Hype: Neon Inferno Hands-on Impressions

A city beyond salvation. Crime is everywhere. In the seeds of chaos, two heroes emerge. In 2055, the unjust get away with all the worst crimes. Two heroes, armed to the teeth, seek to take on the wicked. They will battle an entire criminal empire to achieve their goals across the ultimate urban battleground: New York City.

Neon Inferno has been in development for quite some time. In fact, I recall playing Neon Inferno at Play NYC several years back before the pandemic. It's been a long time coming, but Neon Inferno is shaping up to be a great way to end 2025 in games, with its focus on cutting-edge action, a great visual tapestry, and hardcore gameplay.

Laying the scene

My time with Neon Inferno took place at PAX West in Seattle, Washington, during the Seattle MIX event. The demo was brief, but it gave me everything that I needed to know. It is a future ripped straight from the futuristic ideals of the 90s, especially movies like Johnny Mnemonic and Sylvester Stallone's Judge Dredd. It's a world thick with vibrant skylines and highly detailed pixelated characters. It's a world reminiscent of something I would have seen on an arcade cabinet in the '90s.

Visually, there is an impressive array of animation and detail. Our main heroes, Mariana Vitti and Angelo Morano, have striking detail and design. The cityscape, from the streets to the highway, felt lived-in and alive. However, Neon Inferno isn't just about great visuals: it's also about strong gameplay.

Shoot first and shoot fast

Neon Inferno is a run-'n'-gun shooter with foreground and background shooting. At first, the game plays like a traditional run'n'gun, like Contra, shooting enemies from left to right. Later on, the game introduced gallery shooting, where players shoot targets in the background as well. The enemy will attack with every weapon they have, and players alternate between shooting in the front and shooting in the background. With all these hazards, things can get overwhelming. Fortunately, players have one more trick up their sleeve.

Depending on the color of the bullet and the right timing, bullets can be deflected and even bounced back against the enemy. This mechanic, called "bullet time," is essential for survival, as everything from cops to cyborgs is going to converge and decimate the player. Using the right reflexes with firepower keeps players alive.

Prepare to be judged

Playing the demo for Neon Inferno felt great. There is a sense of weight to the movement and jumping, making the gameplay feel right. Shooting felt immeaurably satisfying and reminded me of the spectacle seen in Metal Slug. However, shooting in the background, juggling the foreground action, took some getting used to. The enemy variety was thrilling, from outlaws to the Judge Dredd-looking cops. The challenge is no joke as everything from motorcycles to helicopters engages the player.

The first stage of the demo started with a foot chase, with the tail end ending in a thrilling car chase. Grabbing a motorcycle, players rush through the street, destroying gang members and avoiding civilians. This leads to a beautiful vista of 2055 Manhattan, complete with a neon-lit skyline filled with animated signs. Of course, now was not the time to relax and take in the sights.

From Disco Inferno to Neon Inferno

Neon Inferno promises challenging boss fights at the end of each level. This first boss fight featured an armored truck with the boss firing a heavy cannon. The truck needed to be destroyed in the background, while outlaws attempt to attack in the foreground. It's quite the juggle and unlike anything I have played this year. With practice and familiarity, I imagine players will be able to nail this mechanic.

The boss fight wasn't easy, between the turrets and the mototrcyles. However, it was a visual feast! The truck receives damage and inevitably explodes. The boss, having a jetpack equipped, fires volleys of shells from the background. Using a combination of hacking and shaling, along with shooting, the boss was taken down but not without a few continues.

The Ultimate Challenge

Neon Inferno is another exciting offering from Retroware, following Iron Meat and other titles. Its fast and slick gameplay, coupled with its presentation, is shaping Neon Inferno to be an astounding arcade game. The ultimate challenge awaits players, and with a November 20th release date, that wait isn't long from now.

Neon Inferno arrives on Nintendo Switch, Xbox, PlayStation, and PC on November 20th. The demo is available now on Xbox and Steam.