Info about Neon Abyss - Lovable Rogues Pack:

Official game description:
Add two new colorful rogues to your roster of characters, each with a unique ability to help you tackle the Abyss and bring the New Gods to their knees!  
**Saya**  
An experiment conducted by Titan Corp, Saya will bring a katana to the fight, slaying enemies in close combat with powerful sword strikes.  
**Amir**  
Another member who was subject to nefarious experiments by Titan Corp. Amir can preview the description of items without picking them up.

Release date: Jul 22, 2020

Categories: Roguelike, Dungeon Crawler, 2D Platformer, Twin-stick Shooter, Character Collection, Melee Combat, Local Co-op

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 18; verdict: Fair / Traditional DLC Only; summary: The reviews focus on paid character DLC, especially the Alter DLC and Saya, with mild preference for free DLC. However, reviewers explicitly state that the DLC characters are not pay-to-win and mention other available characters. There is no direct evidence of real-money gacha, loot boxes, currency obfuscation, battle passes, paid convenience, or an in-game cash shop. The monetization appears limited to traditional paid DLC.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $1.99 - $4.99
  - Reasoning: The reviews judge the two characters as worth buying and explicitly accept a discounted price of just over 7 RMB (roughly 1 USD). They also describe the purchase as not expensive, but they do not mention a full base-game price. This supports a fair base-game range in the low single-digit USD, centered around a few dollars rather than a premium price.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: N/A
  - Story completion: N/A
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The reviews mention finishing the game, reaching floor 5, and beating Athena, but these are progression milestones rather than hour counts. The phrase 'many hours' is generic and does not provide a concrete playtime value. No review reports numeric completion time, story length, session duration, or endgame hours, so all playtime metrics are null.
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes:
  - Pixel Dungeon Content Seeker (buy)
    - Motivation: To extend post-clear dungeon content and keep playing through DLC and build variety.
    - Playstyle: Clears dungeon runs, experiments with melee builds, and seeks more item and attribute options.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Mobility-Focused DLC Newcomer (buy)
    - Motivation: To enjoy Saya's mobility and discover how items work with Amir.
    - Playstyle: Uses dash-heavy movement and experiments with DLC character and item interactions.
    - Experience: newcomer
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: newbie
    - Reference games: N/A


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Saya katana boosts mobility (weight 0.55): Saya's katana upward slash acts as an extra jump, allowing players to reach higher places and items early game. This mobility is often compared to a double jump and is a key reason players enjoy her.
- Saya extremely fun to play (weight 0.49): Many players find Saya really fun to play, often citing her mobility and melee combat. She is described as the most enjoyable character among those played so far.
- Saya cute and handsome design (weight 0.37): Reviewers describe Saya as cute and very handsome, and she looks better than other characters. The anime girl character is extremely good, and her cyberpunk style with neon hair and JK uniform is loved.
- Game worth buying affordable (weight 0.34): The game is absolutely worth buying and very affordable, with a reasonable price for what you get. The base game is brilliant and the quality is not a low-quality knockoff.
- DLC adds replayability and content (weight 0.33): The DLC adds enough content to feel like playing two games, increasing replayability and keeping players engaged. Unlocking all characters is motivating, and local co-op is fun.
- Multiple playstyles available (weight 0.33): The game offers multiple playstyles such as gun build, melee build, and pet build. Players can use one melee and one ranged option, and melee combat mainly relies on timing while ranged is easy for anyone.
- Game variety and adjustable difficulty (weight 0.33): The game offers a lot of variety and freely adjustable difficulty so challenge does not exceed fun. Defeating bosses yields energy points to unlock more weapons and rooms, reducing repetition through meta progression.
- DLC characters fun unique abilities (weight 0.31): The new DLC characters have unique abilities that are fun to play around with. Their mechanics are interesting and add variety to the game.
- Amir shield stacking strength (weight 0.28): Amir becomes very strong when players accumulate many shields. This synergy makes him a powerful choice for sustained combat.
- Saya katana overpowered early (weight 0.28): Saya's katana is completely overpowered in the early game if the player lacks flying from artifacts or weapon actives. It provides strong movement options and tech, making the game easy even for low-skill players.
- Amir item preview advantage (weight 0.27): Amir's greatest advantage is the ability to preview items, which helps players make informed decisions. This utility is highly valued by reviewers.
- Amir more durable than R-6 (weight 0.27): Amir can use heart containers while R-6 cannot, making him essentially a more survivable version of R-6. This durability advantage is notable for players seeking resilience.
- Melee combat high damage (weight 0.27): Melee damage is absurdly high, with a single slash covering a screen width. This makes melee builds very effective, even against bosses like Prometheus.
- DLC characters better than starters (weight 0.26): The two DLC characters are considered better than the two starting characters. They offer unique abilities and a comfortable advantage without being pay-to-win.
- Amir HP and flight ability (weight 0.25): Amir has high HP and can fly after HP reaches 0, making him a durable and useful character. This ability adds to his survivability and utility.
- Saya effective against bosses (weight 0.11): Saya is effective against most bosses except very tough late-game ones. Her melee combat and mobility make her a strong choice for boss fights.
- Saya's katana dash movement (weight 0.11): Saya's sword changes movement by allowing a dash, which adds to her mobility. This dash is a key part of her kit and is useful for both combat and exploration.
- Katana effects look good (weight 0.1): The katana effects look very good, adding to the visual appeal of using Saya. This contributes to the overall enjoyment of her character.

Common complaints:
- Melee combat too risky (weight 0.87): Players report that using Saya's katana past floor 5 is too dangerous, as they often get hurt and the melee bonuses do not apply to the katana, making pure melee builds non-viable. The katana's only advantage is climbing to high places.
- Amir is item-dependent (weight 0.77): Reviewers find Amir awkward and not interesting because his effectiveness relies heavily on specific items, such as the blue Cosmic Matrix, whose appearance timing is unpredictable. His perk that applies to all characters is seen as silly when new.
- DLC monetization criticized (weight 0.48): Players express frustration that paid DLC characters like Saya and Amir are not included in the base game despite its price, and that the DLC lacks incentives beyond aesthetics. Some feel the DLC is a cash grab.
- Game-breaking bugs (weight 0.43): Players encounter severe bugs: after obtaining the Sacred Flame Heart and dying in the floor 6 challenge room, re-entering and killing all enemies leaves the door unopened with no exit, forcing a restart and loss of progress. Another bug causes the player to respawn at the crystal and become stuck, unable to move.
- Saya's art inconsistent (weight 0.39): Several reviewers complain that Saya's in-game portrait and character model are ugly or poorly drawn compared to the illustration. The PC version's character art is also considered worse than the mobile version's.
- Weak gun and item variety (weight 0.35): Reviewers feel many guns are weak, even with increased attributes they may be worse than starter weapons. Gun and bullet changes from item stacking are weak, only adding more bullets or changing attributes, and passive/active skills do not synergize well with items.
- DLC ownership and refund issues (weight 0.27): Reviewers report problems with DLC purchases: the Defector character pack bought on PC is not available on PE and must be repurchased, two purchased DLCs cannot be used, and refunding the bundle only refunded the base game.
- Free giveaway after purchase (weight 0.26): Multiple reviewers are upset that the game was given away for free shortly after they purchased it or wishlisted it.
- Useless pets and items (weight 0.19): Pets are considered useless and in need of major changes, and the dead cat is not a dual-blade design but purely for annoyance.
- Limited shop variety (weight 0.18): Shop item variety is lacking and the shop owner lacks interaction mechanics.
- Character selection issues (weight 0.18): The character selection screen appearance is far from the illustration, and the player does not know how to switch characters in the DLC.
- Confusing flight effects (weight 0.16): Three different flight effects (pegasus wings, demon wings, divinity) all produce the same flight effect, and the reviewer picked up all three identical effects in a single run.
- Wade only viable choice (weight 0.12): Wade is the only viable character choice; other characters are not worth picking.
- Excessive grinding for upgrades (weight 0.11): Upgrades require too many fragments, making grinding feel tiring and discouraging players.
- Self-damage from explosions (weight 0.11): The player frequently dies from their own explosions instead of being killed by enemies.
- Post-completion plateau (weight 0.1): After fully completing the game, there is a plateau period that can discourage some players.
- Gun stats not visible (weight 0.1): Gun attack and character attack/defense cannot be checked in time.
- Flashy bullets obscure enemy fire (weight 0.1): Bullets are too flashy, making it hard to see how enemies fire projectiles.
- Katana animation copied (weight 0.1): The katana slashing animation is strongly reminiscent of Katana Zero and appears copied.
- Thorny enemies enrage (weight 0.1): There are many thorny enemies that enrage on death, adding difficulty.

Gameplay feedback:
- Saya uses katana (weight 0.77): Saya wields a katana as her primary weapon, and it can also be swapped or used as a knife.
- Saya's extra jump (weight 0.77): Saya's katana provides an upward slash or strike that gives extra height, effectively acting as a double jump.
- Multiple playable characters (weight 0.72): The game features multiple playable characters with distinct abilities, including Saya and Amir.
- DLC adds Saya and Amir (weight 0.55): The DLC introduces two new playable characters, Saya and Amir, who bring unique mechanics to the game.
- Melee and ranged combat (weight 0.46): Players can use both melee and ranged options, with melee requiring timing and ranged accessible to all.
- 2D roguelike dungeon crawler (weight 0.35): The game is a 2D action roguelike dungeon crawler with floor-based progression and pixel art style.
- Item and buff systems (weight 0.34): The game includes item collection, buff stacking, and upgrades that consume fragments to affect combat effectiveness.
- Flight from items (weight 0.33): Flight can be obtained from artifacts or weapon actives, though item drops are RNG-based and multiple items grant similar flight effects.
- Amir stacks shields (weight 0.27): Amir can accumulate shields and relies on specific items like the blue Cosmic Matrix as his core equipment.
- Boss fights and floors (weight 0.27): The game features boss fights and floor-based levels, including specific challenges like floor 6's challenge room.
- Amir's heart containers (weight 0.26): Amir has a perk that allows him to use heart containers, while other characters cannot.
- Amir's flight mode (weight 0.12): Amir can enter a flight mode after his HP reaches 0, providing a unique survival or mobility option.
- Build diversity (weight 0.12): Players can pursue different build paths such as gun, melee, or pet-focused builds.
- Saya's dash ability (weight 0.11): Saya's sword has a dash ability that changes her movement and can be used tactically.
- Local co-op mode (weight 0.11): The game offers a local co-op mode for multiplayer play.
- DLC character switching (weight 0.11): The DLC allows character switching between Saya and Amir during runs.
- Pets as companions (weight 0.1): Pets serve as companions in combat and contribute to build variety.
- DLC characters auto-unlocked (weight 0.1): The DLC characters are unlocked automatically rather than through progression.
- Wiki for item lookup (weight 0.1): Item effects can be looked up on an external wiki for reference.

Performance notes:
- Game freezes on final level (weight 0.1): Players report the game freezing during the final level, with only the mouse cursor remaining responsive. This blocks completion of the game entirely.

Recommendations:
- DLC is worth buying (weight 0.41): Multiple clusters explicitly state the DLC is worth the purchase, with some saying it is worth it regardless of other factors. This is a strong positive endorsement repeated across reviews.
- Saya makes DLC worthwhile (weight 0.27): Clusters highlight that Saya is fun to play, is the main reason to get the DLC, and her mobility adds value. Buying the DLC for Saya is highly recommended.
- Characters justify purchase (weight 0.12): Both characters are considered worth it, and the DLC is not expensive. This reinforces the value proposition of the character additions.
- DLC suits veteran players (weight 0.11): The DLC is recommended for players with many hours of play, suggesting it caters to experienced users. This indicates a target audience for the content.
- Appeals to pixel art fans (weight 0.11): Fans of pixel art and dungeon crawler modes will find the DLC strongly recommended. This highlights the aesthetic and genre appeal of the expansion.
- Pair Saya with Flame Squad (weight 0.1): One reviewer specifically recommends using Saya alongside the Flame Squad for an optimal experience. This is a gameplay tip for new DLC owners.
- Boosts engagement with game (weight 0.1): Buying the DLC helps maintain engagement, according to one reviewer. This suggests the DLC adds replay value or extends playtime.
- Some see no real need (weight 0.1): One reviewer states that nobody needs this DLC for any real reason, indicating a lack of necessity. This contrasts with the positive recommendations.
- Avoid domestic single-player games (weight 0.07): One reviewer will no longer buy domestic single-player games after this experience, suggesting a negative impact beyond the DLC itself. This is a broad criticism not focused on gameplay details.

Other player notes:
- Paid DLC characters available (weight 0.46): Multiple reviewers note that the game offers paid DLC that adds new characters, with the Defector character pack specifically mentioned.
- Compared to Katana Zero (weight 0.44): Several reviewers compare the game to Katana Zero, mentioning copied slashing animations, similar attack styles, and Saya as a true sequel.
- Supports domestic game development (weight 0.25): Reviewers mention the game is a Chinese domestic title and bought it to support local single-player development, including one who purchased the official version after trying a pirated copy.
- DLC priced affordably (weight 0.19): Reviewers describe the DLC as reasonably priced and not expensive.
- Bundle purchase issues (weight 0.16): The game is sold as a bundle, and one reviewer notes that refunding the bundle only refunded the base game.
- Affordable base game price (weight 0.1): The game is sold at a very affordable price.
- Base game brilliant standalone (weight 0.1): The base game is considered brilliant on its own without DLC.
- Not a low-quality knockoff (weight 0.1): While gameplay cannot be plagiarized, the reviewer finds this game to be of decent quality and not a disgusting knockoff.
- Unfavorable comparison to Isaac (weight 0.1): The reviewer compares it unfavorably to Isaac, saying that game is more fun and has fewer bugs.
- Preference for free DLC (weight 0.1): The reviewer hopes the developer releases more free DLC instead of much more paid DLC.
- Character design details (weight 0.1): The character has cyber neon hair color and wears a JK uniform.
- Hope for more characters (weight 0.1): The reviewer hopes the developer continues expanding the character roster.
- Standout among roguelikes (weight 0.1): With all DLCs, Neon Abyss stands out from Gungeon in an elegant way, though it lacks Gungeon's energy and artistic genius.
- Mobile version better art (weight 0.1): The mobile version has better-looking character art than the PC version.
- DLC obtained with main game (weight 0.09): The DLC was obtained together with the main game.
- DLC considered best (weight 0.09): The DLC is considered the best by a mile.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.15): Technical bugs such as being locked in place after respawning, the game freezing on the final level, and challenge room doors not opening after clearing enemies cause severe frustration. Combat issues like difficult melee, weak guns, and non-stacking damage buffs, combined with poor character balance favoring Wade, further aggravate players. Purchasing DLCs that become unusable or free after buying, plus the need to repurchase on a different platform, also contribute.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.11): Satisfaction stems from DLC characters being strong and effective without being pay-to-win, particularly Saya's melee prowess and boss-killing ability. The upward slash functioning as a double jump adds convenience, and the overall game feel, item collection, adjustable difficulty, and multiple playstyles provide a rewarding experience. The DLC also adds replayability and keeps players engaged.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.08): Players enjoy playing as Saya, finding her fun to use and appreciating her ability to access high places while adventuring. Local co-op and the game in general are described as fun, and the characters are found to be enjoyable.
- Disappointment (weight 0.06): Disappointment arises from the PC version's character art being inferior to the mobile version's, and Saya's in-game portrait being much worse than the illustration. Losing many floors of collected progress due to a bug is a major letdown. Additionally, DLC characters are seen as forgettable and adding no gameplay value, and multiple flight items have identical effects.
- Excitement (weight 0.04): Excitement is generated by new characters with unique abilities, the DLC providing content comparable to a second game, high-damage melee combat, and defeating Prometheus. Meta progression that reduces repetition and gives outlook for future development also fuels excitement.
- Amusement (weight 0.04): Amusement comes from Saya's free double jump and fun gameplay, with the knife being more enjoyable to use than a gun. The double jump has unexpected clever uses that are noted humorously, adding to the amusement.
- Dissatisfaction (weight 0.03): Dissatisfaction is caused by the DLC being sold separately despite the base game's price, Saya's model not looking good enough, and melee combat with the katana being too risky for killing enemies.
- Frustrated (weight 0.03): Frustration arises when a bundle refund only returns the base game, using Saya's katana in combat often results in getting hurt, and melee/katana feel useless against enrage-on-death thorn enemies and lack bonuses.
- Concern (weight 0.02): Concern is expressed about melee combat becoming too dangerous past the 5th floor, and the plateau period after full completion potentially discouraging players.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.02): Enthusiasm is driven by fun characters and Saya's dash ability, along with the game being very affordable and worth buying.
- Admiration (weight 0.02): Admiration is felt for Saya's appearance and the katana effects, and players love the DLC character's design and attack style.
- Love (weight 0.02): Love for the game is expressed because Saya is really good and able to do lots of hacks, and the anime girl character and katana gameplay are adored.
- Satisfied (weight 0.02): Satisfaction comes from Saya helping reach high places early game and Amir being strong with shields; Saya provides useful extra mobility.
- Hope (weight 0.02): Hope is felt for more improvements such as additional monsters, bosses, and bug fixes, and players look forward to future updates and improvements.
- Anger (weight 0.02): Anger is caused by the katana being unable to destroy bullets, making pure melee builds difficult, and a purchase intended to support domestic single-player games ending in a buggy experience.
- Annoyance (weight 0.02): Annoyance stems from the dead cat pet being useless and purely for annoyance, and some weapons being hard to control.
- Affection (weight 0.01): Affection is expressed because Saya is cute.
- Sadness (weight 0.01): Sadness is felt because Saya's face is not drawn well.
- Surprise (weight 0.01): Surprise occurred when the game became free after being wishlisted.
- Attachment (weight 0.01): Attachment to Saya exists because she is a key and useful character.}