“Some day, a real rain wi…” no, wait, oops, wrong Taxi Driver reference!

Well, this is different. I’ve downloaded the free Neo Cab demo onto my Switch (there’s a PC demo for STEAM users here) and will say I’m more than impressed with what’s here so far. The art style is pleasant to look at, the writing is fine and there are elements to the gameplay that just simply work really well. As Lina, one of the last human drivers-for-hire on the streets of Los Ojos, you’ll find yourself caught up in a friend’s disappearance after she takes what’s supposed to be a short detour. Developer ChanceAgency has a few things going on here, all of which gel into a memorable game so far.

Trapped in the city she hates for a few reasons, Lina is forced to keep driving in order to keep her Star rating up and her sanity up, as she more or less has to love in her ride thanks to having to more or less live in her car until she finds out what happened pt her missing roommate. The demo is enough of a solid tease to make me stop here and let the developer tale the floor for a bit: Well, after the trailer and below the jump.

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Meet people. Learn their stories. Stay human!

From the Neo Cab app, you’ll choose your passengers and navigate the city grid. Connect and converse with them as you drive to their destination. You’ll need to maintain your perfect rating to stay on the road. Balance your monetary needs and the needs of your passengers with your own emotional wellbeing. What’s more important: your mental health or your star rating?

Connect with your pax: Find ways to connect with passengers. Each has their own story to tell.

Uncover the secrets of Los Ojos: Lina’s best course for survival is to keep driving. Piece together what has happened to Savy as you help Lina navigate the city grid.

Balance your own emotional needs with that of your pax: Each passenger interaction will affect Lina’s mood and it’s up to you to manage their emotional wellbeing. Balance Lina’s monetary needs, the necessity for a five-star rating, and the needs of pax with what feels right.

Find your own route: Neo Cab features a branching narrative with pax stories written by Leigh Alexander, Kim Belair, Bruno Dias, Duncan Fyfe, Paula Rogers & Robin Sloan.

I can’t give it a review score yet, but if the demo build is any indication, it’s going to do well when I do get a full review code.

-GW