Repixel8’s Neon Apex: Beyond the Limit, published by Numskull Games, bursts onto the PlayStation 5 with the kind of unfiltered arcade racing energy that feels like a direct callback to the early 2000s. At first glance, it looks like a tribute to the high-octane, neon-drenched legacy of Burnout and Jet Set Radio Future mixed with a bit of Speed Racer – but beneath the shell-shaded visuals and cyberpunk bravado lies a racer that’s full of ambition and quirks, not all of which land as smoothly as a perfect drift.
The game kicks off with a bold futuristic setting – Earth in 2124 – where humans, androids, and cyber-enhanced racers compete for supremacy in blistering contests of speed. This cyberpunk narrative is split between two major modes: a traditional career progression and a story campaign, both packed with races and events that help you unlock more cars, bikes, and upgrades. The story campaign leans hard into sci-fi tropes with a campy flair, which won’t be to everyone’s taste, and its reliance on text-only dialogue might undercut some of its dramatic intentions if you were thinking of something like MegaRace here. The writing, while humorous at times, can feel inconsistent, and for many, the temptation to skip ahead will likely be strong.
As for gameplay, Neon Apex makes no attempt to ground itself in realism, opting instead for arcade-style mechanics that prioritize fun over finesse. Races include familiar formats like standard circuits, sprints, and takedowns, all of which benefit from the game’s breakneck pace and boost-focused design. Drifting plays a central role here – not only helping players manage corners but also recharging the essential nitro boost. It’s a simple mechanic, but mastering it takes some practice, especially given the occasionally unpredictable physics. Vehicles, especially the bikes, can feel overly sensitive or sluggish to respond, and in high-speed sections, this lack of refinement sometimes results in unintentional crashes or missed turns.
One of the game’s most unexpected and perhaps polarizing features is its attempt to incorporate fighting game mechanics into the racing structure. Without much warning or narrative justification, players may find themselves thrown into sequences that feel more like a brawler than a racer. It’s a bold inclusion that can feel a little baffling, and while there’s a certain charm to the sheer “why not?” energy behind it, the execution lacks polish and fails to gel with the rest of the experience.
Visuals are perhaps the most immediately striking element of Neon Apex, with bold cel-shading and a dense cyber-futuristic aesthetic that’s inspired by Japanese pop culture. The tracks are busy, colorful, and high-energy, though the visual effects can occasionally overwhelm the screen, making it hard to read the road ahead. Character models and vehicle designs lean into exaggerated styles, but the overall presentation feels a bit rough at times. That said, the game runs smoothly at 60 frames per second on PS5, delivering a fluid experience even when the visuals get chaotic.
Complementing the action is a soundtrack that leans heavily into high-energy electronic beats, adding to the game’s sense of kinetic momentum. Sound effects, particularly for vehicles and collisions, are solid and impactful. Although voice acting is absent, the overall audio design supports the high-stakes feel the game is aiming for. There’s a solid variety in the race events and unlockables, and the ability to upgrade your rides with cash earned from events gives the game a decent sense of progression, even if the loop becomes repetitive over time.
Ultimately, Neon Apex: Beyond the Limit is a game that thrives on enthusiasm but sometimes falters in execution. It’s clear that the developers had a passion for blending racing, style, and genre experimentation, but the final product lands in that space between novelty and polish. For players nostalgic for arcade racers with a punkish edge – or those intrigued by the sheer weirdness of racing-meets-fighting – it offers enough speed and spectacle to warrant a look. Just be prepared for a few sharp corners in both gameplay and presentation along the way.
Score: 6.2/10
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