A game featuring a legendary gunslinger

Dust & Neon is a free-to-download top-down action game by Netflix, Inc. Set in a dystopian, futuristic Wild West, you play as a robotic gunslinger who is created by Dr. Finkel to fight life-threatening robots that, in the past, helped and lived in harmony with humans. Weapons like revolvers and skill upgrades are available, so your character has an edge against these villainous cyborgs.

In Dust & Neon, exploration is rewarding since you can obtain better weapons, earn cash, and even find ammo boxes and health stations. However, a Netflix account is needed to play this game.

Defeat enemies and upgrade skills

Dust & Neon—a roguelike title—is a cross between science fiction and the Wild West, which is a refreshing take on Western-themed games. Once you start the app, you’ll be asked to sign into your Netflix account and select a save slot. You can choose between “NORMAL” or “EASY” mode, though players can’t adjust the difficulty once they begin the game. The controls, however, can’t be remapped—which is a huge disappointment.

In that regard, the controls take getting used to since you can accidentally touch the switch weapon and the roll button. Aiming with your weapon is also a bit challenging since the bullets tend to miss the target, putting you at a disadvantage against frenetic enemy encounters. On the bright side, though, you’ll gain access to both offensive and defensive skill sets as you increase your rank.

These skills range from the health-increasing “MASSIVE HEART” to “REVOLVER AMMO,” which increases your chances of finding revolver ammo by 25%. As you upgrade your gunslinger’s skills, you’ll be more confident about eliminating enemies that come your way—making the game less punishing to the point that you feel like the boss of the Wild West, provided that you have a masterful grasp of the controls and mechanics.

Fun game with iffy controls

Whether you want a fresh new twist on Western games or love roguelike titles, you can’t go wrong with Dust & Neon. Although the game is enjoyable, it’s disheartening to know that it doesn’t offer control remapping options for ease of play. Weapon aiming is challenging, too, as you’re more likely to miss your shots. However, this title rewards exploration as this equates to cash and weapons.