Neon White is a game about speed, and it wastes no time proving it. The opening level drops you into a heaven that looks like a brutalist shopping mall, hands you a demon-killing sword, and tells you to run. Within seconds you are vaulting over enemies, flicking between guns, and chasing a ghost of your own best time. It is the rare action game that makes its leaderboard feel like the main event, not a side mode.
Developed by Angel Matrix and published by Annapurna Interactive, Neon White launched in 2022 for PC, PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. It is a first-person shooter built around a simple trick: every weapon you pick up is also a movement tool. A pistol lets you double-jump. A rifle lets you dash through the air. An SMG launches you forward like a rocket. You are not just shooting demons; you are using them to climb faster.
The result is a game that turns every level into a puzzle. The goal is never just to finish. It is to finish fast, then faster, then faster still. Each stage has a medal system that rewards you for beating par times, and the real game opens up when you start chasing the gold and ace ranks. The levels are short, often under a minute, which makes failure painless and retries addictive.
Trailer, via Nintendo of America.
Heaven’s Brutalist Halls
The setting is a stylized afterlife where souls compete for a spot in paradise. You play as Neon White, a recent arrival with a chip on his shoulder and a voice in his head. The cast is a mix of cocky rivals and mysterious handlers, all voiced with a kind of anime energy that fits the game’s visual style. The art direction is bright and clean, with neon outlines and stark geometry that make every platform and enemy readable at a glance.
The story is delivered in visual-novel style cutscenes between levels. It is not the point of the game, but it is not filler either. The writing has a self-aware edge, and the characters grow on you. There is a central mystery about why Neon White was killed and what heaven is really for, and it pays off in a way that respects your time. You can skip it if you want, but you will probably want to see it through.
Speedrunning Paradise
The core loop is simple: play a level, learn the route, shave off seconds, repeat. The game encourages this with a global leaderboard and a system of in-game rewards for beating specific times. The best moments come when you find a new line through a level, a sequence of dashes and gunshots that feels like a secret language. The game is generous with checkpoints and quick restarts, so the friction between attempt and retry is almost zero.
The difficulty curve is steep but fair. Early levels teach you the basics, and later ones combine mechanics in ways that demand real precision. For players who finish the campaign, there is a set of post-game challenges that remix levels with tougher enemy placement. The game does not hold your hand, but it does not punish you for failing either.
The soundtrack, composed by Machine Girl, is a relentless mix of drum and bass and electronic noise. It matches the pace of the action perfectly. The music does not just accompany the gameplay; it drives it. When you are on a good run, the beat and your movement lock into a single rhythm.
The Full Package
Neon White is a complete package. It has a tight campaign, a deep speedrun mode, and a set of side missions that extend the playtime without feeling like padding. The game is also generous with its content. Each level has hidden collectibles and alternate routes, and finding them all is a reward in itself. The whole thing takes about eight to ten hours for a first playthrough, with plenty of reason to go back.
There are minor flaws. The story sections can slow the momentum, especially when you are in the middle of a good run. The difficulty spikes can be frustrating for players who are not used to precision platforming. And the game’s humor is not for everyone. But these are small complaints against a game that does so much so well.
The game’s message is simple: fail, learn, and improve. It wants you to shave seconds off every run, to find the faster line, to treat each retry as a step toward mastery.
“Try again, faster.”
It is a game that respects your intelligence and your reflexes, and it rewards both in equal measure.
Numbers and Details
- Developer: Angel Matrix
- Publisher: Annapurna Interactive
- Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
- Release Year: 2022
- Genre: First-person action, speedrun platformer
- Soundtrack: Machine Girl
- Score: 8.9/10
Neon White is a masterclass in game feel. It is fast, tight, and endlessly replayable. The speedrun loop is so well designed that you will keep playing long after the credits roll. It is one of the best action games of its generation, and it earns every second of your time. 8.9/10.
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