A spoiler free look at Nomada Studio’s stunning and emotional new game
By Lindsey Welch
In Neva, you play as Alba, a swordswoman bonded with the titular Neva, an adorable magical wolf cub. Together, they traverse a beautiful yet crumbling world as an insidious curse kills and corrupts everything in its path. The seasons change, and little Neva grows bigger and more powerful, as does the curse and the monster behind it. It’s an emotional and heartbreaking story that focuses on the loving bond between Alba and Neva as they seek to survive.
Much like Nomada Studio’s previous title Gris, the tale of Neva is told solely through visual and musical storytelling. The only dialogue you’ll hear in the game is when calling the name of your wolf buddy. This lack of explicit telling works well with the increasingly empty world that Nomada Studios has crafted. The background lore of this world and the curse that plagues it is a mystery, one that you’ll be left to ponder and theorize about after playing.
Astounding art and music
If you enjoy Studio Ghibli films, you will see some familiar faces and concepts. Nomada Studio said they were particularly inspired by Princess Mononoke and a little by Spirited Away—two of my personal favorite Ghibli films. With the use of strong shapes, vibrant colors, and textures, the design of the game is striking and pulls you into the world. There is also an impressive use of line-less art for the characters that makes them feel even more a part of the world they inhabit. The monster designs are incredibly unsettling, not just in their appearance but also in their movements and sounds, which do a great job of increasing the tension throughout. Speaking of sound, while the art is beautiful, the accompanying music, composed by the group Berlinist, meshes perfectly with the visuals. It adds depth and intensity, further helping to convey the emotions and themes the game seeks to express.
Gameplay
Alba, the swordswoman you play as, already possesses all of her skills from the start. Players’ growth in skill is reflected in the wolf pup Neva. The platforming puzzles are engaging and imaginative but gradually become more difficult as you progress. This game does not hold your hand, and there will be times when you’ll need to keep a keen eye on your surroundings and visual clues to progress.
Combat provides a satisfying challenge, and with only three hit points to spare, the game doesn’t pull any punches. Thankfully, there are ample opportunities to heal during combat. For every successful strike Alba lands with her blade, she can regain health. As Neva grows, the wolf cub gains unique and often lifesaving abilities. If intense gameplay isn’t your style or if you just want to run around and enjoy the views, you can switch to story mode for a death-free run at any time.
Beautiful but brief
The main drawback that may deter people from buying the game is how quickly the main story can be beaten. Without going back for missed collectibles, I managed to finish the game in around five hours (granted, I spent a significant amount of time admiring the scenery); I imagine some could finish it in three to four hours. The replayability of the game depends on the type of gamer playing. Personally, I don’t doubt I will replay it. Running around in what looks like a painting with an enchanting soundtrack and lovable characters is a major draw for me. However, the small number of trophies and collectibles to hunt for and the game’s length might not justify the $20 price tag for some gamers, despite all its other glowing qualities.
Verdict
Neva is a work of art, and it’s clear how much love went into the game’s creation. The characters and their stories made me cry, and I personally cannot wait to go back and play it again. I believe Neva is an excellent next step for Nomada Studios, and I look forward to their future work. As of now, the game is only available as a digital download on most platforms, but you can expect a physical copy for PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch (both standard and deluxe editions) to be available on March 14, 2025.
