Platform(s): PC (version reviewed), PS5, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch
Genre: 2D platformer, action, work of art, indie

Few games embrace the escort mission mechanic and make it integral to its plot and gameplay. The Last of Us Part 1 is one huge and great example, but rarely do you see these kinds of games in the indie space. This is especially with the narrative where you get to see your escort partner grow and be nurtured, and even help you out in major parts in the second half.

Neva is one such game that fills in that niche idea, and does a bang-up job with how it conveys its message while also being a helluva 2D looker.

Four Seasons

Neva is the name of the wolf cub you have to take care of in this 2D action-adventure game where you run left to right through the very lush-filled forest and green-filled world slowly being corrupted. You play the role of a red-caped white-haired female protector who brandishes a sword and comes equipped with a dodge, an air dash, and a double jump (if we’re speaking gameplay lingo). Not only do you have to solve puzzles obstructing your way and keep the wolf safe, but also platform your way through tricky obstacles and also fight sentient dark forces that look like Spirited Away’s No-Face, but with different forms and are way deadlier.

Without spoiling anything major, your journey takes you to many beautiful vistas and eerie locales, where the world and its surroundings are bigger than they seem. To say that the art style in Neva is great is underselling it: developer Nomada Studio took what they learned from their 2018 title Griss and amplifies it further, going above and beyond to sear its memorable portrayals of nature and corruption into your mind. You’ll be taken to their interpretation of the four seasons, and it’s a tour-de-force of art you’ll appreciate now and remember for a long while.

Every moment a painting, every visage a work of art you can screencap and frame it for your eyes, from its portrayal of peaceful nature to the corruption that seeps into the world that renders the colour to just black, gray, and in-between. With little to no words, you feel the struggle your hero and wolf baby-and-companion as well as see them evolve and grow through thick and thin.

All this would be for naught if the game was shallow, but it isn’t. Your main swordswoman controls great and is sublime, with its puzzles being pretty tricky and requiring your reflexes and bits of brain power. You have timed platforms, giant darkness faces that act as launchers, falling blocks, and all sorts. My favourite puzzle in the entire game revolves around reflections, where you have to look at the bottom to see the invisible platforms and blocks you have to jump to and fro about. I haven’t seen these kinds of creative puzzles since Rocket Knight Adventure in the 90s, so imagine my surprise at seeing an inventive 2024 take on it that ended up being long enough to declare it my favourite.

You’ll also have to hack and slash your way through the darkness enemies. The girl in red can get back her health by hitting enemies, so there’s no need for health items; just skill in dodging and countering. Boss fights are also epic as you deal with many forms of the darkness in towering form and also corrupting the beasts that roam the plain, leading to fun battles that can get challenging but fair.

There’s a lot more to say that’s wonderful, that the only stumbling point in Neva is its length. You can wrap the game up in 4 hours or less, though there are collectibles in the form of white flowers for completionist’s sake. But really, you’re in this Nomada Studio-developed game for the experience, and by golly it delivers in its not-quite-long runtime. And it’s not just a 2D walking simulator (save for one chapter, but for contextual reasons it deserves that sort of design) as you have to work for your progress with puzzle-solving, sword-swinging, and air-dashing.

Tooth & Nail

With fun-yet-linear platforming and puzzle-solving, tag team woman-and-wolf action, and a sublime style, Neva is clearly this year’s most gorgeous experiences in video gaming since, well, Griss. I’m willing to overlook the game’s length (or lack thereof) if it means playing through a gorgeous game with unforgettable moments that can transcend film with similar messages & tone. You’ll definitely be pressing that F12 key taking screencaps of Neva’s unforgettable visuals and bold use of highlights & contrasts. Neva is love, Neva is life, and also a fun-if-brief visual splendour to boot.

Pros

• Wonderful story that doesn’t need words to convey.
• Godlike aesthetics & animation.
• Great action & platforming.

Cons

• Pretty short.

Final Score: 90/100

Review code provided by publisher.