Neo Cab
A visual novel about driving, emotions, and a missing friend.
Neo Cab is a 2019 video game from developer Chance Agency and publisher Fellow Traveller. It launched for iOS, macOS, and tvOS via Apple Arcade on September 19, 2019, followed by Windows and Nintendo Switch on October 3, 2019. Players take on the role of Lina, a driver for a ride-hailing company, who begins investigating the mysterious disappearance of her friend Savy while ferrying passengers.
The story starts with Lina moving from her hometown of Cactus Flats to the tech-heavy city of Los Ojos, planning to live with Savy—an old friend she hasn't spoken to since a big argument years earlier. After a brief reunion, Savy mentions work troubles and gives Lina a FeelGrid, a smartwatch-like device that shows a color reflecting the wearer's emotions. After a few hours of picking up fares, Savy texts Lina for an urgent pickup, then vanishes. In the background, a movement pushes to replace all human drivers with driverless cars from a corporation called Capra—the same company that fired Lina after switching to autonomous vehicles. Many passenger conversations touch on a proposed law to ban driving following a ballet dancer's death in a car accident.
Game Informer describes the gameplay as a "visual novel mixed with survival aspects." Player choices during conversations drive the story, affecting Lina's mood as shown on the FeelGrid. Her emotional state then influences available dialogue options and whether she'll accept another passenger. Players must also manage the car's fuel and Lina's cash.
Critics at Destructoid and PC Gamer noted the game tackles many topics in its short runtime. Rock, Paper, Shotgun and Game Informer found the ending underwhelming, though most reviewers enjoyed the overall experience, especially the passengers and their conversations. Rock, Paper, Shotgun specifically wished for a free-play mode to keep driving without the main story.
Neo Cab won 'Best Narrative Design' at IndieCade 2019. It was also nominated for 'Game Beyond Entertainment' at the 16th British Academy Games Awards and in the 'Special Class' category at the 2019 NAVGTR Awards.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Neo Cab
- Developer
- Chance AgencyAdditional work by Sweet Baby Inc.
- Publisher
- Fellow Traveller
- Platforms
- Windows / macOS / Nintendo Switch / iOS / tvOS
- Released
- iOS, macOS, tvOS / September 19, 2019 / Windows, Nintendo Switch / October 3, 2019
- Genre
- Visual novel
- Producer
- Patrick Ewing / Felix Kramer
- Engine
- Unity
- Modes
- Single-player
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The game opens with Lina moving from her hometown, Cactus Flats, to the technological metropolis Los Ojos. She plans to live with Savy, an old friend she hasn't spoken to in years after a large argument. Lina briefly meets Savy, who gives her a FeelGrid—a smartwatch-like device that displays a color corresponding to the wearer's emotions—and says she is having trouble at work. After Lina picks up passengers for a few hours, Savy texts that she needs to be picked up immediately, then disappears. Simmering in the background is a movement to replace all drivers with driverless cars owned by a corporation called Capra; Lina was previously fired by Capra after they replaced their rideshare with autonomous vehicles. Many conversations with passengers revolve around a proposed law to outlaw driving after a famous ballet dancer was killed by a car.
Reader's Guide
Neo Cab is driven by the choices the player makes when talking to passengers. Those choices and the flow of conversation change Lina's mood, as displayed on the FeelGrid. Her emotional state affects which dialogue options are available and whether she is willing to pick up another passenger. Players must also manage the car's fuel level and Lina's money. Critics noted that the game discusses many topics during its short playthrough. Rock, Paper, Shotgun and Game Informer found the ending underwhelming, but most reviewers enjoyed the game overall, particularly the passengers and conversations. Rock, Paper, Shotgun wished for a free play mode to continue picking up passengers without the main story. The game won Best Narrative Design at IndieCade 2019 and was nominated for Game Beyond Entertainment at the 16th British Academy Games Awards and in the Special Class category at the 2019 NAVGTR Awards.
Did You Know?
- The game was released for Apple Arcade on September 19, 2019, and for Windows and Nintendo Switch on October 3, 2019.
- Neo Cab won the award for Best Narrative Design at IndieCade 2019.
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