As much as I’ve enjoyed 10tons previous titles, they were never ones for full mainstream appeal. Games like Baseball Riot and Tennis in the Face were seen as mobile-console rip-offs by sites like Giant Bomb, and their shining star Crimsonland, was scoffed at for being aged on web series like Funhaus’s Demo Disk.

Yet, maybe they’ve taken this rather constructive criticism to heart. Their arguably most ambitious project in over twelve years, Neon Chrome isn’t something you would see in a lousy Facebook pop-up. It’s a cyberpunk inspired shooter that combines elements of indie games like L.A. Cops and Hotline Miami.

But does it work?

Gameplay:

Levels are designed maze-like, increasing some gameplay opportunites

While Neon Chrome contains aspects of previous 10tons games such as Crimsonland’s weapon purchase system, it’s more of the game itself that sets a bigger impact from the rest. Why? This time, they’ve done a roguelike.

Yes. A roguelike.

The same studio that brought you such placid franchises as King Oddball and Sparkle made a roguelike? You might be saying to yourself, however, you shouldn’t write Neon Chrome off exactly. It’s complexions, instead of simplicity is why it’s so strong.

Story/ Design:

There can be a lot going on at once, but thats purposefully the beauty of it.

While Neon Chrome’s story is second to null, it’s true heart rests in the innovative, yet flawed gameplay. There’s a lot of different gameplay paths to create in the environments themselves, but the other side of this doesn’t completely stick the landing. Most of the game is entirely repetitious, with minute tasks only serving to sever this notion. But not all is lost. Neon Chrome has some fantastic character selections, until you’ll die yet again.

It’s all part of the plan really.

Presentation/ Visuals & Audio:

Talk about a loading screen that promises something else

Neon Chrome has a lot of atmosphere at it’s disposal, yet I felt all of this wasn’t entirely present. The soundtrack and of course neon setting are key components in doing the opposite, but bland enemies and bosses don’t do full justice the other way around. Thankfully, the visual destruction is what can make the game so intriguing when it starts to feel stale.

Conclusion:

Neon Chrome is a game I’ll remember not for it’s rapid fire mechanics or plentiful enjoyment, but rather for it’s interesting deviation from a studio that had started to seem so tired. I guess this is what happens when you flesh an idea out for a near infinite time, and while it may have some grievances, I’d still like to see more of this.

Neon Chrome gets a 7/10 (Average)

We’d like to thank 10tons for sending us a code!

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