Neon White
To label Neon White any one genre is reductive. It’s partially a first-person shooter, yes, but it’s also a visual novel, and a dating sim (kinda), and a speedrunning platformer (way more than kinda). You play as a so-called Neon—a dead assassin, summoned from hell to purge heaven of demons—named White. You’re tasked with running through bite-sized levels that last anywhere from 30 seconds to two minutes. There’s a “fastest” route through each stage, and you can compare your times against friends and the wider world. Play attentively, though, and you’ll find a hidden secret solution on each level which can slash your time. In the process of the hunt, you slowly realize the one thing Neon White may be most in line with: a puzzle game—and arguably the best one of the year.
Playable On: Switch, PC
Rough Average Playtime: 18 hours
