One of the most hotly anticipated indie games of the year, the time is now! Neva is finally upon us. It’s from Spanish indie team Nómada Studio, the ones behind instant classic GRIS (2018).
With its incredible artistic direction, soundtrack, and emotional story, there’s no denying this will be a game of the year contender.
The Emotional Narrative Sweep of Neva
Okay, so this launched during the week and is available on PC, PS5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox Series X/S. In other words, you can get it on anything.
In Neva, you take control of Alba. She’s a young female warrior who shares a lifelong bond with a wolf. The world she inhabits is dying and as she, along with her wolf companion, explore the lush landscape she learns and grows.
This is a narrative, artistic game. As with GRIS it’s a bit like an interactive visual novel. There are themes of identity, love, trust, and courage.
Ultimately, it’s a story of survival—Alba must use her skills to defend the wolf from macabre black demonic beings who seem to resemble No Face from Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away. But the bond between you and your wolf cub is the central element of the game, even if the art direction throws everything at you to make jaws drop.
Seriously, if you’ve got a spare hour just watch how chapter two (Fall) unfolds. Stunning.
We don’t want to spoil anything for anyone who wants to play the game, but will note (as many other reviewers have) the story is very emotional. A raw time of it as this is a dark, bleak world Alba and the wolf inhabit.
The level of imagination and the artistic Monument Valley style of level development is mighty. That title used an M. S. Escher style that’s developed in Neva specifically for a platformer.
Then there’s the music, as provided by the ever-brilliant Berlinist. This just showcases how ambitious, and advanced, video game scores are these days.
But Neva is so much more than “just another” platformer, it does in fact highlight just how important this genre is in a world of increasingly bland, boring AAA blockbusters fests.
Instead, players get just over three hours of gameplay here. It’s worth every penny for every moment.
Unlike GRIS, there are combat elements. However, these are all very cut back and minimalistic—a simplified set of commands in an industry keen to pelt extravagant controls at players.
In fact, one of the big triumphs of Neva is how this is a game for everyone. Whether you play video games or not, it’s one to immerse yourselves in and enjoy. If only for the stunning artwork and score alone.
This is a masterpiece, no doubts, visually and for its immersive world. Heart-breaking, too, but in a manner that ensures its message will stick with you for some time.
The Art Direction Behind Neva
With this its second game Nómada Studio has now established itself as one of the leading indie game developers out there. The success of GRIS paved the way for a more ambitious project.
As you can see above in some behind the scenes production notes, the team has poured meticulously over the title to deliver something special.
Interestingly, they do note there’s a lot of Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki inspiration here. Again, mainly with the various No Face creatures that threateningly menace the land.
We see nods to Ustwo’s Monument Valley, too, which has its own Netflix series in the works (on a tangent there). But we do think all this stuff might, just hopefully, help non-gamers appreciate the wider gaming industry.
It’s not all about blowing stuff up with guns.
This has been reflected in much of the national press, here in the UK anyway, as we’ve seen several papers lead with this game review across its central pages. And to be clear, it’s met with rave reviews and perfect scores almost across the world. Very well done indeed.
Berlinist’s Epic Neva Soundtrack
The score to Neva will be in high demand. Berlinist is behind it, a musical group from Barcelona consisting of arco Albano, Luigi Gervasi, and Gemma Gamarra.
They worked on the GRIS soundtrack, too, for Nómada Studio. And it’s similar in its style—lots of dramatic orchestral sweeps and the like. The production values are through the roof here showing how advanced video game soundtracks now are.
It gets highly orchestral at its peaks, bringing to life the story and immerses players fully into the world.
The music just has this uncanny knack of accurately reflecting the onscreen season. Whether spring, autumn, or winter—the score helps you feel it.
Another fine piece of work from Berlinist. And for Nómada Studio! Congrats to you guys. No pressure, but we’re looking forward to your next game now.
