The creators of Neva described it as “the moving tale of a young woman and her lifelong bond with a magnificent wolf as they embark on a thrilling adventure through a rapidly dying world.”
It sounded intriguing enough as I watched it download onto my Switch. Ten hours later, I can tell you the game lives up to that promise—but nothing in that brief description could have prepared me for the depth of emotion this beautifully compact experience would evoke.
Key Details
- Publisher: Devolver Digital
- Developer: Nomada Studio
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox Series X|S
- Price: $19.99
- Review Copy Provided: Yes
Eyes forward: Neva is All About Our Future
Since GRIS, a game steeped in the gray hues of grief and loss, creative director Conrad Roset’s world has changed quite a bit.
He became a father, pouring his energy into raising his son. Now, with Neva, we get a game that explores “the relationship we have with our children” and “how these relationships evolve over time.”
If you’ve ever cared for a child or even an animal, this one will hit you right in the gut.
Conrad puts it plainly: “At the beginning, children need protection and education, but as teenagers, they can become rebellious and challenge authority.”
In the game, Neva starts as a wolf pup, and while your character, Alba, leaps gracefully from platform to platform, Neva isn’t quite there yet. She needs you—waiting on the other side, calling her over, ready to help her if she falls short.
Then, our wolf pup grows into a defiant teenager. The moment something catches her eye, she bolts, taking off on her own.
I lost count of how many times I watched Neva dart out of sight, my heart racing as I frantically yelled “Neva! Neva! NEVA!” over and over, desperately sprinting after her, rolling and jumping, praying I’d catch up and make sure she was okay.
Soon enough, Neva matures. She outgrows you, becoming more agile, more independent. By the end, it’s you asking her for help to reach new heights.
As Conrad puts it, “As they grow into adulthood, they become more responsible and start thinking about living their own lives. That’s something parents have to learn to respect.”
Neva grows. And while you’re not her parent, you are her caretaker. You have to learn to let go, to respect her independence. She’s not just a loyal companion by your side forever—and that’s the bittersweet beauty of growth.
Visually Stunning Even Beyond my Expectations
The reason seeing Neva dash out of view freaks you out is because, much like in real life, her world is anything but safe. What used to be a vibrant planet filled with lush pinks and greens in the spring—or fiery reds in autumn—has been overrun by these tar-black monsters, destroying everything: animals, environment, the works.
Your job? Fight them off to protect Neva, and later, fight with her, to restore the planet. Her howl literally turns the husks of your enemies into flowers—a poetic reminder that nature finds a way to push back.
Naturally, this got me thinking about our own legacy. What are we leaving behind for those who come after us, for Neva’s kids? What kind of world will they be born into?
It’s easy to assume Alba and Neva are just wandering through the ruins, scavenging what’s left, but the more they threw themselves into danger, the more I realized this almost wordless (except for all the “NEVA!”) story is about one thing: rebuilding the world so that future generations get to see spring again.
And my god, is it beautiful. The minimalist art style and the violin-driven score completely carry the game—no shock if you played GRIS.
But where GRIS leaned on soft, pastel watercolors, Neva grabs you with bold, bright colors. The visuals are in-your-face gorgeous when they need to be, and then devastatingly dark and striking at just the right moments. It’s like every single frame is its own painting.
The story unfolds over four seasons, each one distinct: summer is all green and lush; autumn burns with browns, reds, and yellows; winter strips it all away, leaving a lonely gray-and-white wasteland; and then, finally, spring returns in all its pink and green glory.
Honestly, if I could, I’d make you scroll through my entire library of screenshots just to show off how ridiculously pretty this game is.
And the soundtrack—courtesy of Berlinist, the same band behind GRIS—hits just as hard. They nailed the vibe, perfectly weaving gentle melodies for calm moments and dramatic violin swells when things get tense. The music doesn’t just accompany the game, it elevates it, pulling you even deeper into the experience.
Neva is no Walking Simulator
With how much Neva leans on its stunning visuals, deep themes, and incredible soundtrack, you’d think it would just be a walking simulator.
But no, they actually want you to play the game. You’ll be solving platforming puzzles and tackling some decently challenging combat along the way.
The combat is simple enough—not bad, but nothing groundbreaking. I didn’t expect a complex skill tree in a game like this, but a little more depth would’ve made the fights feel more rewarding.
Now, the puzzles are where I got sucked in. You’ll spend a fair amount of time stuck on one screen—luckily, a beautiful one—trying to figure out how to reach that elusive white platform.
Across the four chapters, the world’s architecture stays fresh and varied enough to keep each puzzle interesting, always engaging you with something new to figure out.
Final Score: 9/10
You know you’re in for a tear-jerker the moment you lock eyes with Neva, but what you don’t expect is a game that delivers a gut-punch of feels and leaves you contemplating your legacy.
Somehow, Nomada Studios has outdone themselves, crafting a game that’s even more breathtaking than its predecessor while also including enough engaging platforming and combat puzzles to reinforce its poignant message.
It’s a bite-sized experience, and I can’t help but wish I could lose myself in its stunning landscapes just a little longer. Since the credits rolled, I haven’t stopped thinking about it; this is the kind of game that lingers, echoing in your mind long after you’ve put down the controller.
**A Nintendo Switch review code of Neva was provided to Bonus Action for the purpose of this review**
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