Neon Inferno Review

Platform: Nintendo Switch, Xbox, PlayStationMicrosoft Windows

Developer: Zenovia Interactive

Publisher: Retroware

Genre: Action game

“Review Copy Provided By Retroware”

If you dig retro-style run-and-gun shooters but want something fresh, Neon Inferno might just hit you with nostalgia and new-school fire. It takes 2D pixel-art action, drenches it in neon cyberpunk vibes, throws in some wild foreground/background gunplay, and delivers a chaotic, adrenaline-fuelled ride — all while feeling way more stylish than the usual suspects.

Visuals that slap — The pixel art is gorgeous, but what really sets it apart are the lighting and post-processing effects. Shadows, neon glows, detailed backgrounds — everything feels alive, fluid, and polished enough to rival modern 2D shooters.

Old-school run-and-gun meets gallery shooter — On the surface, it plays like a classic side-scroll shooter (think old-school Contra/Metal-Slug vibes). But then they mix in background-plane shooting: enemies don’t always come from the same flat 2D plane — some shoot from the backdrop, forcing you to constantly split your attention. It flips the script in a fun way.

Parry/deflect mechanic — yes, in a shooter — One of the cooler touches: you can deflect certain enemy shots (specifically green projectiles), and even redirect them back at foes. Timing & visual-cue recognition matter. It adds depth and gives the game a risk-versus-reward layer without feeling unfairly brutal.

Fast-paced chaos, but fair challenge — Neon Inferno doesn’t hold your hand, but it doesn’t punish you with unfair difficulty either. Levels and boss fights hit hard, but deaths don’t feel cheap. It leans into that arcade-era grit, and it nails the balance between satisfying challenge and fun chaos.

Background shooting can get hectic and confusing — With enemies coming at you from multiple layers, the screen gets busy fast. Sometimes it's hard to keep track of everything — which is part of the design, but can feel wild even for experienced players.

Resource economy is tight — weapons & upgrades are pricey — The game gives you a base pistol with infinite ammo (fine), but upgraded weapons or special guns cost big cash. For many runs, you might end up sticking with the starting gun.

Story isn’t the highlight — This is a gameplay-first title. The narrative exists (you’re a mob-linked hitman in a dystopian 2055 NYC, picking off faction targets), but most of the draw is in the shootouts, the mechanics, and the set pieces — not deep storytelling.

Replay and difficulty loop is a mixed bag — The core campaign isn’t super long; to get the most out of it (weapons, challenge, etc.) you’ll likely need to replay levels. That’s great for fans of repeated runs, but not ideal if you prefer a one-and-done experience.

If you grew up on the run-and-gun arcade shooters or have that retro-gamer fire, Neon Inferno is a must-try — especially if you’re down for some gritty, neon-soaked 2D action that doesn’t compromise on polish or mechanics. It’s wild, it’s hectic, but it’s a blast.

If you expect deep story or super long campaigns — maybe tune expectations. But if you want bullet-dodging, plane-switching chaos with great pixel art and satisfying gunplay? Neon Inferno is worth your time.

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