Neon White is a single-player speedrunning FPS where you can sacrifice your guns for godlike parkour moves.
The game effortlessly combines fast-paced first-person shooter mechanics with parkour and platforming elements. Players wield "Soul Cards" that double as both weapons and unique movement abilities, such as dashes and extra jumps. This strategic card system rewards players for carefully evaluating each level and planning the optimal sequence of actions. While the basic controls are simple, mastering the intricacies of this system creates a gratifying sense of flow and allows for impressive speedrunning feats.
At the heart of the gameplay lies an emphasis on replayability and competition. Completing levels as quickly as possible is the primary objective, with the game issuing faster medals and higher rankings the more players improve their times. Global leaderboards foster a sense of friendly rivalry, as players constantly strive to outpace their friends and the broader community.
Notably, the gameplay seamlessly integrates with the narrative elements. Between levels, players can engage with the game's cast of characters and their personal stories through optional dialogue sequences. However, for those solely interested in the speedrunning action, a fast-forward feature allows them to bypass the story entirely.
Players universally praise the responsive and precise controls, which feel "like riding a bike" once the movement mechanics are fully internalized.
The game's difficulty curve is well-designed, starting players off with a gentle introduction to the core systems before gradually ramping up the complexity and challenge. This structure ensures that the increasing demands for precision and optimization are met with a deep sense of accomplishment as players overcome each new obstacle.