Neva Gets New Update for December 2024

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Summary

  • Neva’s recent Accessibility Update allows players to skip chase sequences and improve platforming mechanics.
  • The update includes features like adjustable grain intensity, high-contrast tutorials, language selection, and a wolf bark indicator.
  • Nomada Studio aims to enhance players’ gameplay experience by implementing visibility enhancements and fixing various issues.

As a seasoned gamer with over three decades of experience under my belt, I must say that the latest update for this game has truly been a game-changer. The accessibility features they’ve implemented are nothing short of brilliant, catering to players with various abilities and preferences.

The latest update for the game Neva is now available, offering numerous enhancements to its user experience, bug corrections, and additional modifications to this acclaimed independent game. Since its debut, developer Nomada Studio has consistently rolled out minor updates for Neva.

2024 saw Neva, widely recognized as one of the top indie games, make its debut. This single-player puzzle platformer captivated critics in October with its compelling narrative and engaging gameplay. Powered by Unity, this side scroller invites players to guide Alba, accompanied by her wolf companion Neva, through four seasons as they vanquish ominous creatures of the night from the world. An upcoming significant update for the game aims to enhance player experience by incorporating a variety of new features and more.

Due to the recent Accessibility Update for Neva, players now have the option to bypass the game’s three chase sequences directly from the pause menu when engaged in Story Mode. The most recent update also fine-tuned aspects such as the transforming flower platforms in Chapter 2 to enhance accessibility. Furthermore, features like adjustable grain intensity, high-contrast tutorials, and a warning signal for wolf barks have been incorporated.

As a gamer, I’m stoked about the updates! For instance, they’ve added PlayStation 5 DualSense controller functions on PC, which is awesome news for cross-platform gamers like me. Additionally, they’ve improved visibility in Alba, making it less likely for players to lose sight of the character – a feature that should make the gameplay smoother and more immersive. The team behind this, Nomada Studio, who have previously crafted the visually stunning adventure game Gris, has tackled several accessibility issues in their latest update. One of these was a problem where the wolf would get stuck after an interaction – kudos to them for fixing that!

At The Game Awards 2024, the title “Neva” triumphed over other notable contenders such as “Closer the Distance”, “Indika”, “Life is Strange: Double Exposure”, “Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2”, and “Tales of Kenzara: Zau” to claim the prestigious Games for Impact award. Previously, “Gris” had also received this honor. This recognition is typically bestowed upon games that delve into thought-provoking themes and convey positive social messages or ideas. According to The Game Awards, titles like these are chosen due to their ability to inspire, move, and resonate with players. In a statement issued following “Neva’s” win, Nomada Studio expressed its continued commitment to creating games with powerful narratives that have a lasting impact on players.

Adrian Cuevas, a partner at Nomada Studio and their technical lead, previously shared that the game Neva concentrates on parenting and developmental phases. Moreover, he disclosed that the 1997 Studio Ghibli film Princess Mononoke had an impact on the design of the Devolver Digital-released game, particularly in terms of its character designs. Other sources of inspiration for Neva encompassed The Last Guardian and the artworks of Oscar-Claude Monet, a famous French painter and the founder of Impressionism.

Neva December 2024 Accessibility Update Patch Notes

Changes

  • Input plugin updated (please try TRC input related things)
  • Add dual sense features to PC (you need to install DualSenseX for the speaker to work, but triggers/light should be there)
  • Change chapter selection menu: Total collectibles will be visible only when you have reached the last part of the chapter. Otherwise, a ? is shown
  • Add a climb tutorial movement, as some people didn’t know you can climb up. It waits a bit before showing in case you don’t need it. It’s located right after the climb tutorial.
  • In Chapter 3 Part 1, if you first go to the right, complete the area, and head to the ruins area, the black wolf will go towards the direction of the next goal instead of going back to the center. Before it was going in the opposite direction and could be confusing for players
  • In Chapter 3 Part 1, after unlocking the totem, the wolf will Bark to the ghost enemy and both Tackle and Call Neva will be blocked, showing that the only way to advance is by hitting the enemy with the sword.

Fixes

  • Fix issue at the beginning of Chapter 2 Part 1 where the wolf could get stuck doing an interaction (Videos/Fixes_2A_WolfStuck.mp4). This could happen also in the interaction on the right where the wolf drinks water
  • Move respawn point in Final Birds Arena just before lotus in Chapter 2 Part 1, to avoid tricky respawn glitch.
  • Move respawn point at Chapter 2 Part 2 so we don’t respawn invisible inside the fog
  • Fix two suns showing up before the deer battle.
  • Fix small controller rumble when loading Chapter 3 Part 1 that shouldnt be there.
  • Fix boulder enemy not resetting the block orientation on flinch when doing a hammer attack. (Videos/Fixes_3A_BoulderHammer.mp4)
  • Add some movement when the boulder enemy is grabbed by the wolf (Videos/Fixes_3A_BoulderGrab.mp4), before it was playing the animation in place
  • Fix Neva popping instead of fading in.
  • Move respawn point of right collectible Arena in 3A so it’s closer to the encounter if you die
  • Fix camera in encounter in lake area, Chapter 3 Part 1, where player was not visible in the reflection. (Videos/Fixes_3A_OutOfMirror.mp4)
  • Improve Collider shape in ruins Chapter 3 Part 1
  • Fix collision next to reach collectible in Chapter 3 Part 2
  • Add some assets to 3B after queen elevator to mark the path to the player

New features – Accessibility

  • In Story Mode only, you can skip the three chase sequences from the pause menu:
    • Chapter 1, Part 2
    • The end of Chapter 2, Part 1
    • The ride chase sequence at the end of Chapter 3, Part 1

Graphics Menu Updates

  • Added an option to adjust grain intensity.

Accessibility Menu Options

  • Language Selection: Change the language from an in-game menu.
  • High-Contrast Tutorials: Features less transparency, with larger and bold font.
  • Wolf Bark Indicator: Shows both on-screen and off-screen when the wolf is barking, helpful for players with hearing impairments.
  • Player Always Visible: Alba will always remain visible (with slight transparency) to ensure players don’t lose sight of her.

Accessible Platform Mechanics

  • Chapter 2, Part 2: Flowers will stay open longer.
  • Chapter 3, Part 1:
    • Invisible platforms that appear upon landing will now always be slightly visible.
    • The ghost enemy after the totem will propel you higher when defeated, making the platforming section easier.

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2024-12-19 12:13