Neva is an utterly beautiful and moving adventure with shades of Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke

GamesAdventureNeva is an utterly beautiful and moving adventure with shades of Spirited Away and Princess MononokeWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. GamesAdventureNeva is an utterly beautiful and moving adventure with shades of Spirited Away and Princess MononokeWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Devolver Digitial) Neva is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful games I’ve played this year, not just in a visual sense, but also in the tale it tells. Changing seasons (Image credit: Devolver Digital) Indie Spotlight(Image credit: Future Friends Games)Europa felt like Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom reimagined in a stunning Studio Ghibli world, and I loved every second of it. Indie Spotlight (Image credit: Future Friends Games)Europa felt like Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom reimagined in a stunning Studio Ghibli world, and I loved every second of it. (Image credit: Future Friends Games) Europa felt like Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom reimagined in a stunning Studio Ghibli world, and I loved every second of it. I love the sense of teamwork and companionship at the heart of the game, and how it’s reflected in the progression in the story and the mechanics you use. While there are lots of practical ways for the pair to work together as they face dark dangers and obstacles, I also appreciate the smaller interactions you can have with the wolf that make it feel like you’re really developing your bond. At any point, you can pet or hug them, and you’re always able to call out to Neva if they run too far ahead. As dialogue is scarce, so much is conveyed without the use of the words, from Neva’s expressive animations to the emotional soundtrack. The world itself and the journey you go on reminded me of the likes of Princess Mononoke, with it exploring the bond of a young woman and a wolf, and their relationship with the environment. (Image credit: Devolver Digital) The beautiful world setting is decaying around them, with black darkness infecting both the landscapes and the wildlife. Enemies also spring up from the decay, as though they’re born from it, with foes reminiscent of No-Face from Spirited Away. As a wolf, Neva appears to have a special connection to nature, often howling to restore light and life back to the environment. There’s an undercurrent of sadness to the setting, that such a beautiful place could be corrupted and plunged into darkness. But as Alba, you’re also trying to help fight back against it, and I constantly felt so connected to the world. As the developer behind Gris, it’s no surprise that Neva is utterly gorgeous. Every backdrop is a work of art, and throughout my time with the game, I couldn’t stop taking screenshots. Sincerely, this is the most beautiful game I’ve played this year. And if you’re in it to experience the story, there’s happily a story mode difficulty which takes death out of the equation so you can get swept up in the journey without fear of failing. Neva is the kind of adventure that stays with you. It’s a treat for the eyes and the heart, and I can’t recommend it enough. Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more Neva is out now on PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and Switch. For more recommendations, head on over to ourIndie Spotlightseries. 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Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1 Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2 Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3 Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4 Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5 Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1 Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2 Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3 Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1 Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4 Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5 Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”