Fast talking

Not content with making a shooter-platformer mashup, Esposito’s also mixed visual novel elements into Neon White. You can chat with your fellow Neons, uncovering their backstories, and level up relationships by presenting them with gifts found in the far reaches of each level. (While most conversations have a flirtatious energy, this isn’t strictly a dating sim – Esposito is keen to clarify that the final reward isn’t “what you might imagine”.) It might sound like an unusual combination, but these elements are intended to solve a specific design problem, Esposito says: “Speedrunning games are exhausting. They take all of your mental energy, and you can get burned out really quickly.” Taking a moment to chat provides a natural break, as well as a chance to appreciate Neon White’s stylish (and somewhat thirsty) character art.