Nomada Studio’sGriswasone of the most visually arresting gamesI had played in some time. Its watercolor-esque, seemingly hand-painted visuals were something to behold and its simplistic gameplay allowed for a game that was easier to take in. Nomada’s follow-up toGris,Neva, adds combat to the mix and is therefore a more intense affair, but its beauty and emotion still come through just as strongly.
Neva Raises the Stakes Through Combat and Precise Platforming
I was able to play roughly the first 40 minutes ofNevaand came away impressed. The game feels like asmart evolution ofGris, with a similar approach to puzzle platforming but with tense moments of combat thrown in. Those stakes are further raised by the addition of Neva, the titular white wolf that accompanies the player character, Alba, on her journey. During my demo, I was immediately reminded ofThe Last Guardian, in that Alba must “coax” Neva to progress at times, usually by either calling it or petting it. Neva might not be as stubborn, but you’re able to see how the gameplay reinforces the idea that Alba is forming a bond with the wolf, and as a result, the player is creating their connection with the two.
So whenNeva, Alba, or both were thrown into peril, the intensity ramps up as well. At various points in the demo, a set of creepy black beings with absurdly long limbs (almost like branches) would hinder Alba’s progress or block Neva from following her. It was up to me to find a way to jump, dash, and air dash through obstacles to eventually destroy the alien enemies and free Neva’s path forward. Oftentimes, it was merely a matter of making a few jumps, but the platforming did get a bit tricky as the demo went on.
The mixture of Nomada’s signature art style and the way this alien, black branch-like goo destroyed or distorted the environment makesNevaan impressive game to look at. Even as Alba and Neva are simply moving forward, the game paints a picture that will encourage players to take lots of screenshots.
Neva is an Indie Game to Keep an Eye On
The demo concluded with a boss fight against a large foe with varying attacks that required Alba to jump and dodge before getting a few sword slashes in. There was a level of timing necessary to succeed that upped the excitement, but also showcased whereNevacan go as Alba’s skills evolve. It was something completely different from the previous segments of the demo, allowing the precise platforming to shine in a new way as well. Needless to say, after defeating the boss, I was hooked and sadly, the demo ended there.
More people should playGris, but for those that have Neva looks to be an exciting evolution of what made Nomada Studio’s first game so memorable. The introduction of combat is what stood out most to me, along with some tricky platforming sections, but there’s no doubt that the titular character is where the game will shine the most.In the firstNevatrailer, you can see that Neva becomes more than a bystander in Alba’s journey, and one has to expect that her inclusion will result in at least one emotional moment. From the very first opening intro, Neva establishes that it wants to pull on your heartstrings in a lot of different ways, and even based on this short demo it’s hard to see Nomada not pulling it off.
Neva
WHERE TO PLAY
Neva is an emotionally-charged action adventure from the visionary team behind the critically acclaimed GRIS.Neva chronicles the story of Alba, a young woman bound to a curious wolf cub following a traumatic encounter with dark forces. Together they embark on a perilous journey through a once-beautiful world as it slowly decays around them.Over time, their relationship will evolve as they learn to work together, helping one another to brave increasingly dangerous situations. The wolf will grow from a rebellious cub to an imposing adult seeking to forge her own identity, testing Alba’s love and their commitment to one another.As the cursed world threatens to overwhelm them, Alba and her courageous companion will do whatever it takes to survive and make a new home, together.
