Gameplay Sound    Graphics Value Publisher: Freeverse    Genre: Arcade Min OS X: 10.4    CPU: G4 @ 800 MHz    RAM: 512 MB    Hard Disk: 500 MB    Graphics: 32 MB VRAM

Neon Tango May 28, 2008 | Jeremy Tirrell

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The mechanics and feel of Freeverse's Neon Tango cleave closely to its forbearers WingNuts and WingNuts 2, but its tweaked game elements and radically different presentation make it a refreshing and enjoyable experience in its own right.

Initial experience with Neon Tango invites comparison with one of the many variations of Bizarre Creations's Geometry Wars, which has its roots in bullet fest coin-ops such as Robotron: 2084, Smash TV, and Total Carnage. However, the similarity between Neon Tango and Geometry Wars is mostly skin deep, and largely predicated upon their shared Tron-inspired aesthetic. In terms of actual game mechanics, Freeverse's own Kill Monty is much more in keeping with this genre. A more fitting analog for Neon Tango in both look and feel is perhaps the 1997 Macintosh classic Battle Girl, produced by Ultra/United.

Neon Tango eschews the pretense of story, dropping the gamer's wedge-shaped ship into enclosed vector-themed play fields, most teeming with enemies, warps, one-way barriers, and power-ups. Although initial levels are essentially wide-open free-for-alls, later ones demand that players use environmental features and power-up resources judiciously. Because of this, success in Neon Tango is based somewhat more on strategy and less on reflex than other scrolling shooters, despite the prevalent on-screen frenzy. Perhaps nowhere is this more evident than during the comparatively calm boss battles that punctuate each level. Not only are the bosses' organic designs a fantastic counterpoint to the geometrically-minimal main enemies, but each one requires an element of planning, particularly in later rounds when tight confines, warp points, and one-way barriers are standard.

Neon Tango's core gameplay may be traced back to 80s influences, and the game provides a glimpse of what Konami's Time Pilot may have looked like were it designed by Jeff Minter. Neon Tango shares its scrolling-shooter mechanic with Time Pilot, but like Minter's Tempest 2000 and his more recent Space Giraffe, it is lush with graphical effects, occasionally to the point of disruption. Like many shooters of its ilk, Neon Tango causes "is it safe to touch that?" syndrome. Players may find themselves wondering if a particular batch of glowing lines and polygons is merely eye candy or enemy ordinance (the answer often becomes clear after the player's ship explodes).

The game's much-lauded soundtrack by Digital Droo, who also provided the audio for Freeverse's Active Lancer, deserves the kudos it has received. It warrants mentioning, however, that it does not stray very far from the expected techno genre. For better or worse, depending upon personal preference, it sounds very much like video game music.

Also, all this visual and sonic stimulation requires fairly robust system specs. The machine used to playtest Neon Tango was a dual-G5 Power Mac attached to a 30" Apple Cinema Display, and although the game normally ran smoothly, the framerate dipped noticeably when engaging multiple power-ups simultaneously. However, a large screen and high resolution provide the distinct tactical advantage of making all or most of the playfield visible at once. Gamepad input is accepted, and a good one provides a tangible edge. Keyboard control is also serviceable with practice, partially because keys are mappable. The game contains an autosave system and approximately 50 selectable levels, plus additional play modes, such as speed and endurance. Although there are separate save slots for different players, there is unfortunately no multiplayer component, either online or locally. This is partially ameliorated by online leader boards that are accessible through the main screen.

Overall, Neon Tango provides a fast-paced, pick up and play mechanic that has solid shooter fun at its core. Only two elements prevent it from being an even stronger package. The first is the lack of either a local or online multiplayer component. Multiplayer is not inherently necessary, but it would add value. Trying to stay atop the leader boards offers some additional longevity, but not the aspect of communal play that keeps games sustainable. Secondly, for all its polish, Neon Tango is fundamentally a game we have played before. Despite these issues, Neon Tango, and its brethren WingNuts and WingNuts 2, are some of the best examples of their genre available on any platform. Freeverse offers a downloadable demo of Neon Tango, so there is little reason not to give it a try.

	Neon Tango
	Publisher: Freeverse
	Download Neon Tango Demo

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