For a game with virtually no dialogue, I’m almost at a loss to summarize Neva in a few words. I could compare this new title from Gris developer Nomada Studio to the mysteriously bleak world of Hollow Knight, the gameplay of Braid (sans time travel), or the emotional rawness of Life Is Strange. Yet, it feels like such a unique entity that feels like a disservice. Neva is a simple game on paper. You play as Alba, a young woman who is alone in a dying world except for her wolf, Neva, and a seemingly endless horde of white-masked shadows who kill and corrupt the living. With only a few simple moves at your disposal—double-jumping, dodge-rolling, climbing, attack combos, and, of course, a dedicated “pet the dog” button—you must traverse this watercolour landscape, slaying shades and seeking safety. Beneath this mechanical simplicity, however, is a much more complex landscape. Neva is a moderately challenging adventure in its own right, but it’s also one of the most beautifully bittersweet visual experiences I’ve ever seen. To focus on the gameplay first, Neva does a masterful job of showing (not telling) the player how it works. The intro areas coax players into exploring... Read more