Neo Cab
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Neo Cab
| developer = Chance Agency{{efn|Additional work by Sweet Baby Inc.}}
| publisher = Fellow Traveller
| platforms = Windows
macOS
Nintendo Switch
iOS
tvOS
| released = iOS, macOS, tvOS
September 19, 2019{{Cite web |last=Thier |first=Dave |title=Apple Arcade Release Date And Game List: All The Games Coming To Apple's New Service At Launch |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidthier/2019/09/19/apple-arcade-release-date-and-game-list-all-the-games-coming-to-apples-new-service-at-launch/ |access-date=2024-05-02 |website=Forbes|language=en}}
Windows, Nintendo Switch
October 3, 2019
| genre = Visual novel
| image = Cover_of_Neo_Cab.jpg
| producer = Patrick Ewing
Felix Kramer
| engine = Unity
| modes = Single-player
}}
Neo Cab is a 2019 video game developed by Chance Agency and published by Fellow Traveller.{{cite web |url=https://www.destructoid.com/goodbye-volcano-high-delay-2022-sweet-baby-koop/ |title=Goodbye Volcano High has been placed in detention until 2022 |last=Moyse |first=Chris |work=Destructoid |publisher=Enthusiast Gaming |date=20 August 2021 |accessdate=7 March 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210819195355/https://www.destructoid.com/goodbye-volcano-high-delay-2022-sweet-baby-koop/ |archivedate=19 August 2021 |url-status=live }} It was originally released for iOS, macOS and tvOS as through Apple Arcade on September 19, 2019, as well as Windows and Nintendo Switch on October 3, 2019. In it, players role play as Lina, a driver for Neo Cab, a vehicle for hire service. After her friend Savy mysteriously disappears, Lina investigates the disappearance while picking up passengers.
Synopsis
The game opens with Lina moving from her hometown, Cactus Flats, to the technological metropolis Los Ojos. She has plans to live with Savy, an old friend she hasn't spoken to in years after they had a large argument. Lina briefly meets up with Savy, who says that she's having trouble at work and will meet up with her later. She also gives her a FeelGrid, a smartwatch-like device that displays a color corresponding to the emotions that the wearer is feeling. After Lina picks up passengers for a few hours, Savy texts her that she needs to be picked up right away, then disappears.{{Cite web|last=Hetfeld|first=Malindy|date=October 4, 2019|title=Neo Cab review|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/neo-cab-review/|access-date=August 12, 2020|website=PC Gamer|language=en-US}}
Simmering in the background is a movement to have all drivers replaced by driverless cars owned by a corporation called Capra. Lina had previously been fired by Capra after they replaced their rideshare with driverless cars. Many of the conversations she has with passengers are about a proposed law to outlaw driving after a famous ballet dancer was killed after being hit by a car.{{Cite web|title=Review: Neo Cab|url=https://www.destructoid.com/stories/review-neo-cab-569238.phtml|access-date=August 12, 2020|website=Destructoid|language=english}}
Gameplay
Game Informer calls Neo Cab a "visual novel mixed with survival aspects".{{Cite magazine|last=Wallace|first=Kimberley|title=Neo Cab Review – A Trip Of Fascinating Possibilities|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/review/neo-cab/neo-cab-review-a-trip-of-fascinating-possibilities|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004013039/https://www.gameinformer.com/review/neo-cab/neo-cab-review-a-trip-of-fascinating-possibilities|url-status=live|archive-date=October 4, 2019|access-date=August 12, 2020|magazine=Game Informer|language=en}} The game is driven by the choices that the player makes when talking to passengers. Those choices and the flow of the conversation then change Lina's mood, which is displayed on the Feelgrid. The way Lina is feeling changes which dialogue options are available, and whether she is willing to pick up another passenger. Players also have to manage the car's fuel level and how much money Lina has.
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| MC = NS: 75/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/neo-cab/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch|title=Neo Cab for Nintendo Switch Reviews |website=Metacritic|access-date=April 29, 2021}}
PC: 76/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/neo-cab/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|title=Neo Cab for PC Reviews |website=Metacritic|access-date=April 29, 2021}}
| NLife = 8/10{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/neo_cab|title=Mini Review: Neo Cab - A Memorable, Emotional Ride |website=Nintendo Life|date=October 15, 2019 |access-date=April 29, 2021}}
| GI = 8/10{{cite magazine |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/review/neo-cab/neo-cab-review-a-trip-of-fascinating-possibilities|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004013039/https://www.gameinformer.com/review/neo-cab/neo-cab-review-a-trip-of-fascinating-possibilities|url-status=live|archive-date=October 4, 2019|title=Neo Cab Review – A Trip Of Fascinating Possibilities |magazine=Game Informer|access-date=April 29, 2021}}
| GSpot = 7/10{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/neo-cab-review-taxi-cab-confessions/1900-6417324/|title=Neo Cab Review - Taxi Cab Confessions |website=GameSpot|access-date=April 29, 2021}}
| Destruct = 6/10{{cite web |url=https://www.destructoid.com/review-neo-cab-569238.phtml|title=Review: Neo Cab |website=Destructoid|access-date=April 29, 2021}}
| Edge = 7/10
| PCGUS = 79/100{{cite web |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/neo-cab-review/|title=NEO CAB REVIEW |website=PC Gamer|date=October 4, 2019 |access-date=April 29, 2021}}
}}
Destructoid and PC Gamer both pointed out that the game discussed quite a few topics during its short playthrough. Rock, Paper, Shotgun and Game Informer both found the ending underwhelming.{{Cite web|last=Bell|first=Alice|date=October 2, 2019|title=Wot I Think – Neo Cab|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2019/10/02/neo-cab-review/|access-date=August 12, 2020|website=Rock, Paper, Shotgun|language=en-US}} However, most of the above critics seemed to enjoy the game overall, especially the passengers and conversations with them. Rock, Paper, Shotgun in particular wished that there was a "free play mode" where one could continue picking up passengers without worrying about the main story.
= Awards =
Neo Cab won the award for 'Best Narrative Design' at IndieCade 2019.{{Cite web |title=AWARDS – 2019 – IndieCade |url=https://www.indiecade.com/awards-2019/ |access-date=April 30, 2023 |language=en-US}} It was also nominated for 'Game Beyond Entertainment' at the 16th British Academy Games Awards{{Cite web |title=2020 Games Game Beyond Entertainment {{!}} BAFTA Awards |url=http://awards.bafta.org/award/2020/games/game-beyond-entertainment |access-date=April 30, 2023 |website=awards.bafta.org}} and in the 'Special Class' category at the 2019 NAVGTR Awards.{{Cite web |title=2019 Winners {{!}} NAVGTR |url=https://navgtr.org/2019-winners/ |access-date=April 30, 2023 |language=en-US}}
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Notes
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References
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