Neon White

It gets its hooks in deep and fast, but the true fun and challenge in Neon White becomes apparent the more you play it.

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Neon White is a fast-paced first-person action game where you play as an assassin from Hell, competing with others to earn a place in Heaven. Use "Soul Cards" to attack enemies or perform movement abilities, and discover shortcuts to compete for the best times. Uncover Heaven's secrets and past connections with the other assassins.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

98%

Audience ScoreBased on 12,082 reviews

story996 positive mentions

grinding96 negative mentions

story
3,133 mentions
32 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The story of *Neon White* has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it to be a blend of cheesy anime tropes and cringe-worthy dialogue, often described as intentionally over-the-top. While some players appreciate the humor and charm in its absurdity, others feel it detracts from the gameplay experience, which is widely praised for its fast-paced mechanics and level design. Overall, the narrative serves as a light backdrop to the action, allowing players to skip or fast-forward through it if they prefer to focus on the gameplay.
- “The story is surprisingly engaging and has a lot of unexpected moments that I didn't see coming.”
- “The story is goofy and cliche, but the gameplay, oh boy.”
- “The story is a bit cheesy but still great.”
- “The story is so bad it makes you want to speedrun the cutscenes too.”
- “The only driving force for me to keep playing was the gameplay and levels and never the development of the story and the characters.”
- “The story is cringe and you can tell that writers knew what they're doing.”
gameplay
3,045 mentions
55 % positive mentions
43 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The gameplay of *Neon White* is widely praised for its fast-paced, fluid mechanics that blend first-person shooting with platforming elements, creating an addictive experience that encourages speedrunning and optimization. Players appreciate the innovative card-based system that allows for unique movement abilities, enhancing the overall gameplay loop and providing a satisfying challenge. While the story and dialogue receive mixed reviews, often described as cringeworthy, they are generally considered secondary to the engaging and polished gameplay that keeps players coming back for more.
- “Oh boy, the mechanics! They're so fresh and unseen in other games.”
- “The gameplay is immaculate while the art direction alongside the music from Machine Girl both elevate it.”
- “The gameplay is incredibly fun, and it just gets better as the game goes on.”
- “The gameplay loop can get really tiring after a bit, and is what mainly contributed to my burnout.”
- “The gameplay was fun but the story was bad.”
- “The gameplay makes you feel like you're a master whether you're an actual master or just picking up the game for the first time, with tons of room to grow and a huge skill ceiling.”
music
2,190 mentions
55 % positive mentions
43 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The music in "Neon White," composed by Machine Girl, has received widespread acclaim for its energetic and engaging quality, perfectly complementing the game's fast-paced gameplay and vibrant aesthetic. Reviewers frequently describe the soundtrack as a "banger," highlighting its ability to enhance the overall experience and keep players motivated during challenging levels. While some note that certain tracks can become repetitive over extended play sessions, the majority agree that the music is a standout feature, making it a must-listen even outside of gameplay.
- “An incredible marriage of gameplay, art style, and soundtrack.”
- “The soundtrack alone makes this game an auto-recommend.”
- “The music is phenomenal, and while some can get a little bit odd, there's a point near the end of the game where the music theme changes and it feels so odd, and that only works because of the music design.”
- “The music can get a bit obnoxious at times but mostly it's pretty good at keeping you redlining when time is running out.”
- “The soundtrack could not be better for this, it is amazing and it puts you in a kind of flow state where you can fully focus on the game and shave off those precious milliseconds.”
- “The soundtrack is fast and hectic, yet at times meditative, much like the levels in which the sound occupies.”
graphics
645 mentions
48 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their unique and stylish aesthetic, often described as a blend of anime and retro influences reminiscent of early 2000s gaming. While some reviewers note that the visuals are not technically advanced, they appreciate the clean, readable design that enhances gameplay clarity. The vibrant art style, combined with a captivating soundtrack, creates an immersive experience that many players find visually appealing, even if they are not fans of the anime genre.
- “The visuals in this game are fresh and clean.”
- “The graphics are crisp and the readability is excellent, which is crucial for a game where split-second decisions matter.”
- “The visual design is simply mesmerizing, and the unique art style helps create an immersive, dreamlike world that stands out in the gaming industry.”
- “The graphics aren't next-gen but they get the job done, and I actually found a lot of the levels very pretty no matter the setting.”
- “While graphics and story lag behind, gameplay is an absolute home run.”
- “The graphics themselves aren't something to write home about.”
humor
313 mentions
96 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The humor in "Neon White" is a polarizing aspect, often described as a blend of self-aware cringe and nostalgic internet humor that resonates with some players while alienating others. Many find the dialogue to be intentionally cheesy and funny, with moments that evoke laughter despite their awkwardness, while others criticize it as overly cringey or unoriginal. Overall, the game's humor is characterized by its campy, anime-inspired writing and quirky character interactions, making it a hit-or-miss experience depending on individual taste.
- “The writing, while definitely campy, consistently made me laugh throughout my entire playthrough.”
- “The story is engaging, humorous, and has an entertaining cast while also being presented in a way that lets you put it aside when you just want to play a bunch of levels while letting you catch right back up and refocus on it when the mood suits you.”
- “The characters commit hard to being hardcore anime cringe, but so do I, so I always found it hilarious (it's on purpose so it's fine).”
- “The story is heavily anime inspired; it feels like it is intentionally meant as satire and yet it's so unfunny that it fails to walk that line and falls heavily into the world of cringe.”
- “Neon White is almost pathologically unfunny.”
- “It's boring, cringe, unfunny, and unoriginal.”
replayability
162 mentions
50 % positive mentions
48 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The game is widely praised for its exceptional replayability, primarily driven by its speedrunning mechanics and time trial challenges that encourage players to improve their scores and compete on leaderboards. Many reviewers highlight the addictive gameplay loop, fluid controls, and well-designed levels that make returning to the game a rewarding experience, even after completing the main story. Overall, the replay value is considered a major strength, appealing to both casual players and competitive speedrunners alike.
- “The game is highly replayable, incentivizing you to improve your records, earn medals, and surpass other players.”
- “The gameplay is smooth and provides great replay value.”
- “The levels are short and instantly replayable, which really helps fuel the 'just one more try' feeling when you're chasing the 'ace' times.”
- “If you don't engage with the game's replayability, it is unlikely to be particularly satisfying.”
- “The levels themselves are fairly straightforward; however, the devs encourage you to push their design to get the fastest levels possible, allowing for a lot of replayability.”
- “The replayability is very high; the ace medals will make you work for them, and if that doesn't satisfy you, there are friend and global leaderboards for each level.”
grinding
109 mentions
1 % positive mentions
11 % neutral mentions
88 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game receives mixed feedback, with many players finding it both addictive and tedious. While some enjoy the challenge of optimizing their runs and competing for leaderboard rankings, others criticize the repetitive nature of grinding for collectibles and achievements, particularly in later levels where mechanics can become frustrating. Overall, the experience can be exhilarating for those who thrive on speedrunning, but it may feel like a chore for players who prefer a more relaxed pace.
- “Short levels mean repeating a level isn't tedious, then eventually finding the optimal path is so satisfying.”
- “You'll probably find yourself grinding for it for a bit, even if you don't care about it.”
- “The levels and speedrunning components are fun; however, having to repeat each level 5+ times over the heaven/hell rushes and to get ace medals on each level becomes tedious and boring.”
- “The 'relationship' menu and gifting system is super tedious when you need to give 3+ gifts in a row.”
optimization
89 mentions
39 % positive mentions
57 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is highly praised, with players enjoying the intricate level designs that encourage exploration of shortcuts and speedrunning techniques. Performance is generally stable across platforms, with no significant technical issues reported, allowing for a smooth experience even during intense gameplay. The focus on optimization and the satisfaction derived from mastering levels and achieving faster times make it appealing for both casual players and speedrunning enthusiasts.
- “Level designs are phenomenal, the skill ceiling is through the roof, the amount of optimization you can do is reasonable for most gamers but requires excellent execution.”
- “Pushing for fast times in the very creative and well-designed levels, full of shortcuts and optimizations, is an extremely satisfying experience.”
- “Every level is packed with little optimizations, the mechanics have a high skill ceiling, and there are even developer-intended shortcuts built into every level.”
- “Yet, the game has a very awkward 'start and stop' pacing, with a hard line distinction between the frantic, almost stressful optimization-based speedrunning gameplay, and the agonizingly slow and tedious dialogue-based intermissions.”
- “Most of the levels have a pretty straightforward path and did not require much optimization besides taking the indicated shortcuts in order to receive the ace medals.”
- “While performance has mostly been rock solid on my machine, there have been some performance complaints by other people, and even I've had a couple of stutters that have ruined a couple of my level attempts.”
character development
69 mentions
61 % positive mentions
35 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
Character development in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising the character designs and voice acting while criticizing the dialogue and overall narrative quality. Some players appreciate the depth of character development and the emotional investment it fosters, while others find the writing cringeworthy and the characters lacking in personality. Overall, the character designs are frequently highlighted as a strong point, but the storytelling often detracts from the potential for deeper character engagement.
- “There's actual character development and something more than just obstacles to the goal apparent from the start.”
- “The character designs are all very flashy and have their charm to them, although now's the time to mention the story had me gripped until it started going overly god-oriented and threw all interest out of the window.”
- “Extraordinary game, flows extremely well in terms of gameplay, great character design, the story is great, all the characters have very well defined and fun personalities, absolutely a 10/10.”
- “If you are looking for a deeper experience with stronger game and character development, this isn't for you.”
- “Do not let the hot character designs fool you into paying attention to the story; you will genuinely enjoy the game more if you ignore the incredibly lame narrative.”
- “It felt like it was going for a Hades-style relationship system where you progress character development and writing with collectible presents, but unfortunately doesn't work very well when you don't care for the characters.”
emotional
67 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating its heartfelt moments and character connections, despite some criticism of the humor that undermines the emotional weight. While the story features touching themes of regret and self-forgiveness, it is often interspersed with quirky and comedic elements that can detract from its impact. Overall, players found the narrative surprisingly wholesome and engaging, leading to genuine emotional responses, particularly in the game's conclusion.
- “The gameplay loop is addictive and unique, with a heart-touching story sure to leave you emotional.”
- “The plot is a heartfelt tale of emotional abuse and self-forgiveness.”
- “The story, for all its cheesy anime-esque dialogue, is surprisingly touching with convincing displays of the vagaries of emotional connection.”
atmosphere
25 mentions
44 % positive mentions
44 % neutral mentions
12 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its captivating blend of vibrant visuals, a unique art style, and an engaging soundtrack by Machine Girl, which enhances the overall experience. Reviewers note that the combination of high-energy music and atmospheric tracks creates a compelling environment that complements the fast-paced gameplay and intriguing story elements. The neon-drenched settings and cohesive level design contribute to a distinct identity, making the atmosphere both immersive and enjoyable.
- “The wonderful soundtrack does a lot of heavy lifting; the high-octane level music does its job well, but there are a lot of atmospheric tracks that really make the story bits come alive.”
- “The neon-drenched, angelic and demonic realms provide a dazzling contrast of colors and atmospheres that never cease to captivate.”
- “A unique soundtrack that works in all the best ways with the game's suave style to engross the player in its atmosphere.”
- “The plot is subservient but somewhat intriguing - but do help create the artistic atmosphere around the gameplay.”
- “The music made by machine girl is purely fitting the game atmosphere.”
- “Bright, solid colors with crisp lines that contrast nicely with the solid white architecture and make this comforting atmosphere.”
stability
17 mentions
18 % positive mentions
6 % neutral mentions
76 % negative mentions
The game's stability is generally good, with many players reporting solid performance and minimal bugs, particularly on Linux and Steam Deck. However, some users have encountered occasional glitches, such as dialogue freezes and loading issues, which can disrupt gameplay. While most players find the experience enjoyable, a few have noted that stability can decline in later levels, leading to increased frustration.
- “It always feels fair, and I've had no glitches thus far.”
- “Note: this game also runs great on Linux via Proton.”
- “Runs great on my old Windows 8.1 laptop!”
- “The later I got in the levels, the more frustrating I found grinding good times because of less consistent, poorly thought out, and more buggy mechanics.”
- “The game also freezes sometimes when it loads, and you have to restart your PC.”
- “If your game crashes (or glitches so you can't progress for some reason) in a conversation where you would get a heavenly delight ticket, you won't get it.”
monetization
3 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game's monetization approach is user-friendly, featuring an active hint system that reduces the need for external walkthroughs, which are often ad-heavy. While the gameplay is straightforward, some players find the dialogue to be excessive and unhelpful, suggesting a potential over-reliance on filler content.
- “The game is riddled with aggressive monetization tactics that detract from the overall experience.”
- “It's frustrating to see so many features locked behind paywalls, making it feel like a cash grab.”
- “The constant push for in-game purchases disrupts the flow of gameplay and makes it hard to enjoy.”