Trying to Overcome the Lack of Voice Acting in Neo Cab

Neo Cab immediately caught my eye when it was first revealed in 2019. It’s a visual novel where players take on the role of Lina, who is a cab driver in a future where automated cars have become the norm. Besides driving customers to their destinations and having conversations with them along the way, you’re also in the midst of trying to solve the mystery behind your friend’s disappearance.

Thus far, I’m really liking what I’ve played. However, there’s one production quirk that I still find jarring every time I step into my car: the lack of voice acting.

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Florence Review (Nintendo Switch Version)

The story of two hearts colliding is one that’s explored to great effect in virtually every medium. Except gaming. For numerous reasons, the medium has been slow to create experiences around the themes of love and romance beyond more juvenile dating simulators or bolting on elements of romantic relationships into established genres. As much as I love headshots, juggle combos, and stacking blocks, I’ve always felt like there was a whole world of possibilities that could arise when combining the interactive elements of gaming with the themes of love and romance.

Originally released on mobile in 2018, Florence takes a clever approach to bringing a love story to life within the boundaries of gaming. Though I meant to play it at the time, I didn’t get around to it until it was released on the Nintendo Switch in February 2020. The experience of playing through it has weighed heavily on my heart ever since.

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