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Neon White

You might love or loathe Neon White's willfully cringe anime storytelling, but these blistering platforming time trials are a heavenly delight.
Neon White Game Cover
91%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
grinding, stability
98% User Score Based on 13,980 reviews
Critic Score 89%Based on 9 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchPlaystation 5Playstation 4Xbox Cloud GamingXboxSteam DeckWindowsPlayStationXbox Series X|SPCXbox Game PassCloudXbox One
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Neon White Game Cover

About

Neon White is a single player arcade shooter game with a fantasy theme. It was developed by Angel Matrix and was released on June 16, 2022. It received positive reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

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
Neon White screenshot
Neon White screenshot
Neon White screenshot
Neon White screenshot
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98%
Audience ScoreBased on 13,980 reviews
story1.2k positive mentions
grinding118 negative mentions
  • The energetic and engaging soundtrack by Machine Girl enhances the fast-paced gameplay, making it exhilarating and addictive.
  • Neon White features exceptional replayability, driven by its time trial mechanics and the pursuit of better scores, appealing to both speedrunners and casual gamers.
  • The game's unique visual style and crisp graphics create an immersive atmosphere that complements the gameplay, making each level feel alive and engaging.
  • The story and dialogue are often criticized as cheesy and cringeworthy, detracting from the overall experience.
  • Some players find the grinding aspect tedious, particularly when aiming for 100% completion or optimal scores, leading to repetitive gameplay.
  • While the game generally performs well, some users have reported occasional performance hiccups and glitches that can disrupt gameplay.
  • story
    3,761 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "Neon White" has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it cheesy and cringeworthy, often likening it to over-the-top anime tropes. While some appreciate its self-aware humor and engaging character interactions, others feel it detracts from the gameplay, which is the game's main draw. Despite the criticisms, many players still find the story enjoyable enough to complement the fast-paced, addictive gameplay, and it can be easily skipped for those who prefer to focus solely on the action.

    • “The story is surprisingly engaging for a game focused on speedrunning.”
    • “The story is cheesy but fun, and I really enjoyed the character interactions that come from finding gifts in each level.”
    • “The story, while at times cheesy and predictable, is surprisingly heartfelt and adds depth to the gameplay experience.”
    • “It's insane there's as many good reviews as there are considering the game's story and writing sandbags the entire product.”
    • “The gameplay is also complemented by a story. I can not emphasize how ridiculously bad it is.”
    • “The story is a mixed bag for some, although I really liked it.”
  • gameplay
    3,591 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Neon White" is widely praised for its fast-paced, fluid mechanics that blend first-person shooting with platforming and speedrunning elements, creating an addictive experience that encourages players to optimize their runs. The unique card-based system adds depth to the gameplay, allowing for creative strategies in both combat and traversal. While the story and dialogue receive mixed reviews, often described as cringeworthy, they are generally considered secondary to the engaging and well-designed gameplay that keeps players coming back for more.

    • “Tight-paced FPS/platformer that has incredible creativity & level design, and the gameplay, challenge, and narrative system all hold up together very well. An incredibly tense and well-crafted experience that goes on for hours.”
    • “The gameplay is unlike anything else on the market for good reason. The closest comparison would be to Ultrakill or Postal: Brain Damaged, but it's still so far apart that you are comparing apples to oranges.”
    • “The gameplay is smooth and satisfying. The story is surprisingly more interesting than I would have expected it to be, the voice acting is top-notch, the visuals are clean, distinct, and clearly readable, and the level design is simply outstanding.”
    • “The gameplay is awful.”
    • “The gameplay is mid but the story makes up for it.”
    • “The gameplay is extremely repetitive, so if you're not into literal speed runs -- don't get too excited, properly test the game first.”
  • music
    2,496 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in "Neon White," composed by Machine Girl, has received widespread acclaim for its energetic and engaging soundtrack that perfectly complements the game's fast-paced gameplay. Players appreciate the variety and quality of the tracks, often describing them as "bangers" that enhance the overall experience, making the game feel exhilarating and addictive. While some mention that the music can become repetitive during extended play sessions, the consensus is that it significantly elevates the game's appeal, making it a standout feature.

    • “From the incredible music produced by Machine Girl all the way to the immaculate art style and gameplay, everything fits together perfectly and it plays like a charm.”
    • “The soundtrack is absolute fire - energetic, perfectly matching the speed and intensity of every run.”
    • “The music is fantastic! The soundtrack, by electronic artist Machine Girl, also ranges from mostly just okay to some absolutely standout tracks like 'Rigged Game'.”
    • “Fantastic gameplay, mediocre music, bad dialogue and story.”
    • “The music is awful.”
    • “The soundtrack gets a little repetitive, but is decent enough the first time through.”
  • graphics
    749 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "Neon White" have received widespread acclaim for their unique and stylish aesthetic, which blends elements of early 2000s anime and vaporwave influences. Players appreciate the clean, vibrant visuals that enhance gameplay clarity, making it easy to navigate fast-paced levels. While some critiques mention the simplicity of the graphics, the overall artistic direction and character designs are celebrated for their charm and effectiveness in creating an engaging atmosphere.

    • “The graphics are beautiful, the music is ethereal and timeless, the gameplay has so much replayability to it.”
    • “The visuals are crisp and incredibly readable despite the rapid pace of gameplay, and the music is charming and balances zen and pulse-pounding vibes delicately to set the mood for each environment.”
    • “From the very first level, Neon White hooks players with its distinctive aesthetic, slick controls, and a compelling gameplay loop that pushes you to constantly improve your performance.”
    • “However, something I don't see talked about as much is the graphics.”
    • “There's a stark contrast between the cutscene art style and the level art style.”
    • “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.”
  • humor
    362 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in "Neon White" is a polarizing aspect, often described as a mix of self-aware cringe and intentionally cheesy dialogue that can elicit genuine laughter. Many players appreciate the campy, over-the-top writing and character interactions, finding them endearing and entertaining, while others feel the humor falls flat or becomes annoying. Overall, the game's quirky humor, reminiscent of early 2000s internet culture, adds a unique charm that resonates with fans of the genre, despite its divisive nature.

    • “It's very satisfying, and the writing is so cheesy and cringe, but at the same time self-aware that it's a bit funny.”
    • “The jokes and most of the dialogue are the most cringe millennial humor stuff in the world, but it's (usually) in an ironic and actually funny way, especially with how the very talented voice cast puts effort into it and genuinely puts their all into the dumbest lines in the world.”
    • “The writing, while definitely campy, consistently made me laugh throughout my entire playthrough.”
    • “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
    200 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Neon White is widely praised for its exceptional replayability, driven by its fast-paced gameplay, time trial mechanics, and the pursuit of better scores and medals. Players appreciate the game's design, which encourages repeated playthroughs to discover shortcuts, improve times, and unlock additional content, making it a favorite among speedrunners and casual gamers alike. With features like level rush modes and online leaderboards, the game offers nearly endless opportunities for players to engage and challenge themselves.

    • “Neon White is an incredibly fun game with endless replayability!”
    • “The best part is every level has a secret path you can take to get a better time, which is shown to you once you've beaten the level fast already, which really helps the replayability.”
    • “The gameplay is flawless and is very replayable, so you can play this game for a very long time and still have things to do.”
    • “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
    134 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game elicits mixed reactions from players. While many find the fast-paced level replays and leaderboard competition exhilarating and addictive, others criticize the tedious nature of certain tasks, such as collecting gifts and navigating dialogue-heavy intermissions. Overall, the enjoyment of grinding is often overshadowed by the repetitive and sometimes frustrating elements, particularly for those aiming for 100% completion or optimal scores.

    • “Short levels mean repeating a level isn't tedious, then eventually finding the optimal path is so satisfying.”
    • “A bit grindy... sometimes.”
    • “One long, tedious grind.”
    • “Grinding for every author medal in this game is a treat which rarely got tiring.”
    • “Excessive rote memorization combined with mandatory level grinding ruins what could've been a fun experience.”
    • “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.”
  • optimization
    107 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization is highly praised, with players reporting smooth performance across various platforms, including the Steam Deck and Switch, often achieving high frame rates without significant technical issues. The level design encourages exploration of shortcuts and optimizations, making it a rewarding experience for speedrunners and casual players alike, while the gameplay loop is described as addictive and meticulously crafted to promote continuous improvement. However, some users noted occasional performance hiccups that could disrupt longer runs, but overall, the game's optimization is considered a standout feature.

    • “This game breaks the time attack genre and spins it to obtain the final speedrun game, making each stage a majestic time optimization puzzle that will make you feel like a true gamer.”
    • “Pushing for fast times in the very creative and well-designed levels, full of shortcuts and optimizations, is an extremely satisfying experience.”
    • “From first play to speedrun, each level is so meticulously and intelligently designed in layout and optimizations you can make that it's remarkable that they're all gems from start to finish, even while introducing mechanics to you the whole way through.”
    • “You can get bored of it quickly while trying to find a collectible or optimized run.”
    • “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.”
    • “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.”
  • emotional
    82 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding it surprisingly touching despite its cheesy and campy elements. While some moments resonate deeply, eliciting tears and a sense of connection, others are undermined by humor that detracts from the emotional weight. Overall, the game successfully balances its fast-paced gameplay with heartfelt storytelling, creating a unique experience that can evoke strong feelings, particularly for those who appreciate its nostalgic and quirky themes.

    • “This goes on a very small list of games that actually made me cry.”
    • “The game offers not just a high-speed passage of time trials, but the destruction of crowds of demons without excessive cruelty, while touching on the themes of forgiveness and redemption.”
    • “The whole game aims to have a similar vibe to 2000s edgy kids; with edgy masks, suits, emo haircuts and more, but beyond this veneer of 'cringe', lies a heartfelt story of regret, forgiveness, and love.”
  • character development
    78 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising the vibrant and memorable character designs and solid voice acting. However, the dialogue and overall writing are frequently criticized as cringeworthy and lacking depth, detracting from the potential for meaningful character growth. While some players appreciate the character development elements tied to gameplay, others feel that the narrative fails to engage, making it difficult to invest in the characters.

    • “The storyline and the character development really hooked me in, the gameplay just gets better and better, and the voice acting is really really good.”
    • “With edgy character designs that stand out from the crowd, you'll instantly fall in love with what it has to offer in terms of story and dialogue, even if it's not perfect.”
    • “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 the type of person who enjoys tight control time trial platforming, and would be interested in best breaking a game to get the fastest speed, you will thoroughly enjoy this, but 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.”
  • atmosphere
    31 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is characterized by a vibrant visual style and an exceptional soundtrack by Machine Girl, which enhances the immersive experience and complements the fast-paced gameplay. Players appreciate the unique blend of neon-drenched environments and atmospheric music that creates a captivating and euphoric vibe, making each level feel alive and engaging. Overall, the combination of art design, music, and level intricacies contributes to a cohesive and memorable atmosphere that resonates with players.

    • “The strengths of the game include an atmospheric soundtrack, a vivid visual style that is expressed in the use of soul cards that transform into weapons, as well as the ability to develop relationships with other characters, revealing their characters.”
    • “The music, the atmosphere, and the characters bring you into a state of euphoria that you can't get from a slow-paced game.”
    • “The neon-drenched, angelic and demonic realms provide a dazzling contrast of colors and atmospheres that never cease to captivate.”
    • “The soundtrack is delightfully weird and fitting the overall atmosphere.”
    • “A unique soundtrack that works in all the best ways with the game's suave style to engross the player in its atmosphere.”
  • stability
    17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's stability is generally positive, with many players reporting smooth performance and minimal bugs. However, some users have encountered occasional glitches, particularly with dialogue freezing and loading issues, which can disrupt gameplay. While most players have not experienced significant problems, a few 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
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is praised for its straightforward monetization model, offering a complete experience without microtransactions or excessive DLCs. Players appreciate the absence of ads and the inclusion of an active hint system, making gameplay more enjoyable and accessible. However, some find the dialogue to be unnecessary filler, detracting from the overall experience.

    • “Good game, no microtransactions, no endless DLCs, just a complete game.”
    • “The game is riddled with aggressive monetization tactics that detract from the overall experience.”
    • “It's frustrating how much content is locked behind paywalls, making it feel like a cash grab.”
    • “The constant push for in-game purchases disrupts the flow and enjoyment of the game.”
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89%Critics’ scoreBased on 9 critic reviews
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17h Median play time
32h Average play time
10-54h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 35 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Neon White is a arcade shooter game with fantasy theme.

Neon White is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Steam Deck and others.

On average players spend around 32 hours playing Neon White.

Neon White was released on June 16, 2022.

Neon White was developed by Angel Matrix.

Neon White has received positive reviews from players and positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

Neon White is a single player game.

Similar games include I Am Your Beast, Cyber Hook, Ghostrunner, Katana ZERO, DeadCore and others.