Home / Reviews /Neva review ByRichard Seagrave 15 October 202415 October 2024
Within minutes of starting Neva you’ll likely find yourself reaching for a tissue, your eyes watering up as a majestic wolf-like creature struggles to fend off what can only what can be described as a wave of darkness. Following the struggle, Alba, the protagonist of this adventure, finds herself distraught having lost a friend. But there’s little time to grieve. Now she has to concentrate on the titular young pup that no longer has a parent.
In control of Alba, Neva finds you moving through four seasons, witnessing your canine friend growing from a small cub that needs to be protected, to an independent adult that seeks to find its place in life. Though in truth, survival depends on the both of you working together, overcoming the many obstacles in your path, be they created by the forces of darkness or not.
One thing is clear from the minute you start playing Neva: this is an astoundingly beautiful game. Developed by Nomada Studio, also responsible for Gris, the locations here vary from those somewhat grounded in reality to others that can only be described as harrowing and surreal. In any case, it’s a constant treat for the eyes — and ears, too, thanks to a wonderfully rousing and emotive soundtrack.
It’s just a shame that, as consistently enjoyable as it is to look at and listen to Neva, the gameplay is full of ups and downs. Things start off very simple indeed, with you able to just run and jump as Alba as well as call out to Neva and show them some affection. But, as you move through the game, and both Neva matures and the forces of darkness grow stronger, you find additional game mechanics being introduced.
It’s not long until Alba draws her sword, for example, revealing a basic but relatively enjoyable combat system which requires you to dodge out of the way of danger and land blows on your enemies to recover your health. Eventually you’re able to command Neva to attack enemies, too, and even ride them to more quickly cover ground.
The trouble is, these flourishes of combat — as well as platforming challenges that require you to successfully utilise air dashes, double jumps and more, often to gain access to optional collectibles — are interspersed with large sections where you’re essentially just moving left or right for extended periods of time, watching the scenery go by.
Gameplay-wise, Neva feels like a uneven experience as a result, which is a tad disappointing. And while you quickly grow somewhat attached to Alba and her wolf companion, the story doesn’t have quite the emotional impact you’d expect, either — though it does succeed on pulling on the heartstrings a little. Quite often playing Neva I found myself thinking of Ori and the Will of the Wisps, a true tearjerker of a game featuring a world consumed by darkness that’s simply more fun to play.
That’s not to say that Neva is a bad game; far from it. There’s a lot to like here. But with its general lack of gameplay depth and frequent bouts of uneventful traversal that some might consider dull, it falls short of greatness. Still, if you’re after a game with stunning visual and sound that also tugs on your heartstrings, Neva is definitely worth a look.
Neva Review
With its sumptuous art and rousing soundtrack, Neva sure is a treat for the eyes and ears. Its story will pull on your heartstrings, too. It's just a shame that its gameplay is basic at best and it often borders on being simply dull.7out of 10
We like…
- Looks absolutely stunning
- Soundtrack is brilliant
- Its story tugs on the heartstrings
We don’t like…
- Gameplay is basic
- Borders on being dull in some of its quieter moments
This review of Neva is based on the PS5 version, with a code provided by the game’s publisher. It’s available on PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch and PC.