Info about Advent NEON®:

Official game description:
Take to Neopolis as Neon, punching your way through all manner of robot to get your creator's body back. Shred through enemies at lightspeed with attack chaining and dashing so tight it'll make you think other games are running in slow motion. Transform into an engine of destruction at 100% power, and show the world what you can _really_ do!
Oh, and "lightspeed" isn't an exaggeration; you can _literally_ **freeze time** (and the level timer) to get the advantage on your enemies!
**Advent NEON gives you:**
*   A **full platform fighter's moveset** (attack in multiple directions!) with cancelable attacks and extremely responsive inputs to always vary up your combos!
*   **8-way dashing**, to go fast and get past whatever's in your way! (There's even wavedashing too!)
*   **_Schmovement_.** Not just _movement_, but that BUTTER SMOOTH "spend 10 minutes just enjoying jumping and dashing" movement. Even the walls are your playground!
*   A parry? Nah, we **_freeze time_** around these parts!
*   But also I lied, as you can ALSO **_parry attacks with your own!_**
*   **Resonance:** The ability to scale drastically in power, dealing critical hits and transforming at 100% strength! Only the most skilled players can maintain this level of power!
*   Use slopes to your advantage to achieve and maintain **_High Speed State_**, tearing through enemies and level records, alike!
*   There's also a **Training Room** for you to spawn enemies and try out items and combos!
*   Remappable controls, multiple controller support, ability to hold inputs, tweak FX opacity and more in the options menus!

Release date: 18 Jul, 2025

Categories: Platformer, Beat 'em up, Character-based Combat, Single-player Story, Speedrunning, Time-based Mechanics


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics: No data
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes: No data


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:
- Combat is fun and satisfying (weight 1): Players overwhelmingly praise the combat system, highlighting its satisfying feel, visual flair, and rewarding mechanics. The fast-paced, challenging, yet fair boss fights are a particular highlight, contributing to a highly enjoyable and replayable experience.
- Excellent 2D platforming (weight 0.32): The platforming elements are consistently lauded for their fluidity, variety, and smooth controls. Players appreciate the well-designed levels that encourage strategic thinking and experimentation, making it one of the best 2D platformers experienced.
- Worth the long wait (weight 0.28): Many players expressed that the game was well worth the long wait, often citing anticipation since early demos or Kickstarter. The game's unique style and ability to deliver on hype moments were frequently mentioned.
- Accessible, fast, tight controls (weight 0.26): The game is noted for its accessibility, tight controls, and fast-paced gameplay. Players found it easy to pick up and enjoy, with a slick visual and tactile feel that enhances the experience.
- Impressive solo development (weight 0.22): Players are highly impressed by the game's quality, especially considering it's a solo-developed project. The dedication and hard work of the developer are evident, resulting in a unique and complete product with good accessibility.
- Great Sonic/Mega Man blend (weight 0.18): The game successfully blends elements from classic titles like Sonic and Mega Man Zero/ZX, creating a unique and enjoyable hybrid experience. Players appreciate the high-speed action reminiscent of Sonic games.
- Outstanding original soundtrack (weight 0.13): The game's original soundtrack received high praise, with players calling it a 'banger' and 'amazing.' The music effectively enhances the in-game experience and builds excitement.
- Solid and engaging story (weight 0.13): The game's story is described as solid, entertaining, and engaging. Players enjoyed following the narrative and appreciated its aesthetic qualities, especially by the end.
- Appealing character designs (weight 0.09): Players appreciate the game's character designs, finding them cool, charming, and visually appealing. The overall graphics and visual effects also contribute to a positive aesthetic experience.
- Epic ending and final boss (weight 0.07): The game's ending and final boss fight were particularly well-received. Players found the conclusion epic and considered everything near the end to be perfection.
- Interesting, simple mechanics (weight 0.05): The game's mechanics are noted for being interesting without being overly complex. This balance contributes to the game's accessibility and depth.
- Consistent characters, good scaling (weight 0.05): The game maintains consistent and distinct character personalities despite limited cutscene time. Additionally, the difficulty scaling effectively adjusts enemy speed without compromising the gameplay feel.
- Memorable boss encounters (weight 0.05): Specific boss encounters, particularly the Train boss and the final boss, were singled out as favorite and memorable experiences, praised for being cool and even funny.

Common complaints:
- Inconsistent Level Design & Gimmicks (weight 0.36): Players found the level design inconsistent, with some sections being repetitive, unclear, or overly reliant on gimmicks. Specific issues include poor visibility in auto-run sections, strict timing requirements, and frustrating mechanics like heat zones and drill trajectories.
- Confusing Story & Poor Exposition (weight 0.19): The game's narrative and exposition were often confusing or poorly delivered, making it difficult for players to grasp the story and world-building. New mechanics were also introduced abruptly without proper explanation.
- Lack of Polish (weight 0.19): Multiple players noted a general lack of polish throughout the game, including unpolished animations and a feeling of being unfinished. This contributes to a less refined overall experience.
- Frustrating Core Mechanics (weight 0.12): Specific mechanics like attack orbs and drill sections were highly frustrating due to poor implementation, leading to accidental deaths and difficult navigation, especially with a controller.
- Overly Forgiving Boss Fights (weight 0.1): Boss fights were criticized for being too easy due to high player health and overly forgiving mechanics. Some boss warnings were also inaccurate, leading to confusion.
- Technical Bugs & Crashes (weight 0.08): Players reported encountering minor softlocks and crashes, particularly on Steam Deck. These technical issues disrupt gameplay and indicate a need for stability improvements.
- Underwhelming Upgrade System (weight 0.05): The upgrade system felt underwhelming, with upgrades providing only minor assists rather than significant power boosts. The quick unlock speed also made the system feel less impactful.
- Input Issues in Grinding (weight 0.03): During grinding segments, players experienced issues with input recognition, which can lead to frustrating gameplay moments and loss of control.
- Lack of Unique Boss Music (weight 0.03): Players desired more unique musical themes for specific characters (Divas) instead of generic level ambience, suggesting a missed opportunity for stronger character identity through sound.
- Need for Optimization Settings (weight 0.03): A request was made for more optimization settings, indicating that some players may be experiencing performance issues or desire more control over graphical fidelity.
- Underdeveloped Jet Pack Ability (weight 0.03): The jet pack ability felt underdeveloped and not fully integrated into the gameplay, suggesting it may have been a late or rushed addition.

Gameplay feedback:
- Unique Genre Blend (weight 0.34): Players consistently describe the game as a unique blend of fast-paced platforming and beat-em-up combat, drawing comparisons to Sonic, Mega Man, and Smash Bros. This combination results in fluid movement and satisfying melee encounters.
- Excellent Level Design (weight 0.17): The game features top-notch level design with unique gimmicks and challenges that test player skills. Levels are tough but manageable, and the ranking system encourages replayability, contributing to a high skill ceiling.
- Fluid Movement Mechanics (weight 0.17): Movement is consistently praised for its fluidity, crispness, and Sonic-like flow. The eight-way dashing, wall-running, and lack of a double-jump contribute to a unique and satisfying navigation experience.
- Engaging Boss Fights (weight 0.16): Boss fights are highlighted as a strong point, requiring players to master parrying and countering mechanics. Their unique designs and evolving challenges contribute significantly to the game's enjoyment and difficulty curve.
- Responsive Combat System (weight 0.16): The combat system is praised for being quick, responsive, and satisfying, despite its apparent simplicity. The fast-paced nature of combat is a core part of the game's overall feel.
- Substantial Content & Replayability (weight 0.11): The game offers a decent amount of content, with about 12 hours for 100% completion. There's significant post-game content, including new abilities and upgrades to unlock, encouraging continued play.
- Adjustable Gameplay Speed (weight 0.1): The game includes options to adjust gameplay speed, allowing players to customize their experience. Some sections also feature uncontrollable fast-running segments, adding variety to the pacing.
- Well-Implemented Mechanics (weight 0.1): The game introduces new mechanics and enemies that enhance gameplay without slowing it down. Upgrades and perks feel powerful and well-balanced, contributing to cool enemy and boss concepts.
- Lighthearted Anime Story (weight 0.05): The game's story is described as lighthearted, incorporating Anime-esque themes and tropes. It offers a fun and fresh twist on the genre's narrative conventions.
- Combat Gauge Concerns (weight 0.05): There are specific concerns regarding the cost of 'break attacks' and how powerful hits deplete the entire attack gauge, which can prevent dashing and impact combat flow.
- Unpolished Jet Pack Ability (weight 0.05): The jet pack ability received criticism for its execution and limited animations, suggesting it might not be as polished as other mechanics.
- Smash Bros-like Enemy Defeat (weight 0.04): Enemies flying off-screen and exploding, similar to Super Smash Bros., is a notable visual and gameplay element.
- Controller Recommended (weight 0.04): A general positive sentiment about the gameplay, with a specific recommendation to play with a controller for the best experience.
- Basketball Money Exploit (weight 0.04): Players discovered an exploit or highly lucrative method involving the basketball mini-game to quickly earn in-game currency for upgrades.

Performance notes:
- Low system requirements (weight 0.06): Players appreciate the game's low system requirements, noting that it runs smoothly even on older or less powerful hardware. This accessibility allows a wider range of players to enjoy the game without needing high-end PCs.

Recommendations:
- Highly Recommended Game (weight 0.71): Many players highly recommend the game, praising its fast-paced action and comparing it favorably to titles like Sonic and Mega Man. They emphasize its value for the price and overall enjoyable experience.
- Desire for a Sequel (weight 0.06): Players are very keen on the idea of a sequel, indicating strong satisfaction with the current game and a desire for more content in the future.
- Try the Demo (weight 0.06): Players suggest trying the demo first, especially if unsure about purchasing the full game. This highlights the availability of a trial version.
- Engaging Combat & Movement (weight 0.03): The game is recommended for those who enjoy button mashing or mastering precise timing for fast movement, highlighting its core gameplay mechanics.
- Challenging for Casuals (weight 0.03): Some feedback indicates that casual players might find the game challenging on its default settings, suggesting a potentially steep learning curve for newcomers.
- Controller Recommended (weight 0.03): Players suggest taking breaks and using a controller for an optimal and more enjoyable gaming experience, implying that extended play or keyboard controls might be less comfortable.

Other player notes:
- Impressive Solo Development (weight 0.22): Players are highly impressed and grateful for the game's development, noting it was created by a single developer over approximately five years. This dedication is widely appreciated.
- Catchy and Thematic Music (weight 0.18): Players generally enjoy the game's music, describing it as catchy, thematic, and upbeat, with a strong electro/DnB influence. Some find it good but not particularly memorable.
- Stunning Art and Characters (weight 0.16): The game receives high praise for its visual elements, including amazing sprite work, character designs, and overall art style. Players find the characters charming and the world-building engaging.
- Cyberpunk Art Style (weight 0.06): The game's aesthetic is frequently compared to Katana Zero, featuring a distinct cyberpunk art style.
- FNF Mod Origins (weight 0.05): The game's origins as an FNF (Friday Night Funkin') mod are noted, with some players recognizing a similar humor style.
- Accessible Demo Available (weight 0.05): The availability of a demo was a positive point for players, with some indicating they played it extensively.
- Confusing Story Elements (weight 0.03): Some players found the game's narrative to be occasionally confusing, suggesting potential areas for clarity.
- Developer's Humor Style (weight 0.03): The developer's fondness for puns and references is a noticeable aspect of the game's content.
- Unique Genre Blend (weight 0.02): One player described the game as a unique blend reminiscent of Nintendo, Sega, and Rockstar titles, highlighting its diverse influences.
- Features Neon Man (weight 0.02): A specific character, referred to as a 'neon man,' is a notable visual element in the game.
- Reminiscent of TMNT Flash (weight 0.02): One player noted a resemblance to the flash game TMNT: Dark Horizon, suggesting a similar gameplay or thematic feel.

Emotions:
- Satisfaction (weight 0.35): Players expressed satisfaction primarily due to the game's high overall quality, particularly highlighting the fluid and rewarding combat system, including time-stop dodges and powerful combos. The engaging platforming experience, responsive controls, and the impressive achievement of a solo developer also contributed significantly to player contentment.
- Excitement (weight 0.18): Excitement stemmed from the game's high quality, fast-paced combat, and unique visual style, which often evoked comparisons to classic titles like Sonic. Players were also thrilled by the challenging level design, epic boss fights, and the prospect of future content, indicating strong anticipation and enjoyment of the game's core mechanics.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.11): Players found enjoyment in the game's overall fun and fast-paced gameplay, particularly its action-platformer elements and combat style. The engaging story, well-crafted world-building, and memorable music also contributed to a highly positive and entertaining experience.
- Joy (weight 0.06): Joy was frequently expressed due to the game's overall fun factor, the enjoyment of new abilities, and the charming characters and music. The long-awaited release of the game also contributed to a sense of delight and satisfaction among players.
- Frustration (weight 0.05): Frustration arose from specific design flaws, including slippery controls, unclear platforming sections, and poorly designed levels, particularly in Area 3. Players also found the blunt introduction of mechanics, strict timing requirements, and clunky combat in certain sections to be irritating.
- Disappointment (weight 0.05): Disappointment was linked to issues such as overly difficult bosses, technical problems, and certain levels that disrupted the game's flow. Players also expressed dissatisfaction with shallow combat, unclear level design, and a general lack of polish in some game mechanics and character representations.
- Amazement (weight 0.03): Players were amazed by the game's exceptional overall quality, the developer's significant effort, and its unique blend of styles. The innovative movement system also contributed to a sense of wonder and admiration for the game's design.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.03): Enthusiasm was driven by the game's perceived value, its high quality, and the availability of a demo. Players strongly recommended the game, highlighting its overall excellence and favorable comparison to other titles in its genre.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.02): Nostalgia was triggered by the game's aesthetic and gameplay, which reminded players of classic flash animations and evoked a sense of childhood memories.
- Challenge (weight 0.01): Players appreciated the game's challenging difficulty, noting that tough levels encouraged strategic thinking and provided a rewarding experience.
- Admiration (weight 0.01): Admiration was directed towards the developer's significant achievement and the game's high quality, reflecting appreciation for the dedication involved in its creation.
- Appreciation (weight 0.01): Players expressed appreciation for the game being a work of art, its strong resemblance to Sonic, and its worthiness after a long wait.
- Anger (weight 0.01): Anger was specifically directed at certain sections of the game, indicating frustration with particular design choices or difficulties within those areas.
- Surprise (weight 0.01): Players were surprised by the game receiving its own full release, suggesting it exceeded their initial expectations for its scope or availability.
- Hype (weight 0.01): Hype was primarily generated by the game's music, indicating that the soundtrack significantly contributed to player anticipation and excitement.
- Annoyance (weight 0.01): Annoyance stemmed from difficulty spikes within the game, suggesting an inconsistent or unfair challenge curve.
- Awe (weight 0.01): Awe was specifically attributed to the game's finale, indicating a powerful and impressive conclusion to the experience.
- Relaxation (weight 0.01): Players felt relaxation because the game was not overly strict, suggesting a forgiving or less demanding gameplay experience.
- Exhaustion (weight 0.01): Exhaustion was caused by the game's increasing challenge towards the end, indicating a demanding and tiring experience in the later stages.
- Mild annoyance (weight 0.01): Mild annoyance was caused by the quick unlocking of upgrades, suggesting that the progression system felt too fast or unrewarding.}