Is it better to do a few things spectacularly or to do many things well even if the whole package doesn't add up to something exemplary? I think Neon White is an excellent argument for the former. While I'll talk more about where it could have used more work, I can't praise it enough for it's gameplay. White's levels are time trials where you eliminate the enemies and hit the finish line as quickly as you can. You're awarded a medal based on how quick you finish. This may not seem revolutionary but zipping through obstacles and figuring out shortcuts to shave a couple of seconds off your best time is exhilarating. Going as fast as you can and flying through things gave me a shot of dopamine that I haven't experienced in any other game. Add into the mix that you pick up cards that either allow you to use different kinds of guns or you can discard them for unique power boosts (the revolver is a double jump, the rifle is a dash etc.) and things get really exciting. This game is addictive and I mean this in the best of ways. The only negative is that some levels are pretty challenging but I was so determined to finish that I never got too upset and I largely just had to tighten up my timing and hone my reflexes to get through any rough patches. The game also doesn't expect you to be perfect, it's pretty lenient in requirements to get from stage to stage. I've heard the phrase "easy to pickup, hard to master" from critics and I agree with that sentiment. Neon White is pretty accessible all things considered, you don't have to be an experienced speed runner to play this game. But if you want those ace medals and those gifts, some practise may be required.
Add in the colourful environments and the finely tuned soundtrack and you've got an even more memorable experience. The levels in Neon White are vibrant and help you picture this idea of what heaven could be. Waterfalls, chasms and giant buildings dot the landscape and there's just enough variety to keep things interesting when you move from section to section. The levels are pretty linear so there isn't much free-form exploring but there's enough visual flair here to keep you entranced as you execute demon after demon. I also want to credit the soundtrack by Machine Girl, it fits the what the game is going for so perfectly. I'm not huge into techno/electronica but even after my 10th time running through a level to get the ace, I was nodding my head along with the beat as I used the grappling hook to go from building to building. Neon White succeeds at a lot but between the visuals and the audio, creating its own vibe is definitely at the top of the list.
As much as I loved most of Neon White, the majority of the criticism (which hasn't been much) surrounding the game has been thrown at the story and dialogue. I can't completely dodge this argument. I think the story is serviceable, it's not bad but it's not great either. It works in getting White from A to B and doesn't do much else. I did surprisingly enjoy the characters and the dialogue in a cheesy soap opera kind of way. So much of the dialogue is so bad I was wincing but I was also dying laughing with some of the things the characters said (especially the dialogue between White and Neon Green). I don't think it was done intentionally, it happens too frequently and it never comes across as the game doing it "ironically." But I also think the voice acting was good across the board and that may have helped some of the iffy lines go down a little easier.
I think Neon White is deserving of the acclaim it's gotten and then some. It isn't perfect but what it excels at, it knocks it out of the park. The anime sensibilities aren't my thing normally but the creator Ben Esposito and his team said he made this game for "freaks." I guess I'm freakier than I thought. Neon White is a rush and while the story/dialogue can't clear the high bar the rest of the game sets, that shouldn't detract from how unique of a ride the game is overall. If you're looking for something a little more off the beaten path for your next FPS, I'd wholly recommend giving Neon White a shot.
