Neon Inferno Review

By Nolan P. Smith
Editor | Pastrami Nation

I’ve always had a soft spot for retro games. The straightforward gameplay, pixel-perfect visuals, and pick-up-and-play fun—that’s my jam. So when I heard about Neon Inferno from Retroware and Zenovia Interactive, my interest was instantly piqued. After spending several hours with the game, I can confidently say this is a cyberpunk-soaked, retro gamer’s dream come true.

This run-and-gun shooter drops players into a dystopian New York City, torn apart by warring factions in a neon-lit future. You step into the role of an assassin working for the Family—a powerful crime syndicate determined to wipe out its rivals and take control of the city. Players can choose between Angelo and Mariana; for my playthrough, I rolled with Angelo and never looked back.

Neon Inferno shines with gorgeous pixel art and an absolutely killer soundtrack that keeps the adrenaline pumping. The controls are easy to pick up but take time to truly master, striking a great balance between accessibility and depth. While the action is classic 2D at heart, the game smartly uses depth within stages to add a fresh layer of strategy that I genuinely loved. Enemy designs are sharp and memorable, and the boss encounters fully live up to the name—challenging, stylish, and satisfying to conquer.

At its core, Neon Inferno is a love letter to classic run-and-gun titles, wrapped in a sleek, modern presentation that feels right at home on today’s consoles.

I played the PS5 version, and the experience was fantastic from start to finish. Neon Inferno delivers high-octane action, rewarding progression, and enough variety to keep every stage feeling fresh. It’s a blast from the past in all the best ways—and easily one of my favorite games I’ve played in recent years.

Rating: 4.5 Pastrami Nations out of 5