Neon Abyss 2

Get ready for brightly coloured, over-the-top combat and crazy synergies in Neon Abyss 2 from Veewo Games and Kepler Ghost. This love letter to roguelike action platformers now features online 4-player co-op.

Neon Abyss 2 is a fast-paced, side-scrolling, action-packed roguelike game with run-and-gun gameplay and bullet hell elements, set in a colourful mythological cyberpunk world. As in the original game, players run, jump and shoot their way through procedurally generated levels, fighting hordes of enemies and bosses while collecting a variety of items that enable wild synergies.

Each run is randomly generated, so the level structure, enemies, rewards and items change every time. After dying, players have to start again from the beginning, but they retain some progress through unlocked content. During runs, they collect resources that can be invested outside of runs to unlock permanent upgrades, such as new characters (agents with unique abilities), weapons, and items for future runs. This constantly expands the pool of items and possibilities. The Faith system adds tactical depth to the game. Players can spend collected points in the shop on new items or Hatchlings, which allows them to influence their individual run in a more targeted manner. This makes choice more important than the random factor (RNG); in the first part of the game, runs depended heavily on random drops. The Hatchmons (Pets) serve as another progression system.. Players can hatch and collect Hatchlings, then evolve them into powerful and unique allies, spicing up their runs with 24 evolution paths and deeper customisation. The system goes much deeper than it did in the previous game. In between runs, players can relax with friends by shooting some hoops or going fishing in one of the mini-games.

Compared to the first game, there is a new weapon system that allows players to choose their own combat style, with options ranging from new melee weapons to firearms and magic. In the original game, ranged weapons were the main option. "Smash enemies up close with a bat or saber, unleash attacks with deadly plants, or command fierce dragon-like creatures to fight for you—the choice is yours! With limitless options and imaginative weapons, every run lets you experiment with unique, wild ways to conquer the Abyss," say the developers. The current Early Access release features over 600 items, and bosses now have randomised skills for more dynamic encounters.

The biggest new feature is the online co-op mode for two to four players. This allows you to cause more chaos, create wilder builds and explore different rooms within the same map, maximising efficiency and uncovering treasures. Those who would rather play alone can also enjoy all game content in single-player mode.

The game is currently in Early Access, but there are problems with the co-op mode, particularly with regard to unbalanced resource competition between players. The developers intend to address this issue. The same applies to reducing visual clutter and improving controller support. A bug causing performance stuttering has been already fixed. "The Early Access version of Neon Abyss 2 already features more levels, enemies, characters, and bosses than the original Neon Abyss, and supports online multiplayer. It also includes all the enemies and bosses from the first game. However, the game is still not fully developed, with many special rooms, characters, enemies, weapons, bosses, and systems still in development, and the multiplayer experience may have room for optimization," The game has been in development for over three years, and the developers expect the Early Access phase of Neon Abyss 2 to continue into 2026. There is no specific end date for the Early Access development. There are plans for more boss enemies, another Titaness, new agents (playable characters), options to customise the Abyss (banning system), new high-risk, high-reward mechanics (Curse system) and a weapon hall where dynamic weapon customisations can be unlocked. New weapons, items and faiths will also be added.

Founded in 2011, Veewo Games is an independent game development studio based in Xiamen, China. The studio's titles include Neon Abyss, Super Phantom Cat and Super Phantom Cat 2, and they are currently working on Neon Abyss 2. Neon Abyss was released on 14 July 2020 with British video game developer Team17 as their primary publisher. For Neon Abyss 2, the studio has chosen Kepler Ghost as their publisher. This is the publishing division of Kepler Interactive, founded in 2023 and specialising in the publishing and marketing of video games from independent studios. This is a white-label publishing service: studios can use the expertise of an experienced AA/AAA publisher, but remain visible as a brand and retain control over their own marketing activities for a lower revenue share (based on 15%). Therefore, Kepler Ghost is aimed at developers who have already financed their project and are primarily looking for marketing and publishing support, without giving up control of their brand. Breaker Games (Apocalypse Party), Motion Twin (Windblown), Studio Sai (Eternights), Metric Empire (Battle Shapers) and Indoor Astronaut (Unrailed 2: Back on Track) have all previously partnered with Kepler Ghost.

Conclusion

In Early Access, Neon Abyss 2 is ramping up the action with a new multiplayer mode, creative synergies, and new mechanics that reduce the randomness of each run.

Features

• Stylish, chaotic and colourful roguelike action platformer
• Extensive arsenal of weapons and numerous over-the-top synergies
• Cooperative multiplayer mode