Neon Inferno (PC) Review

Neon Inferno is set in the future, three decades to be exact, and the Big Apple, New York, is at war with itself where criminal syndicates control four of its five boroughs figghting the NYPD for supremacy. It’s up to you as Angelo Morano or Mariana Vitti (or both in 2 player mode), assassins representing the Family, to set into the city and restore order in the streets by any means necessary.

Neon Inferno is a 2D action platformer with a twist! On the surface it might look like a Contra/Probotector-like run-and-gun game, but it also combines gallery-shooter mechanic akin to Wild Guns where you’ll need to shoot enemies in the background. Along with your pistol, you also carry a blade with two purposes: the first one being to kill enemies that like to be a bit too close but also to reflect enemy bullets; but not all bullets. Green bullets can be reflected back to their source for a nice kill.

If you hold the button long enough, the game goes into a Bullet time sequence allowing players to redirect the bullets wherever you want. Players can also dodge enemy attacks and the game will also graciously highlight bullets coming from the background allowing players a chance to jump or dodge. The game offers the option to tackle the missions in whichever order you choose. Once all cleared, you’ll get thrown into the final area of the game.

While most levels are 2D platformer, some sequences have players riding on a motorcycle while trying to survive the mayhem. The difference is that you’re able to switch lanes in order to kill enemies in the background and avoid other cars. Before any mission briefing/selection, you can visit a shop where you’ll purchase additional firepower. Purchased power ups can also be re-sold. How do you earn money? By your level performance. The better/faster you perform, less damage you take, deaths or casualties, you’ll earn a top score and earn more money.

The game has a wonderful 16-bit pixelated cyberpunk-ish aesthetic; reminds me a lot of the Super NES/Famicom era of gaming. It’s has a perfect color tone; dark yet colorful. Each level has a unique style/theme for gameplay variety. Enemy design is fair and easy to track most of the time; although sometimes, in the chaos of things, it’s easy to miss an enemy or projectile. The soundtrack is a unique blend of synthwave, rock with some jazzy undertones at times which sometimes doesn’t match the intention on-screen action, but it works well with the game matches the smooth and relax demeanor of the protagonists.

The game does have a few minor nuisances. At times, the screen becomes incredibly busy and it gets overly chaotic for its own good. Trying to keep up with everything; foreground enemies, background enemies, green bullets, multi-colored bullets; all the while trying to shoot can be overwhelming at time. Also your health doesn’t/isn’t regenerated. And you can’t move while shooting in the background.

Neon Inferno is an excellent game which offers a nice unique twist on the 2D run and gun genre. The mix of both genres works out surprisingly well. The game will keep players on their toes with its addictive and solid gameplay. The different levels of difficulty will keep players busy for sometime. While there are some minor nuisances such as too much at once and not buying able to move while shooting in the background, these things are easy to adapt to and are parts of the game’s charm. Neon Inferno is one of the best games I’ve played in recent memory and deserves your time and money. Don’t believe me? Try the demo for yourself.