Neon Inferno [Review]

Neon Inferno is a fantastic run and gun game with many similarities to classics like Metal Slug and Gunstar Heroes. It stands out with its incredible music and what I personally consider the most beautiful pixel art graphics ever seen in an arcade style game.

Players take on the roles of Angelo Morano (who has a strong resemblance to Jin Kazama) and Mariana Vitti. Their mission is to clean up the streets, doing the job for the family a strange setup considering the very Japanese looking main character, despite the Italian names. The gameplay is challenging but features several checkpoints to help maintain progress through the stages. I found it so addictive that I beat the game twice back to back in one sitting. It's not just a traditional 2D shooter; players must watch their backs and shoot both ahead and into the foreground and background. A unique mechanic allows players to deflect green enemy bullets and slow down time to redirect them back at foes. 

My only criticism of the game revolves around the power-ups you can purchase. Players must buy power-ups repeatedly, and crucially, you cannot swap between your standard weapon and a purchased one. Once you switch to the powered-up weapon, you are forced to use it until it runs out of ammunition, instead of being able to equip it when needed and unequip it when finished. In fairness, this is also a design element found in Metal Slug. This is a must play if you enjoy the run and gun genre, offering a perfect blend of high quality graphics, music, and gameplay. It is chaotic, but not overwhelming just challenging enough to keep you engaged and encourage non stop movement.  Neon Inferno is an instant classic and a must play. It's 80s Vaporwave aesthetic and visuals redefine the standard for pixel art games, bringing the entire package together.