Neo Cab

 Switch
Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. The Indie Game Website
    Oct 2, 2019
    90
    Neo Cab is poignant, well-timed, and special. A perfect fit for on-the-go platforms like Switch and Apple Arcade, Neo Cab would still be great anywhere regardless of platform because it delivers on all fronts for adventure gaming fans. With a memorable story that’s full of realistic choices and nuanced writing, Neo Cab is one of the best indies of 2019.
  2. RPG Fan
    Oct 3, 2019
    86
    Neo Cab is a short but altogether engrossing and clever game that offers players a lot of replayability. Lina's journey in Los Ojos was ultimately very fulfilling once I reached one of the game's better endings, and I regretted none of my time behind the virtual wheel. Those who crave an original cyberpunk setting might find this creative, independent title worth playing.
  3. GameCritics
    Nov 1, 2019
    85
    Bugs aside, Neo Cab stands tall as a thoughtful and genuinely affecting piece of sci-fi fiction, and one of the better attempts at dialogue I’ve seen in my long career playing games. Hopping into Lina’s cab and touring Los Ojos is a ride I would be happy to take again.
  5. Cubed3
    Nov 11, 2019
    80
    It's completely understandable why Neo Cab wouldn't be for everyone. A completely unique experience of this kind could alienate, and make it difficult to justify taking a punt without an in-depth examination of what to expect. Take the chance however, and an immersive, fascinating commentary on the evils of technology interspersed with a murder-mystery novel, are delivered. If excellent pacing and a character driven narrative are the major plus points when handing over the cash, sit back, strap in, and enjoy the journey. With the multiple endings on offer, and only a few hours needed to go from start to finish, the Switch feels like the perfect place to meet new people, embroil yourself in their lives, and appreciate the highs and lows of cyberpunk couriering.
  6. Nintendo Life
    Oct 15, 2019
    80
    Aside from performing your day (night?) job to the best of your abilities, the game also has an overarching plot involving Lina’s best friend Savy, and her mysterious disappearance. This dark shift in tone almost feels at odds with the nature of the gameplay, and whilst that plotline is visited periodically throughout the game, we never felt that much urgency in resolving her disappearance. We were far more content with simply meeting and conversing with the wonderfully endearing inhabitants of Los Ojos.
  7. GameSpew
    Oct 3, 2019
    80
    Neo Cab is a captivating story-driven game that gives a glimpse at what a world practically run by robots might look like. With a wonderful art style, a fascinating setting and a story that’ll instantly grab you, it’s well worth taking a ride with.
  8. NintendoWorldReport
    Oct 2, 2019
    80
    The setting of Los Ojos feels alive, and its denizens are a delightful cocktail of awkward, savvy, charming, and repellent. While a playthrough can take around 3-4 hours, it’s worth returning to the world to meet different people and see how your decisions impact the overall narrative. What’s more, the dark and gritty aesthetic works well in a game that portends a potentially frightening future. At the end of a long shift, Neo Cab’s strong writing and effective story-telling make it well-worth hailing.
  9. Game Informer
    Oct 2, 2019
    80
    Neo Cab poses a lot of questions, crossing something familiar with a plausible futuristic backdrop. Chance Agency crafts an intriguing world where people all have their own ideas about technology and how much it should be a part of our everyday lives. Neo Cab has the fun of being a driver, meeting new people, and trying to hustle for cash and get that coveted star-rating. But it also offers a much deeper experience – one that makes you look inward. That’s especially why it’s worth the trip.
  10. GamingTrend
    Oct 7, 2019
    75
    Lina's week-long adventure is a brief but intense adventure in technology, human nature, and all the ways those two can intersect. Where it lacks in length, it makes up for with compelling deeper stories about people.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 24 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 24
  3. Negative: 6 out of 24
  1. Keithustus
    Oct 3, 2019
    7
    Is otherwise great, but the dialogue freezes permanently a lot and I have to reload an old save and try a different path. Hopefully they workIs otherwise great, but the dialogue freezes permanently a lot and I have to reload an old save and try a different path. Hopefully they work out these bugs so it can realize its full potential, since I have really enjoyed the first several game-nights’ content.… Full Review »
  2. shoebill
    Apr 6, 2021
    8
    This visual novel is wonderful! I had to stop and think of reasons it wasn't a 10/10. It didn't feel like a 10/10 game - I'm notThis visual novel is wonderful! I had to stop and think of reasons it wasn't a 10/10. It didn't feel like a 10/10 game - I'm not artificially knocking it down! - but it wasn't immediately obvious to me what held it back.

    The game is about Lina, a cab driver in a future Los Angeles (er, "Ojos"), who moves to the city to live with a friend who immediately disappears. She then drives around the city, picking up passengers and learning about the current political/social environment. There isn't any gameplay besides selecting dialogue options, but there are a lot of those options and the game never feels slow. There's also a clever "mood" mechanic that limits your choices depending on how Lina is feeling; as a player, I needed to be strategic about which passengers ("pax") to pick up if I thought they might tick Lina off.

    The characterization and writing are excellent, and the pacing is very strong as well. There are sci-fi elements, social analyses, and good old traditional interpersonal conflicts. The nature of the game means you can lean more into the themes that interest you by picking up those passengers again. I found all of them interesting and well done, but I could see where other players might have found it heavy-handed. I thought most sides of any debate or character motives were shown well. Except for the villain. You love to hate the villain. They're awful and I absolutely know them in real life, too.

    I did experience a few bugs, but nothing that affected my enjoyment of the game. The biggest gripe I have is that there is a ton of replayability to pick up different pax, but the frame story of Lina's missing friend kept interrupting me as I tried to explore other pax stories. It slows down the content. I also didn't love the animation style, as something felt a bit disjointed about how the characters moved, but that's really getting into nits.

    HIghly recommend this game, especially if on sale. I was very lucky to pick it up for $4 on sale and have gotten 8-10 hours out of it. It'll definitely be a replay in a few years when I can't remember much!    … Full Review »
  3. Reed_Reviews
    Apr 5, 2021
    8
    Neo Cab offers a character-driven narrative built upon change, disillusionment, and human connection.

    Being a visual novel, its gameplay    Neo Cab offers a character-driven narrative built upon change, disillusionment, and human connection.

    Being a visual novel, its gameplay takes the backseat - pun intended. The game instead emphasizes a cast of varied and creatively drawn characters to unravel its story. Impressively, Neo Cab organically introduces these characters through its main concept; because you are a cab driver in the future, you meet many people each day for your work. This is a seamless and believable method to introduce characters while also getting a behind-the-scenes look at an interesting occupation.

    There are also a few branching story and dialogue options. No, the game does not feature thousands of possible endings like Detroit: Become Human. It does, however, offer slight dialogue options to help the player express their approach to situations. These dialogue options differ in terms of emotion, which is a central part of the narrative and gameplay. These little dialogue options help inform client outcomes and some story outcomes. The player also chooses which clients to shuttle, which informs which characters can help progress the story. Clients with whom the player forms a relationship reappear and offer narrative guidance. As a result, the player is rewarded by making meaningful relationships with the game's characters.

    Neo Cab features some light resource management to help diversify gameplay and prevent the story from droning on endlessly. The player must decide which "gas station" to visit depending on his/her current fuel level, the gas station prices, and the location of possible clients.

    The game's pitfalls largely revolve around its brevity and limited gameplay. Neo Cab takes less than 5 hours to complete, and while you can replay the game to see different story events and outcomes, the player will likely want to take a break before doing so. And being a visual novel, gameplay is inherently limited. But I greatly I prefer limited gameplay over half-hearted gameplay, so I am glad that developers did not try to include mindless and needless fetch quests to pad playtime. Ultimately, you'll play the game for its story and characters, not its gameplay.    … Full Review »
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