It is just over a year since I shared my Early Access impressions of Neon Abyss 2, and after diving back in for another look this week, I’m pleased to report that Vewoo has just shipped a very good action roguelite that more than lives up to the legacy of the original.
What is Neon Abyss 2?
Much like the first game, Neon Abyss 2 is a pixel-art action-platform game, but unlike its predecessor, this sequel has been built with co-op firmly in mind (for up to four players, I should add).
Kieran and I ended up playing quite a lot of multiplayer last year, and we had a cracking time with it, so in that sense, the move to co-op was definitely worth the pain of starting from scratch. I say that because in many respects, Neon Abyss 2 is more of an evolutionary upgrade than a revolutionary sequel.
Whether played alone or with friends, Neon Abyss 2 has you fighting through proc-gen dungeons that are stuffed full of pixelated enemies of all shapes and sizes. The exploration reminded me a little of games such as Fury Unleashed and even Star of Providence (both feature in my guide to roguelike platformers). As for the combat, it’s still punchy and immediate.
Gods and guns
Combat and platforming are core to Neon Abyss 2, but so are the boss fights. These aren’t the toughest big bads you’ll ever take on, but there are loads of them to beat throughout the game, and there is some real creativity on show across their various designs and attack patterns.
Much like the rest of the game, these boss battles are a constant blend of pixel-art design and cybernetically-infused Greek myth (inspired by the TV show American Gods, apparently).
To be honest, I’m not really sure how it works this well, but it really does come together nicely. Like the first game, it has a winning aesthetic that helps it genuinely stand out from the pack, and this time Vewoo has worked to improve things for the sequel.
The other thing I’d like to mention in this launch day missive is the arsenal of weapons in Neon Abyss 2. Simply put: it’s excellent, and maybe the most fun I’ve had with a collection of weapons since Saints Row 3/4.
I love the different guns in this game, and there are some genuine treats in there, just waiting to be discovered as you explore. For example, in my last run, I had a cat-gun called Jimmy that fired fishbones. Not only is that a batshit idea for a gun, but it was a significant upgrade for whatever I was carrying at the time, and so I had a grand time turning my enemies into fishsticks over the course of the rest of that run.
What’s in Neon Abyss 2 at launch?
If, like me, you’ve already dumped a bunch of time into Neon Abyss 2, you’ll be wondering what is new in the 1.0 update that dropped today. The highlight, I think, is a co-op-focused one, and that’s the new Storm Breach game mode. This streamlined way to play is intended to get you into the action sooner, as you skip the exploration and head straight into battle.
There’s also a new boss in the 1.0 version of the game: Titan Theia (pictured above). Described as the Titan Group’s Chief Brand Officer, she will dazzle you with her vanity (and a lot of mirrors). She’s yet another multi-stage boss to learn, and I look forward to finally meeting her!
Elsewhere, the updates made by Vewoo Games are mostly minor big fixes and quality-of-life changes. That said, the progression systems have also been tweaked, with new Steam Achievements, and the devs have re-ordered the evolution unlocks to give newcomers an easier early-game experience.
Of course, the biggest bit of news is the release of Neon Abyss 2 on consoles. After a successful stint of just over a year in Early Access, the neon-infused co-op roguelite platformer has left behind the shackles of PC (Win) and is now also available on PlayStation 5, Switch, and Xbox Series X|S, where it’s also included in Game Pass (PC, Premium and Ultimate).
