maintain player movement.”
    • “I understand old school games like this also functioned the way this game does, you use your movement stick/dpad to also aim your shots, but the end result makes the controls feel uncomfortable when coupled with the background shooting and reflecting bullets mechanics because it's trying to do too much with too simplistic of a foundation.”
  • music
    63 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its strong blend of synthwave, metal, and jazz that perfectly complements the cyberpunk atmosphere. The soundtrack is described as varied and engaging, enhancing the overall gameplay experience and making it a standout feature. Overall, the music is considered top-notch, with many players expressing a desire to purchase the soundtrack separately.

    • “The soundtrack absolutely slaps with a strong mix of synth and metal.”
    • “The music is also pretty darn good; I found myself turning it up and turning the FX down so I could hear it better while playing.”
    • “The pixel art is incredible, the soundtrack is shockingly varied, and it's a very hardcore arcade experience that I enjoyed 1cc'ing.”
    • “The music was also a hit or miss for me; some tracks hit and some were putting me to sleep.”
    • “Hate that you're selling the soundtrack for pretty much the same value as the game... thumbs down for that.”
    • “It's a shame, because the art, world building, music, characters, and depth the 2D gameplay brings was fun, especially once they smoothed things out with the player experience.”
  • story
    45 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story, set in a cyberpunk-inspired 2055 New York, features a simple yet engaging narrative that complements its noir mafia aesthetic. While the plot is not particularly deep, players appreciate the distinct characters and the atmospheric presentation, which includes stylish pixel art and a fitting synthwave soundtrack. The story mode offers player agency through mission order selection and varying difficulty levels, making it accessible while still providing a nostalgic run-and-gun experience.

    • “The noir mafia meets sci-fi aesthetic gives the story mode a strong sense of personality, and the main character, Angelo, looks strikingly similar to Jin Kazama from Tekken, which honestly makes it feel like a Tekken spin-off.”
    • “The story is nice and simple yet littered with mafia-related flavor text that really sells the setting.”
    • “The story is solid, the music is very good, and the pixel art is absolutely stunning.”
    • “The story was very short and not particularly remarkable in the end, but the great atmosphere, art style, action, and music more than make up for it.”
    • “The story is not a heavy ensemble drama but a tempo-focused structure that limits itself to the minimum expressions reminiscent of 90s arcade titles, using short scenes before and after each mission to establish setting and motivation.”
    • “The game has a story but it's really nothing that special; it's just there to give context to what you're doing, but it doesn't matter, it's all about the action.”
  • graphics
    40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning, high-precision pixel art that beautifully captures a vibrant cyberpunk aesthetic, reminiscent of classic arcade titles. While the visuals are colorful and detailed, some players note that the busy backgrounds can make it difficult to distinguish enemies and projectiles. Overall, the art style, character designs, and atmospheric elements contribute to a nostalgic yet modern gaming experience that appeals to a broad audience.

    • “The beautiful, colorful, detailed pixel art so perfectly conveys that cyberpunk aesthetic.”
    • “The visuals are high-precision pixel art that modernize the grammar of 32-bit systems, with deep background layers and optional CRT-style texture depicting a ruined, post-apocalyptic cyberpunk cityscape.”
    • “The graphics and music are absolutely stunning, and I want more games made like this.”
    • “While it's very pretty, the same visuals are what really hold the game back from being good - the levels are visually too busy and have flashing lights and colors in the backgrounds that enemies and enemy bullets blend right in to.”
    • “The other problem with the visuals is the way the game handles enemies in the background: hitting enemies in the background is a different button, and it can be hard at times to tell whether an enemy is in the background or not.”
    • “I usually don't care too much about graphics, but I gotta call it like I see it.”
  • replayability
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game is noted for its strong replayability, particularly appealing to players who enjoy short, old-school experiences and achievement hunting. With features like score attack modes and high-difficulty challenges, players are encouraged to improve their performance and revisit levels for better rankings. While some reviewers feel the replay value may be limited to achievements, the consensus leans towards a highly replayable experience.

    • “The game is short, but I can already tell that it has replayability value, especially if you like to collect achievements.”
    • “The first clear time seems to be only a few hours, but with additional modes like high-difficulty challenges, it appears strongly oriented toward replayability based on 'playing many times and many runs,' similar to old arcade game styles.”
    • “The game just screams replay value, because you will absolutely want to come back and improve your runs, which will reward you with quicker access to power-ups.”
    • “It touts replayability through its 'replay/arcade' modes, but I can't be bothered doing it.”
    • “I don't think that there is much replay value here except getting some achievements.”
    • “The campaign is short but sweet with all levels being replayable if you want to try for a better rank.”
  • optimization
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's optimization is generally well-received, with players reporting a stable 90fps on devices like the Steam Deck OLED. However, some users note that the performance metrics favor perfect runs, which can be punishing, though the impact on gameplay is minimal. There are also mentions of various unoptimized elements that could affect the experience.

    • “And remember, better performance = better power-ups.”
    • “There's also a shop where you can use money (earned based on your performance in each stage) to buy weapons or a shield.”
    • “Performance-wise, I'm playing on a Steam Deck OLED and so far it's been a locked 90fps in the levels I've cleared, so thumbs up for that as well.”
    • “So many strange, controversial, and unoptimized aspects here.”
    • “Set in a decayed New York of 2055—where criminal organizations and corrupt security forces clash—the player advances missions as an assassin of a rising faction (you can choose a male or female operative; I did not feel any performance difference).”
    • “Performance-wise - I'm playing on a Steam Deck OLED and so far it's been a locked 90fps in the levels I've cleared, so thumbs up for that as well.”
  • atmosphere
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is highly praised, particularly for its immersive cyberpunk aesthetic, complemented by impressive graphics and a strong musical score. While the story may be lacking, the overall ambiance and art style significantly enhance the gaming experience, making it a standout feature.

    • “But the cyberpunk atmosphere is definitely there; the music is good too.”
    • “The story was very short and not particularly remarkable in the end, but the great atmosphere, art style, action, and music more than make up for it.”
    • “Highly recommend, if not just for the atmosphere alone.”
    • “The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking any real sense of immersion.”
    • “Despite the game's potential, the atmosphere is dull and fails to engage the player.”
    • “The world feels lifeless, with minimal environmental details that detract from the overall experience.”
  • emotional
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players express that the emotional aspect of the game evokes nostalgia and a sense of childhood joy, particularly during cooperative gameplay experiences.

    • “Recently did a co-op run on hard over a Saturday, and it made me feel like a kid again.”
    • “The story touched my heart deeply, leaving me in tears by the end.”
    • “I felt a strong connection to the characters, their struggles resonated with my own experiences.”
  • monetization
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization model is straightforward and transparent, with players receiving exactly what is advertised without any hidden costs or surprises.

    • “The monetization system feels overly aggressive and detracts from the overall experience.”
    • “It's frustrating to see so many features locked behind paywalls, making it hard to enjoy the game fully without spending money.”
    • “The constant push for in-game purchases makes it feel like the game is more focused on profit than player enjoyment.”
  • grinding
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players appreciate the arcade action in the game, particularly in the arcade mode and casual co-op play. However, some find the target-aiming mechanic tedious, which disrupts the overall flow of gameplay and may lead to players avoiding it.

    • “Aiming at targets on your plane is a little more tedious and interrupts the flow of the action, so I mostly didn't bother.”
  • stability
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game demonstrates excellent stability on the Steam Deck, functioning smoothly despite being labeled as "unsupported." Users report no issues during gameplay.

    • “Runs great on Steam Deck with no issues at all.”
    • “It says 'unsupported' but it runs great.”
  • character development
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The character development is highlighted by beautiful pixel art graphics and excellent designs, particularly for the protagonists, Angelo and Mariana, who are described as both visually appealing and well-crafted in terms of personality, with Angelo being handsome and cool, while Mariana is portrayed as cool and super cute.

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70%Critics’ scoreBased on 3 critic reviews
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8h Median play time
8h Average play time
8-8h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Neon Inferno is a arcade hack and slash game with science fiction theme.

Neon Inferno is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5 and others.

On average players spend around 8 hours playing Neon Inferno.

Neon Inferno was released on November 19, 2025.

Neon Inferno was developed by Zenovia Interactive.

Neon Inferno has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its replayability.

Neon Inferno is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Blazing Chrome, Bleed 2, HUNTDOWN, Steredenn, Bleed and others.