Neva also dramatically improves gameplay versus GRIS with satisfying combat and platforming.
My only major grip is that the journey is simply over too soon.
Now, the follow-up title from indie developer Nomada Studio is here, and it exceeds my expectations.
Neva begins with our guardians witnessing the fall of a flock of birds from the sky.
This review was made possible thanks to a review code provided by Devolver Digital.
The company had no input nor saw the contents of this review prior to publication.
What is Neva?
Like GRIS, Neva is a short adventure that shouldn’t take more than five hours to complete.
The soundtrack is also excellent.
Every single moment is gorgeous, and it was hard not to take approximately 400 screenshots.
Neva begins with our guardians witnessing the fall of a flock of birds from the sky.
As a game, Neva actually surprised me with the depth of its gameplay.
There are the beginnings of an excellent Metroidvania platformer here, and that’s not an exaggeration.
GRIS was an experience, but Nevaalsomanages to be a simply fun game.
Alba and Neva have to work together to overcome the monstrous creatures in their path.
FInally, there’s the story.
Alba and Neva are connected through their shared trauma, the loss of Neva’s parent.
Where GRIS is filled with symbology and metaphors, Neva is a little more direct in its narrative delivery.
Rather than succumb to their grief, Alba and Neva find new strength in each other.
It’s a beautiful story that ends as it begins, and it’ll make you cry.
Well, it at least mademecry.
Neva strikes a great balance between the two.
I can’t imagine how it felt waking up at this moment and realizing you couldn’t save your best friend.(Image credit: Windows Central)
This is not a title for those actively seeking a new 10+ hour long adventure.
Visually and narratively I expected nothing less from Nomada Studio, which upped its game considerably.
Alba must care for Neva, and we get to watch him grow throughout the game.(Image credit: Windows Central)
In the beginning, Neva is a care-free puppy that runs wild.(Image credit: Windows Central)
But, like all children, Neva also needs care and affection to thrive.(Image credit: Windows Central)
Neva does an excellent job showing this growth in a short period of time.(Image credit: Windows Central)
At times, Neva and Alba become separated and must find their way back to each other.(Image credit: Windows Central)
Neva begins with tragedy, and I wish we had more time to explore what this corruption is.
Regardless of its length, Neva is a game that will stay with me for a very long time.
