Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 66 | 11 |
| Creator reviews (2 tracked) | – | 83 | 1 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 91% | 85 | 590 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 100% | 97 | 2 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 5 reviews sampled · 3 total reviews in window · weighted 3.1 up / 0 down · computed 1h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (31)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 50
“When all is said and done, when the glow of the stylish aesthetic and the intrigue of the Cyberpunk Orwellian narrative have fizzled out, Neon Chrome emerges as an average, sometimes fun but more often than not generic twin-stick rogue-like with a Sci-Fi coat of paint; it rarely lives up to its explosive promise or explores its thematic potential in any meaningful way. It could be argued that the genre is solely about the mechanics, but with a neglected back story failing to compliment the reasonable if hardly revolutionary gameplay, it's difficult not to feel a little flat about the experience on offer.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“I’ve actually been enjoying Neon Chrome for quite some time on the PC and am thrilled that it has finally made its way to the Switch, even moreso that it has come over quite flawlessly. Beating the Overseer is no easy feat but what I love the most about the game is that it continues to scale itself up even past that initial victory and you’ll be able to continue to test your skills and your load outs against consistently formidable resistance. In some ways it is when all of the skill options are finally available to you that the game most comes to life, throwing exciting challenges at you and demanding that you give it your full attention to persevere. While I’ve played many roguelike shooters and enjoy them all I hold Neon Chrome up as one of my absolute favorites for multiple reasons.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Neon Chrome is a fun twin-stick shooter that has a rewarding upgrade feature and a good visual aesthetic. The controls feel tight, even if they do take some getting used to, and the procedural environments, enemy placements, and character selection, all ensure that each playthrough feels fresh. The visual setting from level to level could do with a bit more distinction as each level is based in the same type of office floor, but this is a minor gripe. Overall, there is a lot of game-time to be had within Neon Chrome, and those looking for a twin-stick shooter on the Nintendo Switch should certainly take note.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Neon Chrome is an admirable blend of genres that provides a stiff challenge and potentially massive amounts of playing time. There a feeling of repetition to be found for sure and the need to die, die, and die again won't be for everyone. Those with the mettle though, will find a fun and enjoyable shooter that has the potential to be both strangely compelling and unrelentingly addictive.”
read full review ↗ - 50
“Mixing things up a little could have worked wonders, but as it is, playing Neon Chrome is an exercise in tedium occasionally broken up by the odd exciting moment. The progression system amounts to little more than slowly increasing numbers next to things like 'health' and 'damage', and contradictory design choices mean that despite options being made available to you, the best option is almost always the same one. Ultimately, Neon Chrome is a game that wants you to keep coming back for more, but one that offers few reasons to actually do so.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Of the different kinds of Nindie titles that have come to Switch this is definitely my favorite genre. I've started to become picky about what I play though as there's been a lot of roguelike titles released, almost to the point of saturation. Initially it didn't feel much different from some existing games I played until I started to realize how much freedom the levels allowed. After discovering new power ups and developing new strategies I became addicted to dethroning the Overseer. If you've been initially turned off of the genre because of the permadeath nature and potentially low replayability than Neon Chrome is a great title to get your toes wet with as it's probably the least roguelike Shooter/RPG released so far on the Switch.”
read full review ↗ - 50
“Despite having one of the most generic titles I’ve heard in a while, Neon Chrome has a lot going for it, a solid rogue-like, with plenty of upgrade options and exciting action. It’s such a shame that the HUD issue put a dampener on things. As it stands, I would have to recommend waiting on this until a patch it released to address the semi game breaking bug.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Neon Chrome is a brilliant title that has plenty of content packed into it with well-designed gameplay mechanics at work to give players a solid title. Though playing in docked mode has a number of minor issues that can be overlooked, the game is a blast to play in handheld mode. If you are looking for an engaging and challenging title you and pick up and play on the go then look no further than Neon Chrome.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Neon Chrome's roguelike qualities combined with shoot'em up gameplay mechanics contribute to make this an interesting game that makes the players change their tactics with every level and which presents an immense amount of weapons and upgrades. However, it also feels like it doesn't quite fulfill its potential, as its plot remains stale throughout the game and the audiovisual component doesn't show anything worthy of praise.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Neon Chrome is an excellent addition to the bullet-hell twin-stick shooter genre that oozes with originality and ensures that no level is exactly the same as another. Despite a lackluster protagonist and simple enemy designs, Neon Chrome delivers on an excellent gameplay experience packaged in 80s science fiction that will keep players sending hundreds of Assets to their graves like pigs to the slaughter for many, many hours.”
read full review ↗ - 50
“Neon Chrome isn't a bad game by any stretch of the imagination, but it may not grab you if you've played anything of the same ilk.”
read full review ↗ - 40
“The long tail of Neon Chrome's progression system is too much to ask for its plain and repetitive combat. It's a carrot on a stick that doesn't offer enough joy or spectacle along the way.”
read full review ↗
Nintendo Life
Nindie Spotlight
Cubed3
Pure Xbox
Push Square
NintendoWorldReport
ZTGD
GameGrin
FNintendo
GameSkinny
TechRaptor
We Got This Covered…and 19 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- DYSMANTLE 1.0 Now AvailableNov 16, 2021
- Skeletal Avenger Full Version Launched on Steam!Sep 29, 2021
- Update Notes for 1.2.1 (macOS only)Feb 3, 2021
- Update Notes for 1.2.0.0 (macOS only)Jan 28, 2021
- Version 1.1.7Jun 21, 2018
- Version 1.1.6 for WindowsMay 16, 2018
- New Mac Version in Beta!Mar 19, 2018
- New Mac Version in Beta!Mar 19, 2018
- Version 1.1.3 in default branchDec 5, 2017
- Version 1.1.3 in default branchDec 5, 2017
- Version 1.1.1 is live.Oct 31, 2017
- Version 1.1.1 is live.Oct 31, 2017
- Latest version is live on Windows, Mac and LinuxSep 19, 2017significant · resets scoring window
- Latest version is live on Windows, Mac and LinuxSep 19, 2017
- New Linux & Mac versions on Beta Branch!Sep 14, 2017
- New Version for Windows in beta branch!Sep 13, 2017significant · resets scoring window
- New Version for Windows in beta branch!Sep 13, 2017
- Small Arena UpdateApr 4, 2017
- Small Arena UpdateApr 4, 2017
- Neon Chrome Arena - Now With Local Co-OpMar 1, 2017
- Neon Chrome Arena - Now With Local Co-OpMar 1, 2017
- Arena Co-Op in BetaFeb 17, 2017
- Latest UpdateDec 22, 2016significant · resets scoring window
- Latest UpdateDec 22, 2016
- Gameplay updates, Linux and Mac supportNov 3, 2016significant · resets scoring window
- Latest Update Beta Version: Balancing and Linux supportSep 2, 2016significant · resets scoring window
- Latest Update Beta Version: Balancing and Linux supportSep 2, 2016significant · resets scoring window
- The Latest UpdateAug 9, 2016significant · resets scoring window
- The Latest UpdateAug 9, 2016
- Modding, Improved Purchases & Balancing Available Now!Jun 7, 2016significant · resets scoring window
- Boss Balance UpdateMay 11, 2016significant · resets scoring window
- Boss Balance UpdateMay 11, 2016
- Game Update May 5th 2016May 5, 2016significant · resets scoring window
- Game Update May 5th 2016May 5, 2016
- Neon Chrome Released on SteamApr 28, 2016
- Update Beta 27th April 2016Apr 27, 2016significant · resets scoring window
- Update Beta 27th April 2016Apr 27, 2016
…and 2 earlier patch announcements.