Title: NEVA
Developer: Nomada Studio
Publisher: Digital Devolver
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch
Release Date: October 15, 2024
Price: $19.99
There are certain moments when a debut game can make a developer become a household name.
Sometimes, a debut game can surprise players or even a community. There are even debut games that just come out of nowhere and become word of mouth. Nomada Studio’s debut title Gris is that word-of-mouth game. With its hand-drawn graphics and beautiful depiction of a colorless world, Gris became an instant classic.
NEVA is Nomada Studio’s second game and it continues its streak of beautiful games with minimal storytelling. Does it capture the same magic that Gris does, or could it be a title you NEVA want to visit?
Synopsis
You play as Alma, a protector and mother to Neva and her mom. While there is peace in the colorful and quiet forest, a bird falls to the ground and dies, which produces black flowers. As Alma goes to see what happens, more birds fall to the ground and a black force of destruction comes. While Alma is prepared to fight, all is lost, leaving Alma and Neva to stop and destroy the darkness that has ravaged the forest.
NEVA tells a story through cutscenes and small visual and emotional moments without saying a word. Alma and Neva encounter many challenges, which allow the story to affect each character in shocking ways. The story may remind you of the Studio Ghibli Academy Award-winning film Spirited Away with elements taken from Princess Mononoke. I assure you this story has a lot of twists and turns until the end of the game.
Gameplay
In NEVA, Alma can attack with her sword, double jump, dash in the air, a downward thrust, and dodge roll on the ground. You can also pet Neva and call her to hear where she is located when far away. For Neva herself, as you start new chapters in the game, she will receive a new ability that will help you attack and solve puzzles. Everything is straightforward and since there are only four chapters, there aren’t many changes in the gameplay.
That being said, the controls are tight and responsive. With a lock frame rate, I didn’t experience any drops, stutters, or freezing while playing the 4- to 5-hour experience. Once you learn the patterns and how to counter them, the battles become easier. If not, you’ll have to do some areas over but luckily, the checkpoints are forgiving and well-used. Lastly, you only get three hits before you see black flowers cover you. You can recover a hit if you get 6 hits on a enemy. It doesn’t have to be consistent but you have to keep up with the flow of battle.
Graphics
Nomada Studio has outdone itself. With the bold and colorful paint aesthetic look, NEVA doesn’t use any shadows. The look of NEVA will make you think of a Bob Ross painting come to life with the incorporation of Ghost of Tsushima gorgeous fields being the inspiration used for the background and foreground with a hint of Samurai Jack art style at certain points. The use of greens, pinks, red, yellows, and in a terrifying manner, black and white make NEVA a colorful and emotional journey.
The movement in the background is minimal but when the camera zooms out to show the full picture, you see how the lighting is used in an area or the mountain that resides in the back as you climb a wall for a minute to get to a new section of the level.
One of the problems I had with the graphics is that some areas are hard to see due to the brightness. Some of the camera usage is executed in the wrong way. Also, there are times that you can’t see Alma and Neva when it’s too foggy or dark. Other than that, you will be astounded by the artwork in this game.
Final Score (5 out of 5 Stars)
With its gorgeous art, tight controls, a top-tier soundtrack from Bernlinist, and a short playtime, NEVA is a beautiful game that will leave a lasting impression after you roll the credits. Nomada Studios have another classic on their hands and you can NEVA take that away.
Feature Image: Nomada Studio
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