As I delved into the captivating world of Neva, I felt like I was transported back to my childhood days, where every adventure held an element of fear and excitement. The game’s unique blend of platforming puzzles, combat sequences, and emotional storytelling had me hooked from the very beginning.
Gris is a captivating adventure-platformer, often used as a prime example when debating whether video games can be considered art. With this game, Nomada Studio successfully crafted the title they envisioned, and its beauty, emotion, and depth were greatly enhanced as a result. Similarly, their upcoming game, Neva, is a project close to Nomada’s heart, and with support from Devolver Digital, the studio has devoted time to create another masterpiece that promises to be beautiful, evocative, and profound.
At a recent gathering in Barcelona, Spain, Game Rant experienced a 30-minute sneak peek of the game titled “Neva“. The previous preview focused on the initial 40 minutes of the game, whereas this one showcased the second chapter. In the story, the main character, a white wolf named “Neva“, has matured and become more inquisitive than she was as a pup. Simultaneously, Alba continues to be her guide throughout this adventure. The developers, who are parents themselves, have designed “Neva” to emphasize the growth of a child and the bond between a child and their caregiver. Unlike “Gris“, which explored the five stages of grief and added color to a gray world, “Neva” delves into the purity and innocence of children growing up in a deteriorating, decaying environment.
Neva is a Sight to Behold
Anyone accustomed to the art style of Gris will find a familiar ambiance in Neva, as they share a strong artistic bond. Each stage is meticulously hand-drawn at Nomada, ensuring consistency across both games. Yet, unlike its counterpart, Neva seems less subdued and more expressive, though not necessarily offering a cheerful gameplay experience. The world of Neva, however, is in peril, with adversaries taking the form of a fluid resembling Marvel’s Symbiote, spreading destruction across levels and occasionally targeting Neva and Alba. As Alba, players are compelled to shield Neva, but it’s important to note that Neva isn’t just passive; she too can grow and defend herself.
Initially, Neva needed guidance, assistance, and encouragement to navigate through the perilous surroundings. Now, however, she was no longer dependent on us. Not only had she grown larger, but she also exhibited a heightened curiosity. Frequently, she’d bark and dash forward, leading us to believe she wanted us to trail behind. But she’d often vanish, only to reappear later gnawing on one of the adversaries. At times, she did want us to follow her. She was inquisitive, explorative, and compassionate, keeping us guessing with each action much like a parent and child relationship. Although she’s not yet fully grown or strong, she still contributes significantly during battles.
As a fan, I found that Neva’s combat is relatively straightforward – a single button press sends Alba swinging her sword in the chosen direction, capable of delivering downward attacks, back attacks, and more. Nomada shared that they wanted to use combat as a means to further explore the bond between Alba and Neva, emphasizing Alba’s unwavering dedication to protect Neva at all costs. Playing alongside her, I felt like we were teaming up in a cooperative game, with Neva providing valuable assistance against regular enemies. When it came to boss-like encounters, she was particularly helpful.
The expansion of Neva harmoniously mirrors the changing seasons, with each season embodying its fundamental aspect of growth. This particular segment portrays summer, a time that symbolizes joy and freedom for children. It’s evident how Neva’s actions align with this theme, thereby establishing a captivating link between her story and the environment she inhabits.
Neva’s Combat and Puzzles Are More Challenging Than You Think
In simpler terms, the game Neva isn’t a Soulsvania title or overly difficult, but it does present its own set of challenges. The gameplay is designed to have you play against the deteriorating world around you. For instance, in one level, we were tasked with finding two orbs to summon a massive totem-like structure. Each orb needed us to solve puzzles involving platforming. A puzzle that initially appeared straightforward – jumping from platform to platform to reach the orb – became challenging when the game suddenly caused an earthquake mid-jump, separating the platforms further apart. As we progressed through this section, earthquakes occurred continuously, making every jump risky. These earthquakes were more random in other parts of the level, keeping us alert for each leap.
In another game with jumping and puzzle elements, we were tasked with reorganizing a miniature ruin complex. We needed to swiftly traverse from one end to the other to reach the peak, and multiple attempts were necessary to remember the precise sequence. A subsequent challenge combined these platforming puzzles: as shadows advanced and threatened to engulf us, we had to navigate an ascending, seismically unstable series of leaps.
Intertwined within these adventures is a tranquil, artistic journey through the land of Neva, yet there’s also battle involved. At times, Neva would handle some of them, while we would take care of others, and at other moments, we’d fight together. Battling enemies alongside Neva is an enjoyable experience, and her AI is exceptional in terms of gameplay. When it comes to defending against massive combinations of these enemies, we rely on dodging rolls to keep launching attacks. In a later encounter, we faced two of those, with Neva doing her best to keep one away from us while we fought the other. Since she’s still learning, there are instances when managing two of these enemies is necessary, even though one would suffice.
For players not concerned with Neva’s unique layout, there’s a story-focused gameplay option available. Yet, it’s important to mention that the standard setting awards Alba with three vitality points (or ‘hearts’). These can be replenished by attacking adversaries.
Additionally, there were airborne adversaries that demanded us to leap, dash in mid-air, and strike while ensuring our landing was either below or behind us. Besides attacking us with their swift approach to inflict harm, they could generate shockwaves on the ground which we had to jump over and evade. As the demo progressed, this task grew more difficult when we encountered multiple ones and eventually a relentless swarm of them.
In essence, Neva seems to build upon everything Gris offered, introduces an additional ally for interaction and conflict, and pushes those boundaries even further. It masterfully portrays the characteristics of a child and the parent-child bond, layers in concerns for their wellbeing in a dangerous and shifting environment, and maintains the same emotionally resonant atmosphere as Gris. If someone found Gris appealing, it’s likely they’ll find Neva equally, if not more, engaging.
On October 15th, Neva will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox Series X/S. Our team at Game Rant had the opportunity to preview the game thanks to travel and lodging arrangements provided for this purpose.
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2024-09-23 18:03