Neva
2024
- platform
- puzzle
- adventure
- indie
- action
- fantasy
- drama
- single player
The story
Neva is an action-adventure game developed by Nomada Studio and published by Devolver Digital. The gameplay combines side-scrolling platforming with environmental puzzles and combat. Neva has been praised for its stunning art style, emotional storytelling, and refined gameplay mechanics, building upon the foundation laid by GRIS.
What it’s like
Painterly 2D watercolour backdrops bloom with ink-wash mist, and the palette shifts from pale, sun-bleached yellows and soft greens to heavy blood-red and bruised violet as the story darkens. The camera holds a steady side-on view, letting the hand-painted forests, ruined stone and sweeping cliffs unfold in layers of parallax, with a young white wolf moving through them in fluid, almost dancing motion. The soundtrack leans on gentle strings, wordless vocals and quiet piano, with long stretches of wind and birdsong between them. Platforming and light puzzle-solving take their time, so the rhythm is unhurried and reflective, with occasional combat that is stylised and brief but carries real weight. Its emotional register is grief softened by tenderness: a young girl and her wolf companion slowly finding trust and meaning amid loss. Intensity is moderate: some violence against creatures and armed figures, mostly implied through dark imagery and a few sharp moments rather than gore. It suits a slow evening at home, a thoughtful solo playthrough, or anyone drawn to art-forward games for people who want an emotionally resonant, visually striking journey that favours mood over challenge.
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