《霓虹之血》(Neon Blood)是結合賽博龐克美學、偵探冒險與回合制戰鬥的2.5D角色扮演遊戲，由西班牙獨立團隊Chaotic Brain Studios開發，並由Meridiem Games發行。於2024年11月26日推出，登陸Steam。2025年9月25日，實體版在其他主流主機平台PS5、Nintendo Switch等銷售。以其獨特的像素風格融合3D場景、濃厚敘事導向和社會議題探討，在眾多獨立遊戲中嶄露頭角。

故事設定在2053年的未來大都會「Viridis」，這座城市被階級制度劃分為兩極：貧民雲集、破敗不堪的Blind City，以及高科技、繁華奢侈的Bright City。主角阿克塞爾・麥克科因(Axel McCoin)，一位離開警界、理念堅定的前偵探，他在調查一樁看似普通的命案時，逐漸捲入關乎城市未來與社會秩序的大陰謀。在調查過程中，他不但要對抗強大企業集團如Nilkicorp和Mecanolife，也逐步面對自己的過去與身份之謎。

操作方面，採用回合制戰鬥系統，可透過技能、物品與終結技來應對敵人，戰鬥節奏較為傳統，並偶爾穿插快速反應指令（Quick-Time Events），增添戰鬥張力。然而戰鬥並非本作重心，更多時間是投入於角色對話、調查場景、解謎與情境選擇。這些要素讓玩家深入理解城市分裂的背景與角色內心掙扎。場景使用2.5D視角結合像素角色與3D背景，並透過大量霓虹燈光、賽博構圖與電子音樂營造出濃厚的未來氛圍，視覺風格深受懷舊像素迷與賽博龐克愛好者喜愛。

從遊戲流程上來看，屬於篇幅較短的作品，主線平均約三至四小時可完成，適合喜歡一次性沉浸式敘事體驗的玩家。對於喜愛《Shadowrun》、《Monkey Island》、《Disco Elysium》等強調文本與探索的玩家來說，這部作品在敘事表現與世界建構上具有一定吸引力。

在市場評價方面，在Steam上的整體評價為「褒貶不一」，好評率約52%。許多玩家與評論者對其視覺風格與故事深度給予正面肯定，特別是對於像素風格與3D背景融合的美術表現，以及對階級制度與社會壓迫的隱喻。然而，部分負面評價集中於遊戲戰鬥機制略顯薄弱、解謎流程過於簡單且劇情推進偏線性。此外，對話選項雖多，但實際對故事影響有限，讓部分玩家感到互動性不足。

總體而言，《Neon Blood》是具備濃厚風格與敘事主導的賽博龐克RPG。雖然在戰鬥與互動上仍有改進空間，但其在視覺呈現、世界觀架構與社會議題觸及方面展現出創作者的野心與誠意。它更像是一部短篇科幻小說的電子互動版，適合重視氛圍與故事深度的玩家細細品味。若對未來城市、反烏托邦世界與像素藝術有興趣，這款作品值得嘗試。

Neon Blood is a 2.5D role-playing game that blends cyberpunk aesthetics, detective adventure, and turn-based combat. Developed by the Spanish indie team Chaotic Brain Studios and published by Meridiem Games, it was first released on Steam on November 26, 2024, with a physical edition arriving on major console platforms such as PS5 and Nintendo Switch on September 25, 2025. Known for its unique fusion of pixel art and 3D environments, heavy narrative direction, and focus on societal themes, Neon Blood stands out among contemporary indie titles.

The story is set in the futuristic megacity of Viridis in the year 2053, a city starkly divided by class into two extremes: the rundown slums of Blind City, where poverty runs rampant, and the high-tech, luxurious Bright City. The protagonist, Axel McCoin, is a principled former detective who has left the force. While investigating what initially appears to be a simple homicide, he finds himself entangled in a vast conspiracy that could reshape the future of the city and its social structure. As his investigation deepens, Axel must face powerful corporate entities such as Nilkicorp and Mecanolife, while also confronting mysteries tied to his own past and identity.

In terms of gameplay, the title employs a traditional turn-based combat system, where players use skills, items, and finishing moves to defeat enemies. While combat features occasional Quick-Time Events (QTEs) to enhance intensity, it is not the game’s central focus. Most of the experience revolves around dialogue, scene investigation, puzzle-solving, and choice-driven interactions. These elements help players immerse themselves in the divided city’s socio-political environment and the emotional struggles of its inhabitants. The game utilizes a 2.5D perspective, combining pixelated characters with detailed 3D backgrounds, and evokes a vivid cyberpunk atmosphere through neon lighting, futuristic visual compositions, and an electronic soundtrack. This art direction has earned praise from fans of retro pixel art and cyberpunk genres alike.

In terms of length, Neon Blood is relatively short, with the main storyline taking around three to four hours to complete—ideal for players seeking a compact, immersive narrative experience. Fans of games like Shadowrun, Monkey Island, or Disco Elysium, which emphasize text-heavy exploration and world-building, will find its storytelling and setting particularly compelling.

On the market, Neon Blood has received a mixed reception, with an overall Steam rating of approximately 52% positive. Many players and critics have praised the game’s visual style and narrative depth, especially its successful integration of pixel art and 3D elements, and its metaphorical exploration of classism and social oppression. However, criticisms have been aimed at the shallow combat mechanics, overly simple puzzles, and the linear progression of the story. Additionally, while the game offers multiple dialogue choices, these are seen by some as having limited impact on the actual narrative, which diminishes the sense of meaningful player agency.

In summary, Neon Blood is a stylized, narrative-driven cyberpunk RPG that, despite some shortcomings in gameplay and interactivity, showcases the developers’ ambition and sincerity in storytelling, art design, and thematic engagement. It plays more like an interactive short science fiction novel than a traditional RPG and is best appreciated by players who value atmosphere and story over action. For those intrigued by dystopian futures, pixel art storytelling, and social commentary, Neon Blood is certainly worth a try.