It’s hard to say anything other than that this is a true masterpiece. From the excellent cinematic atmosphere, unique art style, and beautiful graphics to the impressive animation, compelling story, and meaningful gameplay, it’s all present in the latest work by the renowned Nomada Studio. Following the success of GRIS, Nomada Studio once again delights us with its striking style, while Neva has introduced an additional element of combat and action.
The game follows a young woman named Alba and her lifelong bond with a majestic wolf as they traverse a world slowly dying across four seasons. Right from the opening moments, the game shows us the symbolism of life’s transience, intergenerational care through a narratively rich experience, and the idea that the world, in time, is always reborn.
However, let’s be honest, the gameplay is not revolutionary. It is based on classic platforming and combat principles that extend throughout the playthrough, with occasional minor improvements and new ways to traverse certain levels. The beginning of the game offers simple mechanics; you use a sword and roll to evade enemies, and as the levels progress, your relationship with the wolf grows. Later in the game, you can command the wolf, use its skills in combat, and perform various platforming acrobatics. The only minor complaint is the game’s length; if there was any running involved, it might be even shorter. But on the other hand, its narrative structure resembles a film with its clear introduction, plot, and conclusion.
Besides jumping through beautiful landscapes, such as the winter wonderlands that particularly delighted me, the game also introduces some creative mechanics. Ice, for example, acts like a mirror that shows you the direction of movement, places to jump, and enemy locations, creating a tense build-up toward the final boss. Throughout the game, you will encounter diverse opponents and mini-bosses—from real animals to dark, corrupted creatures with unique attack styles. Of course, this won’t be to everyone’s liking, especially since not all enemies are easy to defeat, but you will learn their attack patterns.
Essentially, the game is a simple hack-and-slash with light puzzle elements, and like any platformer, it occasionally brings minor frustrations. Still, you will always quickly return to the spot where you fell, which further eases the gameplay itself. New elements are introduced gradually to maintain the game’s dynamic, and you are left to choose the mode you want to play, whether you want to focus on the story and avoid combat elements or dive into a challenging adventure experience. Personally, I recommend approaching this title as an adventure, because when you combine all the elements, it makes perfect sense.
Aesthetically, Neva stands out with its richness of colors and landscapes, where each season is characterized by special tones, spring hues, for instance, are bright and optimistic, while autumn brings darker tones that signal a transition into a more complex and demanding phase. This intense palette visually accompanies the changes in the narrative, further emphasizing the thematic shifts in the story. Each season symbolizes a part of the story, and this simple approach to the narrative allows emotions to be more important without the need for words.
One very charming thing in the game is that you can pet your wolf at any time, call him, and establish a special connection in various ways. If you enjoyed GRIS and want a more diverse and exciting experience, Neva will certainly be to your liking. Expect equally enchanting visuals and music, but with an emphasis on combat that brings new, interesting mechanics related to Neva (the wolf), as well as a greater variety of puzzles and collectibles. Yes, you can collect collectible flowers and little birds, which you will reach through various platforming challenges, which is not always an easy task. Ultimately, this is an exceptional work that deserves to be recognized as something new and different compared to this studio’s previous title.
Review copy provided by the publisher
