Neva was officially announced by Nomada Studio and Devolver Digital last year. Described as an emotionally gripping action-adventure game, Neva is the newest title from the talented team behind GRIS.
After spending the last two weeks playing through the story, I can honestly say that Neva has exceeded my expectations in every way imaginable. It’s a riveting experience and a perfect example of why studios don’t always need a massive budget to make an outstanding game. Here are more of my thoughts on why you should check out this game.
The Journey Of A Lifetime
Neva tells the story of a young woman named Alba and the unbreakable bond that she shares with her adorable wolf named Neva. The duo embarks on a dangerous journey across a dying world consumed by an unrelenting dark entity. As they continue to explore the world and battle various corrupted creatures and animals, their bond and desire to protect each other grows stronger. Their journey continues across all four seasons and we see Neva grow from a cub to an adult wolf.
The central theme behind Neva delivers a heartfelt message about taking care of your own and growing together amidst the uncertain dangers of the surrounding world. The concept of this game came to fruition while we were involved in the global pandemic. All of the darkness and losses affected everyone to a certain extent. This game proves that despite the trials and tribulations of everyday life, we can find new reasons to live a meaningful life by being there for the ones we love.
Breathtaking Visuals
Neva feels a lot like a watercolor painting come to life. The wide array of colors and emphasis on lights and dark pulls you deeper into the world and all the events that transpire in real-time. The character models are also intricately designed and scaled perfectly against the backdrop of a massive environment.
The game looks beautiful from top to bottom and I didn’t encounter any graphical hiccups or bugs throughout my playthrough. The animations were smooth and felt very much in sync during the peaceful and intense moments of the adventure. As of this writing, Neva is also Steam Deck verified for those who might want to experience this game on the go.
Seamlessly Evolving Gameplay
When it comes to Neva, the overall gameplay experience is a lot more advanced than GRIS was. Alba can move, jump, double jump, climb, dodge, and call out for Neva when in need. In addition to this, she also has a sword that can be used in combat scenarios in the form of front-facing slash attacks and downward thrust moves from above. As you progress deeper in the game, some of these moves are unlocked along with the ability to hurl Neva toward enemies and items in hard-to-reach areas.
Another thing that I love about Neva is how it incorporates traversal and light puzzle-solving mechanics into different portions of the game. While jumping and dashing from one platform to another, you’ll be tested by obstacles and enemies that will get in your way. There are also quite a few boss battles that allow you to hone your skills even further and these were both fun and challenging in their own right. Attacking enemies quickly restores health and healing cairns throughout the environment can be used at your disposal. Lastly, there are collectible hidden flowers throughout the game and a chapter select option that allows you to revisit any area and uncover every secret.
A Memorable Adventure
The musical score is spectacular and successfully captures the emotional highs and lows. Alba’s cries for Neva and the wolf’s growls at enemies and whimpering for aid are the only dialogue cues needed to convey their relationship. If you’re a parent and experienced the love that a child or pet can bring then you’ll feel right at home with this game. The simple fact that the music aligns with the drama adds more weight to the story it makes it feel even more memorable.
Rounding out the accessibility options, Neva has two difficulty modes: Adventure mode and Story mode. Adventure mode is the way the game was intended to be played. Story mode offers more assistance with platforming challenges and is designed for those who want to experience the story at a less challenging pace. Neva should take roughly 5 hours to complete but slightly longer if you miss any collectibles and decide to go back.
Final Verdict
Neva is arguably one of the most invigorating action-adventure games this year and some of Nomada Studios’ best work. At the perfect price of $19.99, you’ll be hard-pressed to find any new game as well-made and emotionally impactful as this one.
This review was written based on a digital review copy of Neva for Xbox Series X provided by Nomada Studio and Devolver Digital.
