The recent PlayStation showcase has more in store apart from AAA titles. Neva is a gorgeous-looking puzzle platformer that closely resembles developers Nomada Studio’s previous game, Gris. Neva incorporates “platforming, puzzles, and combat against monstrous enemies, with a minimal UI, delicate art, high-quality traditional animation, and haunting music". And if Gris is anything to go by, players will be shedding quite a few tears. Have a look at Neva’s haunting animation in the trailer here:
Lone wolf and cub
The trailer recalls Studio Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke with its female warrior protagonist and enormous wolf companion. However, the warrior loses her wolf companion during a battle with some corrupted entities and must raise her friend’s cub all on her own. Over time, she forms a close relationship with the cub as it matures into a full-grown wolf. The pair must travel across a crumbling world where they will find their bond tested by experience.
While Gris was an exploration of grief from the perspective of a young woman, Neva’s emotional themes focus more on parenthood. According to the developers, the game was inspired by having children in a world facing the pandemic, climate change, and war:
“We decided to focus our efforts on creating a game about the relationship we have with our children and parents, and how we emotionally relate to them in often complicated contexts. We were interested in exploring how these relationships change over time.”
The developers were also keen to explore themes related to the human impact on the environment, represented by the black, tar-like spirits seen in the trailer.
Not much more information is available on the game except that it is releasing in 2024 for the PC, PS5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox X|S. Keep an eye out for a Neva PS5 key from our comparator.
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