Neon Inferno Review: A Cyberpunk Love Letter to Run-and-Gun Chaos

A Cyberpunk Run-and-Gun That Honors the Past Without Being Trapped by It

NEON INFERNO arrives with a clear mission statement: take the classic 16-bit run-and-gun formula, fuse it with gallery-shooter mechanics, and wrap it all in a bold cyberpunk aesthetic. Developed by Zenovia Interactive and published by Retroware, the game wears its inspirations proudly, often described as “Contra meets Wild Guns,” but it quickly proves it has its own identity. Rather than relying solely on nostalgia, NEON INFERNO modernizes familiar ideas through smart mechanical layering, demanding combat flow, and striking visual presentation.

Set in a dystopian version of New York City, the game places players in the role of an assassin working for a crime syndicate known as The Family. The story is intentionally lean, functioning more as thematic texture than narrative centerpiece, but it establishes a gritty tone that complements the relentless pace of the action.

Two Killers, One City, Distinct Styles

Players can choose between two playable characters: Angelo Morano and Mariana Vitti. While they share the same core mechanics, their designs and animations give each a distinct presence on screen. Angelo leans into a more traditional gunman silhouette, while Mariana’s design emphasizes agility and sharpness, visually reinforcing the game’s emphasis on precision and movement.

Both characters are rendered with expressive sprite work that sells personality without dialogue-heavy storytelling. Their cyberpunk styling fits seamlessly into the world, and the animations feel deliberate, readable, and weighty. This clarity becomes essential once the screen fills with enemies attacking from multiple planes.

Foreground Action Meets Background Threats

At its core, NEON INFERNO is built around a dual-layer combat system. Traditional run-and-gun action unfolds in the foreground, where players run, jump, dodge, and slash through enemies. At the same time, threats emerge from the background, requiring players to stop moving and aim into the distance in gallery-shooter fashion.

This push-and-pull defines the game’s identity. Choosing when to stay mobile and when to lock into background targeting is a constant tactical decision. The melee counter, which allows players to deflect bullets back at enemies using a timed sword strike, is one of the most satisfying mechanics in the game. It rewards patience, awareness, and rhythm, turning defense into offense in a way that feels earned rather than automated.

Vehicle sequences and set-piece moments add variety without overstaying their welcome. Whether fighting from moving bikes or leaping between speeding vehicles, the game consistently finds ways to escalate its scenarios while maintaining mechanical coherence.

Visual Design, Sound, and Readability

Visually, NEON INFERNO is gorgeous. The pixel art blends classic 16-bit sprite design with modern lighting effects, volumetric glows, and dynamic environmental detail. Neon signage, industrial interiors, and crumbling cityscapes create a world that feels alive and dangerous. Optional CRT filters allow players to dial in the level of retro presentation they prefer, without forcing a specific aesthetic.

The soundtrack reinforces the cyberpunk tone with driving rhythms that push momentum forward without overwhelming the action. Sound design plays a critical role in combat feedback, making gunfire, deflections, and enemy cues feel sharp and responsive.

I played NEON INFERNO on Nintendo Switch 2, where performance held up well even during the most chaotic encounters. The game benefits from smoother frame pacing and faster load times on newer hardware, though its visual clarity and design intent remain intact across platforms. Even when the screen fills with enemies, the game generally remains readable, a testament to its strong visual language.

Boss Fights, Difficulty, and Design Choices

Each stage culminates in a boss encounter, and these fights are among the game’s strongest elements. Bosses are mechanically layered, visually distinct, and structured around multiple phases that test pattern recognition and adaptability. Winning feels satisfying because success comes from understanding systems rather than exploiting shortcuts.

That said, NEON INFERNO occasionally stumbles in traditional design areas. Difficulty settings are locked to save files, preventing players from adjusting challenge levels mid-run. Checkpoint placement can feel uneven, occasionally breaking momentum after particularly strong sections.

Secondary weapons, purchased between stages, are another mixed inclusion. Their limited ammunition and lack of mid-level replenishment make them feel less impactful than the core combat mechanics, which are strong enough to stand on their own.

Co-Op Carnage and Replay Value

Local co-op elevates NEON INFERNO significantly. Playing alongside a second character amplifies the chaos while encouraging coordination and communication. The game’s systems feel well-suited to shared play, turning already intense encounters into cooperative problem-solving exercises.

While the campaign itself is relatively concise, replay value comes from mastering mechanics, tackling higher difficulties, and chasing cleaner runs. It embraces an arcade mindset, asking players to improve rather than simply finish.

Final Thoughts

NEON INFERNO is a confident, stylish action game that understands both where it comes from and what it wants to be. It successfully blends run-and-gun intensity with gallery-shooter precision, delivering a cyberpunk experience that feels demanding, rewarding, and visually striking. While some design choices hold it back from reaching its full potential, the core gameplay loop is strong enough to carry the experience.

For fans of classic action games looking for something familiar yet thoughtfully modernized, NEON INFERNO delivers exactly that.

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Release Information

NEON INFERNO is available digitally and physically on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, published by Retroware.

More information can be found at the official site: https://neoninferno.com/