As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I found myself utterly captivated by the enchanting world of Neva. The game’s seamless blend of combat and platforming mechanics, coupled with its visually stunning backdrop, made for an exhilarating journey that kept me on the edge of my seat.
Individuals who are fortunate enough to take on the role of a parent, be it towards humans or animals, gain a special insight into the intricate bond that can develop between a child and their guardian. The team behind the emotionally resonant game GRIS, known as Nomada Studio, delves into the subtleties of parenthood in their latest platforming journey, titled Neva.
Thrown to the wolves
Characters assume the part of a young, sword-carrying woman named Alba, who is joined by a white wolf cub with antlers resembling branches, called Neva. A fateful meeting sets Alba as Neva’s protector, and the duo embarks on a journey to safeguard each other against strange beasts and an ominous, advancing darkness that ruthlessly destroys everything in its wake.
The game stands out due to its breathtaking graphics. It’s divided into chapters representing the four seasons, with the bright colors of spring and summer contrasting starkly against the gray-toned landscapes of autumn and winter. Each chapter is filled with visual beauty, complete with dynamic lighting effects and a captivating art style that makes even the duller areas visually appealing. The atmosphere is further enhanced by grand background music tailored to each segment.
The flower of youth
In a heartfelt tale, Neva illustrates the recurring patterns of life, the duty of fostering connections, and the unavoidable flux that occurs over time, all while underscoring the distinct hurdles associated with parenthood. Initially, Neva is portrayed as a young puppy, characterized by an exuberance for exploration that results in a brief focus span. In this game, players take on the role of Alba, tasked with safeguarding Neva during the warmer months. At first, Neva has minimal abilities, leaving it mostly to Alba to repel any potential dangers. As the seasons progress and Neva grows bigger and stronger, her inherent magical talents start to surface. By autumn, Neva will aid Alba in battle by setting up attacks and healing after each skirmish. Furthermore, as Neva matures, she displays a more defiant nature and may not always respond when called.
Crying wolf
As a gamer here, I’m thrilled to share some exciting news about our game’s character, Neva. Not only can you give her a good rub on the head, but engaging with Neva is not just allowed, it’s essential for your gameplay progression!
As Neva matures, her abilities in combat start complementing Alba’s. You will eventually be able to command Neva to attack enemies from afar, giving Alba an advantage against ground-based threats. Moreover, Neva learns to phase into and brighten up Alba’s form, effectively turning her into a mobile light source. This added an intriguing layer of lighting effects to the game’s darker scenes. By winter, Neva becomes large enough for Alba to ride on, making long-distance travel more efficient. Initially, Neva’s abilities were modest, but as she grows and develops, her combat utility increases significantly, particularly when Alba is separated from her.
Following in one’s footsteps
In the game “Neva“, you’ll find an engaging mix of platforming, swift melee combat, and simple puzzle-solving. The trickier platforming sections require you to leap across gaps, scale walls to reach seemingly unreachable heights by hanging on. The game cleverly employs the concept of verticality, offering a sense of depth that enriches its side-scrolling format.
Alba’s combat style primarily involves quick slicing attacks and the occasional plunging strike when attacking from above. She has the ability to leap twice and dash ahead to evade enemies, striking them from behind. As Neva grows big enough, she will help by healing you after battles and eventually can be instructed to focus on specific opponents, creating chances for Alba to strike.
In the realm of Neva, the adversaries are elongated beings dressed in black, their faces stark white, reminiscent of characters from Studio Ghibli animations. Simultaneously, these entities appear with a sinister force that distorts and eliminates wildlife as it feeds off its surroundings. Some foes have the ability to fly, swooping down unexpectedly from above, while others hurl objects at you from a distance. Most of these enemies can be defeated with a few swift strikes, but battle becomes challenging when you’re managing multiple foes approaching from various directions. Fortunately, the controls in Alba are user-friendly and responsive, aiding in maintaining a combat rhythm, and Neva offers helpful support features as well.
While Neva’s healing is invaluable, it is not the only means of maintaining your health in the game. As you progress through each chapter, particularly before a boss battle, you will encounter healing totems that restore you to full health when you pass by them. Your health is represented by three flowers at the bottom of the display, and you can regain lost health petals by landing hits on enemies in rapid succession. I found this to be an elegant way to manage one’s health, as it gives the player more control over healing without having to depend as much on the delayed heal from Neva or the sparsity of healing totems.
Generational trauma
In this game, much of the challenge lies in understanding how to move through a sequence of platforms. However, occasionally, you’ll encounter tasks that require arranging objects to form a path. Interestingly, there seems to be no need for a hint system to aid during difficult moments. Most puzzles are manageable, with the true test being your skill in navigating the platforms.
Neva has two modes of play: Adventure Mode, which offers a moderate level of challenge and is the typical way to engage with the game, and Story Mode, where the health bar is absent, enabling players to explore without the worry of dying. You can switch between these difficulty levels at any point during gameplay via the pause menu. I personally prefer Adventure Mode for the best experience with Neva, but Story Mode caters to those finding combat or challenging platforming sections difficult. Additionally, while it’s recommended to use a controller or gamepad, I found that the keyboard controls in Neva were responsive enough for most PC users.
The circle of life
By spring, the story of Neva completes its journey, exploring ideas of growth, loss, and rebirth. As Alba and Neva’s relationship reaches its peak, the tale draws to a close, leaving me yearning for more. There isn’t much reason to replay Neva, other than hunting for flower collectibles scattered throughout the game, but the final chapter makes replaying unnecessary due to its satisfying conclusion. I wished for a longer adventure with Neva as an adult wolf, fully developed in her magical powers, but the game’s concise length aligns with its themes and creates a manageable experience that doesn’t overstay its welcome.
Neva embodies the essence of life’s continual transformation, offering a narrative that echoes the experiences of parenthood and the inexorable march of time. In essence, the storyline circles back on itself, resembling a poignant metaphor for the cycle of life. Despite being relatively short-lived, with credits rolling approximately 5-6 hours into the game, the powerful impression left by Neva endures long after, making it an excellent selection for individuals seeking a visually stunning and precisely crafted platforming adventure game that delivers an emotional punch.
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2024-10-14 19:27