Neva Review

Neva is a gorgeous side-scrolling action platformer, does it stand among the best indie games of recent memory?

What Is It? Neva is a side-scrolling action platforming game with a standout visual style. Nomada Studio created a hit with 2018’s Gris. It was defined by its unique art style but the comfy, short adventure resonated with fans beyond just the visuals.

In Neva, you play as Alba, a young woman who finds herself in care of a young wolf-like creature named Neva. The game is played over four seasons which will see Neva grow from a pup to a fully grown adult. Starting slowly, Alba will guide a young Neva around, mostly doing light platforming for the first part of the game. This is a nice, cozy introduction before the action ramps up in later seasons.

Soon, you will start using a sword to defeat enemies. These things are creepy; all black except for a plain white mask, they can possess dead animals or combine together to form large enemies. A few hits with your sword will knock them back, do this two or three times and they will be vanquished. As Neva grows, she becomes an invaluable companion by attacking enemies beside you. Some of the most fun parts of the game are fights where you need to dispatch Neva onto certain enemies to stall them while you take out others with your swords. I’m generally a sucker for multitask fighting like this, and the version here is no different.

On the platforming side, the game also ramps up the complexity as the four hour runtime progresses. Originally, you will use your double jump and dash to cross gaps and that’s about all. The game folds in a wall climb and “hit an object mid-air to boost your jump” along the way which elevates this aspect way beyond its initial simplicity. By the end, Neva genuinely felt like some of the better Metroidvanias I’ve played over the years; fast-paced, tough platforming that required chaining together multiple actions.

The game notably is void of any dialogue other than Alba calling for Neva to come to her. There is no text at all outside of the 5-8 one-panel instructions you will see as the game unfolds a new mechanic. The game sets a mood and sticks with it through the visuals alone, it is impressive to watch play out.

Fight and platform your way across the four seasons, solve some light puzzles, and enjoy the view the entire time.

The Best Part: The platforming. For a game which can initially seem to be more about the vibe and visuals, Neva absolutely brings it on the platforming front in the late stages. There is a section where you have to do everything in a mirror, essentially. It is a wonderfully inventive twist that is initially a bit frustrating but you will shortly find your bearings and enjoy the uniqueness of the situation. The game also throws in more traditional platforming techniques to create a really fun experience while not overwhelming players with numerous button input requirements. It’s a wonderful balance of simplicity and fun.

The Worst Part: I appreciate the ramp up the game provides and how it mirrors Neva’s physical growth, but given how fun the last third of the game is, once all of the mechanics are in play, I really wish the ramp up wasn’t as long. The first season is as basic as it gets, the second folds in many of the interesting bits, but it doesn’t all hit until the third. 

The Verdict: I was not quite sure what to expect going into Neva. I had heard of Gris, but never played it. Neva looked amazing but it also felt like it might be a walking simulator style indie game, and the first hour or so did nothing to suggest otherwise. I was ready for that style and enjoying my time when the game started to unveil itself through a fun combat system and a deeper than expected platforming experience. In short; there is way more “game” in Neva than I initially thought. It was fun enough that I went back to collect the platinum trophy, which only added an hour or so to my initial playtime.

Shortly after playing, I’m still a bit torn as to whether it is one of the best indie games I’ve played or “simply” very, very good. I can’t help but wish it introduced the really great mechanics sooner, but I also appreciate a good build up. The art style and the last hour or so combine for an amazing experience that is a very easy game to recommend, even if I can’t decide if it is an A or an A+ for me.

How to Play: PlayStation 4 & 5*, Xbox Series, Switch, PC, Mac

*console played on for this review