Neon Chrome Reviews
Neon Chrome is a fun twin-stick shooter that has a rewarding upgrade feature and a good visual aesthetic. The controls feel tight, even if they do take some getting used to, and the procedural environments, enemy placements, and character selection, all ensure that each playthrough feels fresh. The visual setting from level to level could do with a bit more distinction as each level is based in the same type of office floor, but this is a minor gripe. Overall, there is a lot of game-time to be had within Neon Chrome, and those looking for a twin-stick shooter on the Nintendo Switch should certainly take note.
Neon Chrome's roguelike qualities combined with shoot'em up gameplay mechanics contribute to make this an interesting game that makes the players change their tactics with every level and which presents an immense amount of weapons and upgrades. However, it also feels like it doesn't quite fulfill its potential, as its plot remains stale throughout the game and the audiovisual component doesn't show anything worthy of praise.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
In a nutshell, Neon Chrome does set out what it aims to do by giving you a decent top-down shooter that is fulfilling enough to play through at least once. The randomised level layout keeps the action diverse and can drive some to keep playing a long time after you first see the credits roll. It may look very low budget in presentation but what it lacks in visuals, it makes up for in atmosphere.
Neon Chrome is a brilliant title that has plenty of content packed into it with well-designed gameplay mechanics at work to give players a solid title. Though playing in docked mode has a number of minor issues that can be overlooked, the game is a blast to play in handheld mode. If you are looking for an engaging and challenging title you and pick up and play on the go then look no further than Neon Chrome.
It's not an original game by any means, though it also doesn't do anything wrong. I'd be surprised if this game was still finding new fans at this stage, but it's not a bad one to have on the Nintendo Switch for playing on the go either.
Neon Chrome's environmental destruction and bright, cyberpunk colors do a lot to help it stand out from a crowd of dark and dreary rogue-likes. Giving players a sense of progression helps motivate you to play through multiple rounds, and the procedurally generated levels mean you are always doing your best to scout ahead and make a plan for the next room, whether that be taking out a few walls or running in guns blazing.
Ultimately, Neon Chrome is a game for a certain audience. If you're one for sci-fi, retro-style action games, definitely pick this one up.
Of the different kinds of Nindie titles that have come to Switch this is definitely my favorite genre. I've started to become picky about what I play though as there's been a lot of roguelike titles released, almost to the point of saturation. Initially it didn't feel much different from some existing games I played until I started to realize how much freedom the levels allowed. After discovering new power ups and developing new strategies I became addicted to dethroning the Overseer. If you've been initially turned off of the genre because of the permadeath nature and potentially low replayability than Neon Chrome is a great title to get your toes wet with as it's probably the least roguelike Shooter/RPG released so far on the Switch.
When all is said and done, when the glow of the stylish aesthetic and the intrigue of the Cyberpunk Orwellian narrative have fizzled out, Neon Chrome emerges as an average, sometimes fun but more often than not generic twin-stick rogue-like with a Sci-Fi coat of paint; it rarely lives up to its explosive promise or explores its thematic potential in any meaningful way. It could be argued that the genre is solely about the mechanics, but with a neglected back story failing to compliment the reasonable if hardly revolutionary gameplay, it's difficult not to feel a little flat about the experience on offer.
I’ve actually been enjoying Neon Chrome for quite some time on the PC and am thrilled that it has finally made its way to the Switch, even moreso that it has come over quite flawlessly. Beating the Overseer is no easy feat but what I love the most about the game is that it continues to scale itself up even past that initial victory and you’ll be able to continue to test your skills and your load outs against consistently formidable resistance. In some ways it is when all of the skill options are finally available to you that the game most comes to life, throwing exciting challenges at you and demanding that you give it your full attention to persevere. While I’ve played many roguelike shooters and enjoy them all I hold Neon Chrome up as one of my absolute favorites for multiple reasons.
Mixing things up a little could have worked wonders, but as it is, playing Neon Chrome is an exercise in tedium occasionally broken up by the odd exciting moment. The progression system amounts to little more than slowly increasing numbers next to things like 'health' and 'damage', and contradictory design choices mean that despite options being made available to you, the best option is almost always the same one. Ultimately, Neon Chrome is a game that wants you to keep coming back for more, but one that offers few reasons to actually do so.
The game has a lot on offer and for a reasonable price. I enjoyed playing this release for my Neon Chrome review. While it’s not perfect, and it doesn’t have a Platinum trophy, it’s still a ver fun release you can enjoy either at home on your PS4 or on the go on your PS Vita.
Neon Chrome makes good use of the cyberpunk setting, but remains light on story. While the grind is real, the game shows real promise in couch cooperative play. If twin-stick shooters are your thing, you could do much worse than Neon Chrome.
The game is solid, fun, and kept me entertained for quite a while. Sure, it can be frustrating at times, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t a great game. When you have the chance, pick this game up. You’ll get through it… eventually…
All in all, it’s great and on-point without being too one-dimensional. That feeling this game gives to the players every time they discover something new, may it be cash from slain enemies or secret rooms to further progress through the game’s level, makes them want to stay immersed for hours on end. Though minor flaws are inevitable, at the end of it all Neon Chrome can and will still give you your money’s worth once you start playing. ‘Nuff said.
Fans of the top down shooter will no doubt feel right at home here, but there's nothing in particular to grab gamers who are already averse to the genre.
[Neon Chrome‘s] bright and shiny visuals are certainly a pleasure to look at, while the tactical shooting and use of perks offers a different challenge each time you play
Neon Chrome is an excellent addition to the bullet-hell twin-stick shooter genre that oozes with originality and ensures that no level is exactly the same as another. Despite a lackluster protagonist and simple enemy designs, Neon Chrome delivers on an excellent gameplay experience packaged in 80s science fiction that will keep players sending hundreds of Assets to their graves like pigs to the slaughter for many, many hours.
Neon Chrome certainly has its charms, and it can be a lot of fun, especially if you bring some friends along. At the same time, I feel like there’s a lot of missed opportunity here. The “succession planning” mechanics add depth and a sense of progress to the roguelike aspect of the game, but not enough to incite the obsessive “just one more try!” feeling that this genre needs.
It is good fun while it lasts, and is worth a couple (dozen) runs through to the Overseer to see what he has in store.