Graham Sherry Guest Post: Neon Chrome Review

“Neon Chrome is a ruthless top-down cyberpunk shooter with rogue-like elements. The game takes place inside an arcology – a massive sci-fi mega structure. Blast your way through walls with guns and cybernetic abilities and try alternate approaches with different roles like the Assassin, Corporate Soldier or the Cyber Psycho. Upgrade your character stats, discover new cybernetic enhancements and build up strength to finally face the Overseer. Every death is a new beginning – the path to defeating the Overseer is never the same.”

As you have read above, Neon Chrome is a Cyber Punk themed game, whereby you need to defeat the overseer. The game is procedurally generated, and in my experience, no 2 levels are identical. There may be instances where some look similar, but this creates a steady challenge for you as you progress through each floor of the office block.

The aim is simple, get to the exit via the green coloured square room. Sounds simple doesn’t it? Well, yes and no. Yes because in essence, run and gun your way there via key collecting for coloured doors if need be. No, because you will get obliterated. Many times over. Seriously, this game is unforgiving and will punish you for being careless. But this is not an issue. Neon Chrome is addictive. So far, I’ve been saying, just one more go many times over.

Being a top down twin stick shooter, you get a good view of the level ahead and can see what enemies lie ahead. Movement is fluid, and controls are set up just right and allow you to make your way through the game with ease. Or until a quick death, which will be the norm at first.

Upon your death, your in game character is able to return to the game hub, purchase any upgrades for your next run. These include Health, Damage, Luck, Energy and Slots. The first two skills are self explanatory, whilst Luck increases rare loot drop rate, critical hit chances and higher amounts of credits dropped. Energy lows you to use your special abilities more often the higher it is increased. Finally, slots will allow you to acquire more temporary upgrades to your character in the levels. These can be melee upgrades, invisibility whilst stationary, health increases and several more.

Below your hub are cryogenic containers where your next asset will appear from once you sit in the immersion chair. Each one has a different name, and main ability. Techie, Assassin or Cyber Psycho will offer you different beginning stats, such as increased hit points, extra slots, increased speed. They will also have set a weapon and ability which uses energy. Such as mines, micro missiles, grenades and laser pulses.

Above your hub, is the Public Services room. Here you can customize your next asset with Enhancements which you normally find within the levels via enhancement booths. Or start with a weapon of your choice, or energy consuming abilities. However, you will need to unlock these first during regular game play.

The game itself, is a very simple concept, and a lot of fun. You will die a lot, and at times, may become frustrated with the lack of progress. But I became determined to over come this obstacle, and started investing into the health and damage upgrades. This costs you money, of which you can loot from various containers in each level.

The amount of levels per chapter differs each time you play, but the end of each chapter remains the same. You have a boss fight to contend with. Die here, and you start each chapter from the beginning. Unless you want to backtrack and start from a previous chapter. The bosses have 3 stages of health bar, and increases their aggression of attacks the more you damage them. Relentless is a word I would most certainly use here. Thankfully, normal enemies can be sneak attacked if the don’t see you.

There is a decent selection of weapons to unlock in the game, from Sub MG, Assault Rifle, Burst Rifle, Shotgun, to Ion and Laser variants. I was lucky enough to find a Rail Gun. The latter can shoot enemies through most walls. Pick which ever you find easiest to take with you. If you wish to choose your own weapon before a level run, be prepared to pay with credits.

Here is a break down:

Graphics:
Visually, it’s a pretty Indie game, with small assets, and nicely detailed office floors. Never thought I would say that in any context. The cyber punk look is certainly a refreshing one, and a theme I for one love almost as much as Steampunk.

Music/FX:
The music is a perfect match for the Cyber Punk look. Electro punk? Whatever you want to call it, it works well along with the game. Sound effects for guns an explosions sound right, and when it comes to the shotgun.

Longevity:
You will certainly be here a while as you push forward to deafeat the Overseer. Unless you’re a gaming God. By no means easy, Neon Chrome is a tough game, that will have you trying again, just one more time. There is also a couch co op mode available for those lucky enough to have a gaming buddy nearby.

Achievements:
The achievements don’t seem to difficult on paper, and they’re not. The difficulty is what makes them hard to unlock. By no means a quick completion. Don’t let this put you off though. Neon Chrome is a fun Indie game, and the more you play and upgrade, the better chance of progression you will have.

Overall:
I have enjoyed my time with Neon Chrome. Although at first I felt disheartened by my lack of progress, I stuck at it. Slowly, I am getting further in the game. Maybe I’ll unlock another achievemdnt some day.

I award Neon Chrome 4 stars on True Achievements or 8/10 if you prefer that score.