Neon Blood spills onto PC and consoles

• Announcements by Jack Allin
• Published:

Neo-noir adventure-RPG hybrid available now digitally worldwide and in physical format for PS5 and Switch in Europe

Lots of games are referred to "revolutionary" and really aren't, but newly released adventure-RPG hybrid Neon Blood, by the two-person Spanish team at ChaoticBrain Studios, really IS revolutionary – although not in the way you might expect, dropping players right smack dab into the middle of a futuristic rebellion. 

It's 2053, and the last remnants of humanity from the Third World War are now consolidated in Viridis, a metropolis split into two distinct cities: the "the luxurious Bright City and the dystopian Blind City." Axel McCoin is an "idealistic detective" from Blind City who becomes "motivated by his ideals to rebel against the injustices caused by the social separation between the two cities and the social inequalities that exist in society in general." In doing so, he becomes a wanted fugitive to the authorities in Bright City and a "symbol of a revolution" to the poor and oppressed. In his attempt to "start a revolution to change the world," Axel must explore both cities, where he will meet "powerful allies who will help him in his purpose, as well as enemies who will stand in his way, such as Ruby Emerald, who will do everything possible to make Axel's plans fail."

With all due respect to Dickens, Neon Blood is very much a tale of two cities, as well as two different types of gameplay. While the entire game features a distinctive blend of 2D pixel art character sprites operating in modeled 3D environments, the aesthetics of both cities reflect their drastically different circumstances, with the "futuristic sc-fi cityscape of Bright City and dark, gritty cyberpunk-inspired Blind City." Gameplay, meanwhile, blends traditional puzzle solving and investigative-styled adventuring with classic RPG-styled combat. Everywhere you go, from the neon lights of Hunter Heaven to the "labyrinthine subway tunnels," there is a diverse variety of characters to interact with. Using a "complex dialogue system," forming relationships will be crucial to "reveal the dark secrets of Viridis and set in motion a revolution that could destroy the foundations of society." You can't (or may not want to) always talk your way out of trouble, however, so at times you'll draw your gun and engage in combat, either alone or with any allies you've acquired along the way. Very little dexterity is required, as you can "attack, use skills and even objects before unleashing a powerful final attack" in familiar turn-based format, though certain "boss" fights will involve some Quick Time Events. 

If you think you have what it takes to lead an uprising, then "Viva la revolución!" as Neon Blood is available now digitally for Windows PC on Steam, GOG and Epic, along with console versions for PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch. The game is also available in physical format in Europe for PS5 and Switch.

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