Neon White, the latest title from indie publisher Annapurna Interactive and developer Ben Esposito, features a distinct gameplay style that centers on hack-and-slash combat and speed-running. The titular character, White, must clear out the demons that have infiltrated Heaven as quickly as possible if he wants to stay in paradise and avoid eternal punishment in Hell.
Each level in Neon White works like a puzzle that challenges players to solve its increasingly difficult layout in as little time as possible. The path through many of these levels is clearly marked, but figuring out the fastest route to the goal can be somewhat challenging without some helpful tips.
9 Run On Water
Many of Neon White's levels are based around water, whether that takes the form of large bodies or canals that channel the liquid in a particular direction. But what might be surprising is that White actually gets a boost of speed whenever he's running on water, which can shave precious seconds off a particular run.
There are many instances where players will have the chance to run on water, and it's a good idea to seek out those chances whenever possible. Grabbing a few extra moments of run time will often mean the difference between earning a gold medal and an Ace medal.
8 Get Creative With Soul Cards
The Soul Cards each have a dual function as both a gun and navigational ability. Some, like the Elevate card, can be fired as a single shot pistol for low damage against demons or discarded to grant White a second jump while in midair. These abilities are crucial to getting through a level, but players looking to get the fastest times will want to use their Soul Cards as creatively as possible.
The direct path through a level is almost never the fastest route, and sharp-eyed players may find quicker, albeit harder, avenues to take. Using each Soul Card's discard ability creatively can open up previously inaccessible pathways, resulting in even faster completion times.
7 Line Up Your Shots
One of the most challenging aspects of each level in Neon White is clearing out every demon in the level before reaching the goal. This can often trip up a great run, as one missed demon will essentially negate any speed boosts players might have found.
This is why it's incredibly important for players to line their shots up carefully, even if it takes a little extra time to do so. Taking out an enemy the first time through is always preferable to missing and gliding right past them, as the time it takes to double back will almost always be longer than the time it took to aim properly.
6 Take A Slow Run
It might seem antithetical to take a slow run through a level when trying to speed run, but taking the time to learn each level's layout is integral to finding the fastest path. It's tempting to just follow the prescribed path and try to nail each shot and movement ability as fluidly and quickly as possible, but it's hard to get a sense of the whole area when rushing through it.
A slow run with some exploration will often reveal new paths and secrets players might have missed on their first few attempts. While the game itself offers hints for potential shortcuts that might shave off a few more seconds, players might just discover an even faster route of their own with a little preparation.
5 Don't Stop Moving
One of the key ways to nail a good speed run is to always stay in motion. Neon White is based around this forward momentum, and slowing down for even a moment can throw off the entire run. Many levels are designed around this concept, and the right Soul Cards are laid out to accommodate a constant forward motion.
It will likely take a few tries to master the rhythm of each level, but once the muscle memory kicks in, players will want to maintain their progress to reach the goal as fast as possible. Neon White's gameplay is so fine-tuned that it easily stands as one of the best third-party games for the Nintendo Switch.
4 Use Shortcuts
After reaching a certain medal rank in a given level, players will unlock level hints that provide a shortcut indicator at certain points throughout the level. These are incredibly useful tips for achieving a fast run, as they often reveal pathways that allow players to circumvent whole sections of the level.
The hints show up as little orange hands with an eye in the palm, and players will have to jump into them to activate the actual hint. The hand will then disappear to be replaced by a glowing ball of light that will go down the path of the shortcut, leaving a glittering trail behind that players can easily follow.
3 Don't Use Cards Unnecessarily
The Soul Cards are arguably the coolest gameplay aspect of Neon White, and they're crucial for completing every level as speedily as possible. Each card has a unique weapon functions and ability tied to it that allow White to navigate the various domains of Heaven with relative ease. But these cards aren't infinite, and using them the right way is key to scoring high on the leaderboards.
Each card's weapon has a limited amount of ammo, and when that's all used up, the card vanishes. If the discard ability is used, the card disappears immediately, which forces White to rely on slashing at enemies with just his katana or leaves him stranded entirely. Players should think carefully before using their Soul Cards, as using them unnecessarily can slow White down and even ruin a run entirely.
2 Know Your Weapons
Each Soul Card's associated weapon fires a little differently from the others, and it's useful to know how each gun fires to be better prepared for the challenges ahead. Some guns, like Stomp, have a rapid-fire function not unlike a submachine gun. Others, like Godspeed, fire single shots that pack a little harder of a hit.
It's also important to remember that White can only hold two different types of Soul Card at a time, and that picking a new type will replace one of the existing cards. Paying attention to what's in White's hand is crucial as well, as firing the wrong gun at the wrong time costs both ammo and time.
1 Time Your Jumps
Jumping is a key mechanic in Neon White, as there are many gaps White will need to cross in order to reach the end of every level. Jumping is also useful when paired with Soul Card abilities like Purify or when using explosive barrels to launch White high into the air.
The tricky part about mastering the jump, though, is that White is a very floaty assassin who tends to hang out in midair, falling slowly back down to the ground. It can be a little frustrating to gently float forward when trying to get a fast time in a level, so timing each jump is key to minimizing air time.
Neon White is available now on Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam.