This game is cool as hell (no pun intended), the vibes, the aesthetic, the gameplay, it all flows very well. It's 1/4 visual novel with very interesting characters, a mysterious plot, and some great moments. And 3/4 a puzzle-ish flow-ish shooter-ish parkour-ish game. It has aim assist by default, but I don't know how useful it is, because I turned it off before I played the game, and honestly you probably don't need it on.

I like the character depth, even when you feel like you get the whole story, you just have more questions. The characters feel compelling, the levels feel VERY well thought out. They reward you constantly for a knowledge of your cards, enemies, and abilities. Some levels feel great, then feel even better when you learn/figure out the Ace route. Then feel EVEN BETTER when that ace route you manage to do the first time, because it looked like a faster and more fun route.

I didn't expect to like the gameplay as much as I did, but in some of the later missions, I have said, out loud "Oh ♥♥♥♥, that was cool as hell" because the levels are so considered and well designed that I can't help but be impressed. Not only do the normal routes seem well designed, but they are weaved with faster paths that make you feel like a genius for spotting them without the guide. Other times, the guide is amazing, and is a wonderful addition for people who care to Ace everything. None of this is to even speak about the execution, which, I don't know if I've seen done better in a first person setting. This game absolutely drips from head-to-toe with style, and combat and movement is no exception.

Rarely does the game put you in the same headspace as your character, but you really do feel like you're channeling Neon White when you blaze your way through a level. Especially while the incredible OST blares in the background.

If you played and liked "The World Ends With You" you'll feel right at home with this game. Unique setting, off-kilter game-runners, plenty of secrets, interesting characters. It's all here, and it was more than what I was hoping for.

Edit: After getting the "Secret Ace" time on every stage in the game, I have a newer and fuller appreciation for the truly staggering amount of effort that went into designing each level. Some of them are so cleverly designed that it's truly stunning how smoothly the stage plays for silver to gold, gold to ace, and ace to secret ace. Each one feels right at home, some stages are just about pure speed and skill, some require lots of lateral thinking to knock out every demon, and/or find paths that feel amazingly clever. Also, go watch some world record times on youtube, they are SO cool to watch. The difficulty also scales beautifully, bronze to silver maybe a 10% increase in difficulty. Silver to Gold, 30%, Gold to Ace, 70%, Ace to Secret Ace: 250%, Secret Ace to near WR: 400%, but damn is it fun to try.

Anyway, I didn't think I'd get 30 more hours out of this game since my initial review, but after beating White's Hell Rush and putting in my first few attempts at Mikey's, as frustrating as it was at times, this game has yet to stop impressing me.

This game is cool as hell (no pun intended), the vibes, the aesthetic, the gameplay, it all flows very well. It's 1/4 visual novel with very interesting characters, a mysterious plot, and some great moments. And 3/4 a puzzle-ish flow-ish shooter-ish parkour-ish game. It has aim assist by default, but I don't know how useful it is, because I turned it off before I played the game, and honestly you probably don't need it on. I like the character depth, even when you feel like you get the whole story, you just have more questions. The characters feel compelling, the levels feel VERY well thought out. They reward you constantly for a knowledge of your cards, enemies, and abilities. Some levels feel great, then feel even better when you learn/figure out the Ace route. Then feel EVEN BETTER when that ace route you manage to do the first time, because it looked like a faster and more fun route. I didn't expect to like the gameplay as much as I did, but in some of the later missions, I have said, out loud "Oh shit, that was cool as hell" because the levels are so considered and well designed that I can't help but be impressed. Not only do the normal routes seem well designed, but they are weaved with faster paths that make you feel like a genius for spotting them without the guide. Other times, the guide is amazing, and is a wonderful addition for people who care to Ace everything. None of this is to even speak about the execution, which, I don't know if I've seen done better in a first person setting. This game absolutely drips from head-to-toe with style, and combat and movement is no exception. Rarely does the game put you in the same headspace as your character, but you really do feel like you're channeling Neon White when you blaze your way through a level. Especially while the incredible OST blares in the background. If you played and liked "The World Ends With You" you'll feel right at home with this game. Unique setting, off-kilter game-runners, plenty of secrets, interesting characters. It's all here, and it was more than what I was hoping for. Edit: After getting the "Secret Ace" time on every stage in the game, I have a newer and fuller appreciation for the truly staggering amount of effort that went into designing each level. Some of them are so cleverly designed that it's truly stunning how smoothly the stage plays for silver to gold, gold to ace, and ace to secret ace. Each one feels right at home, some stages are just about pure speed and skill, some require lots of lateral thinking to knock out every demon, and/or find paths that feel amazingly clever. Also, go watch some world record times on youtube, they are SO cool to watch. The difficulty also scales beautifully, bronze to silver maybe a 10% increase in difficulty. Silver to Gold, 30%, Gold to Ace, 70%, Ace to Secret Ace: 250%, Secret Ace to near WR: 400%, but damn is it fun to try. Anyway, I didn't think I'd get 30 more hours out of this game since my initial review, but after beating White's Hell Rush and putting in my first few attempts at Mikey's, as frustrating as it was at times, this game has yet to stop impressing me.