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Neo Harbor Rescue Squad is a frantic hybrid title that will appeal to lovers of medical simulators and visual novels. The funny but short story will make you chuckle. However, it is the seemingly never-ending mini-games that will have you hooked. Every day is a challenge and you must think fast if you wish to succeed.
This action simulation experience was developed and published by BancyCo. Moreover, it is a single-player and colourful game to play. If you have tackled the Trauma franchise, many aspects of this game will be familiar. Yet, it lacks the depth and refinement of those titles and that may disappoint.
Neo Harbor Rescue Squad: a tale of recognition.
Neo Harbor Rescue Squad makes you play the role of a rookie paramedic. As you start at the bottom, you have plenty to learn. Whether it is your bedside manner, cleaning the equipment, or patching up patients, there is plenty to do. However, it is the not-so-friendly competition with the local firefighters that gets you hot under the collar. Sadly, your team does not get the recognition they deserve. Consequently, you must prove your worth and make the city acknowledge everything you do.
This story is presented in short, sharp cinematic. If this doesn’t interest you, you can skip through it without impacting your progression. Yet, I would advise watching the snappy and often amusing interactions. The characters and their funny ways will make you chuckle. Furthermore, the rivalry between each department was fascinating to watch.
So many patients and so many games.
As the story rolls on, you are expected to tackle an array of mini-games. Bandaging cuts, removing glass, cleaning wounds, CPR, and much more are thrown at the rookie paramedic. The hellish list of tasks can feel overwhelming. Moreover, the different inputs and methods of working can be confusing. This was disappointing as it feels as if you are being punished for not understanding the job at hand.
If you can put that issue to one side, you’ll enjoy a fun-filled medical-based gaming experience. The ability to perform little tasks was great. Additionally, the game evolves nicely to keep things fresh. I adored the silly missions and the rather absurd storyline. What’s more, the rapid-fire tasks were nicely varied and this tested plenty of skills.
Neo Harbor Rescue Squad looks fantastic.
This genre of game is always a visual spectacle. The vibrant colours and crisp imagery are a joy to look at. What’s more, I loved the simple but effective depiction of each injury. Though there is gore and uncomfortable elements, the gameplay can be enjoyed by older children. The developer has avoided a gruesome affair and instead has focused on loud Anime/Manga imagery. This was a great decision as it prevented the story and gameplay from becoming too morbid and uncomfortable.
The audio is slightly understated by comparison. The music and sound effects have a dramatic effect, but they weren’t as powerful or overwhelming as I expected. Instead, the developer allowed the sound effects and imagery to enhance the drama. Though this worked, I expected things to be more OTT and in your face.
The controls could have been better.
The UI and control system are easy to understand. Sadly, you get little time to prepare for each mission and this can cause confusion and unnecessary frustration. Yet, once you know what you are doing, this rarely holds you back. However, there are times when you try to execute each command and nothing happens. This was strange and I was left wondering what I had done wrong and how I could rectify the situation.
Each stage is scored based on your performance. If you save every person and make no mistakes, you will get the highest rank possible. Yet, if people die or you make errors, this will drop like a stone. Consequently, you’ll return to beat your score on each level. This was a simple way to enhance replay value and longevity.
Neo Harbor Rescue Squad is fun but slightly flawed.
If you want a deep and challenging medical simulator, Neo Harbor Rescue Squad isn’t for you. However, if you want a fun story with interesting characters and short, sharp levels, then this will tick those boxes. The gameplay is easy to understand and moving between the levels takes no time at all. Furthermore, the mini-games are enjoyable when they work. Though it didn’t blow me away, I enjoyed it and I recommend buying it here! Can you get the recognition you deserve? Grab your gear, head to each mission, and help everyone you see.
