Although brief, I can say that Neon Drive is perhaps stylistically the most potentially captivating and fun rhythm games in recent memory forAlthough brief, I can say that Neon Drive is perhaps stylistically the most potentially captivating and fun rhythm games in recent memory for me. A freeform rhythm game in the vein of Audiosurf, Neon Drive is perhaps best summed up as an 80s reskin of Audiosurf, and while that makes for an excellent formula, it does bring the game's level of uniqueness into question for rhythm game veterans who know the insides and outs of the genre. Looking past that veneer, however, is a Synthwave/Retrowave soundtrack and eclectic and edgy 1980s-meets-postmodern art style that I've never seen a game capture as well as Neon Drive. The music is indeed exceptional, and the visuals are indeed stunning.
Where the game falls apart, however, is not even in its' length (only 8 songs with 3 difficulties, but still more providing more mileage than you might expect compared to games with the usual Rock Band-sized playlists), but in its' accessibility. In this regard, the major issue can be summed up in one word: checkpoints. While many hardcore rhythm game players have taken issue with the game's higher difficulties being perhaps too easy in comparison to games like Audiosurf, the base normal difficulty may not be the most difficult thing in the world, but you are only allowed one mistake on said difficulty, and there are only two or three checkpoints littered throughout a song. While this would seem forgiving, it's important to note that this means that even at the lowest levels of play, Neon Drive is a game that expects 100% accuracy not as an achievement, but as the minimum passing standard. So in this way, Neon Drive kind of comes off as a game that's too casual for hardcores, yet too hardcore for casuals.
Barring that, however, I would say it could have absolutely broken into my top 5 rhythm games of all time due to its' presentation alone. The fact that the gameplay is addictive in true Audiosurf form is only the icing on the cake. If the developers were a little more intuitive with the adjustment of lower and higher difficulties, I'd say it's a perfect rhythm game for one so short. But this is an issue of balancing that's worth noting, even if only in passing. But if you're somebody who enjoys the occasional challenge of rhythm games without feeling like you have to play with the stress of trying to be the greatest rhythm gamer of all time, then Neon Drive is probably just right for you.… Expand
