Neon Abyss 2 Early Access Review
What kind of sequel is Neon Abyss 2? It’s the kind of sequel that doesn’t deviate too far from the original formula that fans loved in the first place. Improve upon what already exists, use feedback and criticisms from Neon Abyss to implement changes, and increase the quantity across the board and then increase quantity again. There is no other word to use other than abundance for the amount of content within Neon Abyss 2.
NEON ABYSS 2 EARLY ACCESS EARLY REVIEW
Neon Abyss 2 lands into early access today, but unlike most early access titles, Neon Abyss 2 doesn’t feel unfinished or incomplete. As a matter of fact, it already features more levels, enemies, character and bosses than the original. In addition to that, it’s launching with up to four player co op, as well as refinements, and new additions.
Review codes for Neon Abyss 2 only came in a few days prior to the early access launch, but after close to ten hours solo, we feel we can make a good assessment of Neon Abyss 2, especially considering that the story in Neon Abyss 1 could be completed in a similar time frame. However, the original wasn’t really focused on telling a compelling story and Neon Abyss 2 isn’t either. There is a morsel of story here, but the selling point is the action platforming and the potential for each run to have busted builds.
Just like the original, Neon Abyss 2 is loaded with plenty of Pop Culture references drawn from a very wide swath including Jason from Friday the 13th, Jigsaw, John Wick and even a mini boss modelled after Labubu.
Neon Abyss 2 is a lot more of the same, but better in most ways. The visuals received a pretty massive overhaul, there is more close range weapons, bosses no longer have fixed patterns and as mentioned, there is now up to 4 player co-op. These are direct fixes based on feedback from the original. People wanted multiplayer, bosses had fixed patterns are became too predictable, almost all of the weapons were long range.
Unfortunately, not everything has been remedied at the launch of Early Access. Neon Abyss 2 still has a pretty large emphasis on RNG and procedurally generated dungeons, which means that experiences will be wildly different from run to run.
However, they have tried to improve this with one of the big new additions, which is the faith system and tries to give the character more control over each run. The big issue is that you need to earn that faith from playing. It’s very similar to another skill tree and you need to work your way through it. This means that new players will still be at the mercy of randomness, which might push people away before they regain some control over their destiny through the faith system.
Variety is still a slight issue as even though there are more bosses at the launch of Early Access, you have to fight a lot of the same fodder and mini bosses. There are also a lot of returning faces from Neon Abyss, which could amplify the feeling of repetition for people that spent a lot of time with the original. I have fought the social media god and the pachinko god too many times to count already. The other issue is that having too much content in your game can be hard to digest everything and just like the first, I still don’t fully grasp the Hatchemon system.
Neon Abyss 2 Early Access Verdict
There are still some criticisms that still linger from Neon Abyss, but considering how much feedback was applied into the development of Neon Abyss 2 and how many sharp edges have been polished smooth, fans should rest assured that the Early Access period will prove to be fruitful.
Neon Abyss 2 is a huge step in the right direction for the series, and this is just the beginning of Early Access. If you liked the original, you’ll love this one and if you didn’t, then Neon Abyss 2 made enough changes to warrant a second look.
