8Bit/Digi

Two Outlaws in a Wicked City

Neon Inferno first grabbed my attention during this year’s Steam Next Fest. As a fan of old-school style games, I’m always drawn to titles that capture the feeling of a classic experience. This one immediately stood out by evoking the feel of a 90s arcade title or something I would have played on my friend’s SEGA Genesis. Yet, the looks were just the tip of the iceberg compared to the overall experience and how it played out.

This is a game that carries all the hallmarks of a classic ’90s side-scroller while playing like a modern title. It’s not just the familiar story setup that reflects this blend, but also the way it brings its cyberpunk world to life, creating a setting that feels busy, vibrant, and constantly bursting with action. Neon Inferno is a game that will exceed your expectations, even if you grew up playing such games back in the day.

Welcome to NYC in 2055

Set in the year 2055, New York City has become a cyberpunk dystopia controlled by vicious gangs and a corrupt political machine. Players take on the role of Angelo Morano and Mariana Vitti, assassins working for the Family, a crime syndicate determined to eliminate its rivals and dominate the city. They are tasked with taking out the key leaders of their biggest rivals. This includes bosses and underbosses of rival gangs, along with politicians who act against the Family, and the NYPD. Each successful mission will bring the Family one step closer to dominating the city.

At first glance, one might assume the story only exists to give players a sense of purpose. It’s an understandable expectation, especially for a game that doesn’t seem built around narrative depth. But that assumption would be wrong. The story may be simple, yet it knows how to turn that simplicity into something memorable. The characters stand out with distinct personalities that go beyond being hired assassins. Meanwhile, the music and animation style help set the perfect mood during every moment outside of combat.

Baptised in Fire

Neon Inferno delivers a unique take on a classic gameplay setup. It blends elements of a side-scroller with the intensity of a gallery shooter, creating a fast and layered experience. Action unfolds across both the foreground and background, letting players switch between targets seamlessly while keeping every encounter engaging. Players can also deflect incoming projectiles back at enemies and use a bullet-time command to precisely control their trajectory.

Navigating the city isn’t simple, as levels combine traps, platforms, and unpredictable curveballs that constantly test your skills, while vehicular combat sections raise the challenge by forcing you to fight enemies and dodge obstacles at high speed. After each session, you’re rewarded with cash based on your overall performance, and that money can be invested in an upgrade that strengthens your abilities and gives you an edge.

Best of all, players can enjoy the action solo or with a friend. The game has been crafted to be like a classic arcade experience that supports both single-player and co-op play seamlessly. The only thing that it changes is that you can battle in the streets with a friend if you like, instead of doing it solo. It’s a welcome aspect, since I dislike playing with randos online but love sharing a couch co-op session with a friend.

One to the Heart

From the moment you start, Neon Inferno grabs your attention with visual design choices that capture the aesthetics of a Fourth Generation era game. It’s a 16-bit 2D experience, yet the attention to detail is unmistakable, especially during the cutscenes that set the stage for what’s to come. This craftsmanship extends beyond the storytelling and into the action itself. Neon colors contrast with the damp, decaying backgrounds to convey a sense of hopelessness within a city torn apart by gang warfare, an ideal artistic choice for a cyberpunk hellscape.

But don’t think the game only looks good, as Neon Inferno is genuinely fun to play. The fast-paced action never gives you a moment to rest, constantly pushing you to keep moving forward. You’re always adapting to new environments while rethinking how to overcome each wave of foes. Going solo is great on its own, but experiencing the chaos with a friend makes the adventure even better. From the way it’s set up, it delivers one of the best couch co-op experiences you’ll find outside of a beat ’em up or fighting game. Players will work together to overcome the many foes encountered while fighting some of the challenging bosses.

Finally, I have to highlight the game’s rich collection of boss fights, each one unique in its own way. Players will face a rogues’ gallery of minibosses and main bosses throughout every mission. While many of the minibosses are straightforward encounters, the main bosses stand out with their distinct attack patterns and the unique challenges they introduce during each battle. These challenges include attacks from the environment, certain attacks that need to be avoided, or the support they receive. However, the main bosses will have their own weaknesses that can be exploited.  

Friendly Fire

Neon Inferno is a game that gets almost everything right, but one aspect becomes annoying very quickly: the inconsistency of its checkpoint placement. Too often, I would be killed by a miniboss and forced to restart from a much earlier section, fighting my way back instead of returning to the moment the boss battle began. Other moments it could be a long section, and I could die close to the end, only to start over from the start instead of a halfway point. Regardless, these moments become frustrating, as you’re forced to start far back and replay sections that quickly wear on your patience.

A Fatal Overturn

Neon Inferno has the hallmarks of a classic ’90s side-scroller while still feeling like a modern game. Its story and visual design carry familiar echoes of that era. The overall experience has been polished to deliver a consistently fun adventure. Making it an experience you will enjoy with a friend, regardless if you grew up playing such games.

Disclaimer: The publisher, through a PR representative, provided the game used for this review.

This review is the critique and thoughts of one writer. If you want to see how other critics felt, then check it out on OpenCritic.

8Bit/Digi is an independent media outlet that provides insight into the gamer community of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Neon Inferno (PC)

9

Excellent

9.0/10

Pros

• Classic story but with a lot of depth regarding the world and characters.
• Unique combat and gameplay that is easy to master.
• Visual design choices that capture the aesthetics of a Fourth Generation era game.
• Fun to play with a friend.

Cons

• Inconsistency of its checkpoint placement.