Neo Cab is a new game coming to Switch, starring a cab driver of all things. Though realistically she is an uber driver of the future. Lina is moving from far away, Cactus Falls to Los Ojos. These two places are drastically different and Lina is going to have to make things work. She’s a strong woman though, so she’s surely up to the task. Lina is moving from Cactus Falls for her best friend Savvy. The last time she saw Savvy they fought but now they are going to live together. Lina is head over heels for Savvy and their first night together doesn’t go as she would have liked. In an instant Savvy is gone, and there are scant clues, for Lina to pick up on.
The main focus of the game is, of course, the cab driving system. Lina will pick up passengers and bring them to their destination. Though it isn’t that simple. Players will need to talk to their guests and make sure they have a great ride. This is an uber like service, so Lina’s rating does matter. The ability to maintain Lina’s job will determine if she will ever find her friend Savvy. Lina’s rating is dependent on her guests, and her rating can tank at any moment. It’s a difficult world to keep a high ranking as everyone’s beliefs are so fired up. Some people simply hate the idea of cars at all, others might hate the government or how things are going in the world. Lina has to maneuver through landmine filled conversations to even think about driving. If she drops below a four-star rating, she could be out of a job, and then where would she be?
Lina must also take care of herself and her mental state. Will she have enough money to sleep in a hotel for the night, to fill her car? These things could make or break her existence. Run out of gas and risk losing Lina’s job. If she doesn’t rest well she certainly won’t be ready for her shift. It’s important to balance her emotions and her ability to work if she’s too stressed it might be best to head to bed early. Always pay attention to Lina, she will tell the player what she needs.
Neo Cab takes place in a far-flung future where an evil organization called Capra is pulling the world’s strings. Before disappearing into the night Savvy gives Lina a mood necklace. This necklace will be essential in guiding Lina’s words and actions. Lina seethes at the mere mention of Capra because they fired her. It’s important to balance Lina’s emotions as they can lead the story down a distinctly different path. The Mood Matrix system is a rather in-depth one. Players will need to watch what they say and this system will highlight how she is feeling. Depending on her mood, Lina can even say different things. It’s a testament to good storytelling that she can stop herself from saying the wrong things under the wrong emotion. But, sometimes I’d prefer to see what would happen if I chose the more dangerous option.
The cab users in this game are often rather polarizing. They each have their own beliefs and looks. The game gives the player their name, rating, and brief snippet, and that’s all. Using these players can choose who Lina picks up. It’s important to choose wisely as the story will change depending on who Lina’s picking up. Sometimes Lina will pick up the same characters, and that will help to flesh out their story. The characters also are often unique in their appearance. They also make full use of different pronouns and people might not respond kindly to disrespect. It can be a little disorienting dealing with people as they can often seem so masculine and be offended that the player would think they were masculine. In a business as chaotic as this, it’s better to never assume.
Lina also never knows when she could meet anyone she’s had in her cab when she’s off the clock. The city is a vibrant place and characters have lives to live. Lina might bump into a character that ends up blocking the way, because of her choices. Player’s will need to be on their toes but should go with the flow, as the game can be wildly unpredictable. The characters might also be locked behind rating walls. Some characters might value a rating higher than anything else. It’s possible to be able to drive a character one night and then never see them again because the driver rating is too low. This is another reason to choose the right passengers and to maintain the rating!
The game has an intense story that can end in a variety of ways. It is guided completely by Lina’s interactions and could end in a bad way. Never look a gift horse in the mouth, and talk to everyone. Think twice before answering any questions and maybe, just maybe, Lina will find Savvy and live happily ever after. The game is a visual treat too, as the characters are rather expressive. It’s always a treat to see who jumps in the cab next. Plus the music and the vibe of the game are perfectly futuristic, and I can truly see the world becoming something like it is in this game. A world where technology truly has taken over, and everyone is nearly bonded to tech is not far off.
Los Ojos is a troubling city but with some thought and knowledge, Lina is going to be fine. With a little luck and determination, she is sure to survive in this new high tech city. Will she save Savvy and start her life with her or is Savvy dead somewhere, only the player can decide!
Disclaimer: A review key was provided