NeonVeil: City of Shadows
Reviewed by James Hartley | May 2026 | PC, PS5, Xbox Series X
Overview
NeonVeil: City of Shadows drops players into a rain-soaked, neon-drenched megalopolis where corporations rule and the streets belong to whoever is bold enough to take them. It is a cyberpunk action RPG that wears its influences proudly while carving out a distinct identity through exceptional world-building and a combat system that rewards creativity.
Gameplay
The core loop revolves around taking contracts from various factions — street gangs, corporate fixers, underground resistance cells — each with their own agendas and moral ambiguities. Combat is fluid and deeply customisable, blending melee, ranged, and cybernetic abilities in ways that feel genuinely powerful. The skill tree is one of the most satisfying in recent memory, with meaningful choices that alter how you approach encounters.
Stealth is a viable and rewarding path, though the AI occasionally stumbles when transitioning between alert states. These are minor blemishes on an otherwise polished experience.
Story & World
The narrative is where NeonVeil truly shines. The main storyline runs approximately 30 hours and is packed with memorable characters, moral dilemmas, and genuinely surprising twists. The city itself feels alive — districts have distinct personalities, NPCs follow daily routines, and environmental storytelling rewards exploration. Australian players will appreciate the subtle nods to Pacific Rim culture woven throughout.
Performance (AU Servers)
On PC with an RTX 4070, the game runs at a locked 60fps at 1440p Ultra settings. The Australian server infrastructure is solid, with online co-op features registering consistently low ping for east-coast players. Perth and Adelaide players may notice slightly higher latency in the game's optional multiplayer zones.
Pros
- Exceptional world-building
- Deep, rewarding combat
- Memorable narrative
- Stunning visual design
- Excellent AU server performance
Cons
- Occasional AI pathfinding issues
- Side quests feel repetitive late-game
- Loading times on base PS5
Verdict
NeonVeil: City of Shadows is a landmark achievement in the action RPG genre. It is not a perfect game, but its ambition, execution, and sheer density of quality content make it essential playing for any serious gamer. One of the best releases of 2026 so far.