Neon Blood

I'll admit that I'm a bit of a sucker for 2.5D games lately. Neon Blood is one of those sci-fi adventure games that looks right up my alley. It combines the heavy narrative arc with those old-school late-90s mechanics. Still, more importantly, the aesthetic brings back all kinds of nostalgia. I'm under the impression that every millennial gamer craves titles like this. But obviously, there's the matter of whether the game is any good.

Neon Blood puts you in the boots of a detective unraveling corporate corruption in a near-future, post-war city. It's almost as if you're playing the game version of a movie that never existed. I'm coming into this title with high expectations, as these nostalgia-based games haven't failed to impress me over the past couple of years. Let's get into the action.

A Tales of Two Cities

Its setting is at the heart of Neon Blood. Bright City and Blind City offer a stark contrast that visually and narratively drives the story forward. Bright City, with its sleek skyscrapers and wealth, represents the heights of human achievement but is also riddled with corruption. Blind City, by contrast, is a sprawling maze of rundown buildings, flashing lights, and shadowy figures struggling to survive. The division between these two worlds creates a tense, dual atmosphere that permeates the game, pulling players into the divide between rich and poor, privileged and oppressed.

The gameplay mixes detective work and fast-paced action. As Axel, players are tasked with uncovering clues, piecing together information, and interrogating individuals from both sides of the city. These sequences offer a nice change of pace, giving the game a cerebral edge alongside the more adrenaline-fueled combat. The combat itself is a fluid mix of gunplay and hand-to-hand fighting, and the game's controls feel tight, making battles both challenging and rewarding.

Where Neon Blood shines is in its balance of storytelling and action. The narrative is engaging and filled with twists and turns that keep players invested in Axel's journey. Each revelation peels back another layer of the city's secrets, compelling the story. The writing is sharp, and the dialogue between characters adds depth to their personalities, especially Axel, who is both gritty and relatable.

Despite its strengths in world-building and atmosphere, Neon Blood sometimes falls short of creating a truly immersive experience. While interesting, side characters often feel underdeveloped, and the game could benefit from deeper exploration mechanics that encourage players to dig further into the lore of this dystopian society.

Style Over Substance

Visually, Neon Blood excels with its use of neon lights, sharp contrasts, and futuristic designs. The environments are richly detailed, and the cyberpunk aesthetic is top-notch, evoking a strong sense of place. Yet, while the world is visually captivating, some areas lack interactive depth, with certain sections feeling more like background scenery than living, breathing parts of the city.

Round-Up - Pros & Cons

Pros:

• The rich, atmospheric cyberpunk world
• Engaging detective and combat mechanics
• Strong narrative with unexpected twists

Cons:

• Some pacing issues, particularly with slower detective sequences
• Underdeveloped side characters and lack of exploration depth
• Occasional linearity in environments and mission structure