As a seasoned gamer with a soft spot for the whimsical world of Studio Ghibli, Europa was a breath of fresh air that instantly captivated my heart. The game’s visuals and narrative evoke the enchanting charm of a Ghibli film, making it an absolute delight to explore the terraformed moon of Jupiter as Zee.
Among those who appreciate the charming Studio Ghibli animations, games that evoke similar atmospheres are highly enjoyable for me. Developed by Novadust Entertainment, Europa seems to embody the spirit of Ghibli in its narrative and visually appealing graphics. Although the jetpack-based exploration and puzzles offer a good dose of entertainment, some inconsistencies prevent it from becoming one I’d replay on a lazy, rainy afternoon.
Nothing that happens is ever forgotten
On Europa, you’ll take charge of a small android named Zee, exploring the lush, reimagined landscapes of Jupiter’s moon. Your mission as Zee is to search for your father Adam, unravel the enigma behind the disappearance of everyone, and sketch the unusual flora and fauna found here, while gathering various items along the way using your Zephyr jetpack.
In this game, I’m utterly captivated by the stunning visuals. Every scene feels like it could be plucked right from a Studio Ghibli movie. There’s an enchanting softness in the environment, the adorable creatures, and even the somewhat antagonistic robots that provide a touch of challenge on my adventure.
However, as much as I loved the aesthetic, the game too quickly shifted from a Ghibli-esque waterwheel farmhouse vibe to nothing but ancient ruins. It would have been so lovely to have more small towns or other wooden buildings to explore rather than endless stone structures and monoliths.
Listen to the voice of the wind, it carries a dream
In terms of adventure, Europa truly excels. Equipped with his reliable Zephyr jetpack, Zee can soar into the sky with a leap followed by graceful gliding and flight. To power up the jetpack, you’ll need to gather scattered blue, luminous energy throughout the surroundings.
While soaring through the skies, your gaze is naturally attracted to notable locations as you seek out the next boost in power. It’s a subtle ebb and flow, where you’ll momentarily lack energy, only for the game to provide a gentle recharge to sustain your progress.
However, there can be some frustrating parts with those dastardly robots I mentioned. While blue will recharge the jetpack, these robots and other hazards will hit you with purple energy, draining your power. Too often I was just enjoying the experience of exploring only to be knocked out of the air and grounded. At this point, I wasn’t able to take to the skies until I ran around and found the robot’s off switch.
Regardless of any inconvenient robots, the most that could occur on Europa is you’ll encounter setbacks or temporary delays. Fear not about Little Zee, though, as it will quickly recover and keep going. The advantage here is that the risk involved is minimal, and the spaces aren’t excessively large, making the experience less nerve-wracking and ensuring smooth gameplay progression. Should you wander a bit too far from the boundaries, there’s nothing to worry about – you’ll be effortlessly guided back into play like a leaf carried by the wind.
The wind is rising. We must try to live.
The exploration aspect is simply one piece of the overall gameplay experience; the other key element is solving challenges. These tasks primarily involve locating orbs in a given area to open doors, rearranging blocks to access higher platforms, and ones centered around platform navigation. Generally speaking, these tasks are relatively straightforward, aligning with the laid-back vibe that the game developers aim to create.
One developer, Helder Pinto (previously known for his work as Diablo 3’s art director), aimed to offer a change of rhythm in your gaming library, and they have certainly succeeded. The influences of games like Gris, Journey, and Abzu can be seen throughout the entire adventure, making it less about solving puzzles and more about the journey itself.
The wind beneath my wings
Regrettably, relaxing trips may occasionally present unexpected challenges that could potentially sprain an ankle. In this European adventure, you’ll discover hidden crystal stars to enhance your jetpack and depict the diverse android creatures and artifacts you encounter along the way. However, the drawing mechanism within the game was inconsistent. At times, the game would encourage me to draw a new creature, but on other occasions, I’d spot a fresh animal that I couldn’t sketch in my journal.
Since I’m the type who loves earning all the game achievements, I wanted to go back and find any hidden crystals I’d overlooked. However, once the credits finished playing, I realized there wasn’t an option for chapter selection or a guide on which areas had collectibles I was yet to find. Even though it’s a brief game, not being able to quickly wrap up unfinished business left me feeling somewhat let down.
Come fly with me, let’s fly, let’s fly away
In some story-driven games, maintaining a smooth blend of gameplay and narrative can be tricky. However, in the case of Europa developed by Novadust Entertainment, they’ve skillfully maintained a swift tempo throughout the adventure to prevent the gameplay from overshadowing the narrative, and vice versa. Despite minor bumps along the way, Europa offers an engrossing and contemplative gaming experience that beautifully captures the enchantment reminiscent of Studio Ghibli’s works.
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2024-10-11 19:27