Neon Abyss 2 Preview

Prepare to jump into the chaotic, high-energy, pixelated world of Neon Abyss 2. Developer Veewo Games is back with this cybermyth roguelike sequel. With an expanded collection of weapons and items to pick up, along with the ability to play multiplayer, this new and improved title feels like an enhanced version of the original game. If you have played the first Neon Abyss and enjoyed it, you will surely love this sequel!

The Neon Abyss series are run ‘n’ gun roguelike titles. The first game was a twin-stick shooter, but in Neon Abyss 2, you select your own control scheme between Casual Single Joystick (attacking is done with a button) or the original Precision Dual Joystick, where attacks are performed by using the right thumbstick. Both styles work well, so it will be your preference, just like your combat style. Do you like melee attacks where you are smashing the enemy with a bat or slicing with a blade, or would you want to keep your distance and use a gun? There are a huge number of weapons and other options to use, like commanding a dragon to attack them.

You begin the game at the bar, just like in the first game. Here, you can change your difficulty between easy, normal, and hard, depending on how much experience you have with titles like this. You can also switch your agent: this is the character that you are playing as. You start off as Nik; in the demo, this is the only fighter currently available, but you can see profiles for other agents like Elise, Xuan, Saya, James, and Lucia. There are also four mystery characters represented by question marks.

The game begins in a club, which is pretty obvious since we have a bar and a dance floor with bass-pumping music; this game is very high-energy! You also have the option to dance if you would like; you don’t get anything for doing it, but it’s still fun to see your little sprite bouncing away. Once you've finished, it's time to plunge into the unknown and begin.

Nik is equipped with his gun called the Windcaller; the more coins you collect, the stronger it gets, and after a few attacks, it will fire a laser. Chances are, you won’t have this weapon for long, as you will find other stronger ones to equip. My first run gave me the option to pick up one of two soul-forged weapons: one called the Eclipse that looks like the wand Sailor Moon uses, or a Tsuru, which unleashes blade waves the longer you hold it; the further the wave will travel.

When you destroy boxes, defeat enemies, or open treasure chests, you may get items like coins, grenades, crystals, and keys. Some of the doors you encounter on your run may require you to spend some of these items to open them. You can choose to exchange your coins with a merchant to purchase the items you might be lacking. Or you can take your chances with the vending machine if you find it. It costs 10 coins to get a random item, so if you feel lucky, you can spend your money here.

You can view a map of the whole area; as you explore each room, the map will update with it showing a logo of what you found there, whether it be a chest or something like a door that requires coins or crystals to open. This makes it very easy to return to a spot where you didn’t have the required item the first time once you have acquired what you need. There is a boss for each of the areas that you visit. When you enter the room, you are locked in and will have to defeat them before you can leave. Once you are victorious, you will be taken to the next area.

I am having such an amazing time playing Neon Abyss 2; I can’t wait until the full game releases so I can check out the multiplayer mode and try playing with all the different agents. It’s so upbeat, transforming your room into a dance club, and is exciting to play; it is incredibly addictive. If you have played the original Neon Abyss, or if you are a fan of run ‘n’ gun roguelike titles, Neon Abyss 2 is a game that should be on your watchlist!