Creators of the visually arresting and incredibly touching GRIS, the talented crew at Nomada Studio are back with their next adventure, exploring themes of love, identity, growth, trust and courage. This time, the focus is on a young woman named Alba, who is travelling through a decaying world with her mystical and adorable wolf companion, Neva. In this heartfelt story with truly gorgeous visuals, you’ll work together to navigate a collapsing landscape full of natural beauty and hidden dangers. Neva is a wonderfully compelling story that frequently had me gasping, and it cements Nomada Studio as one of the most artistic and top-notch indie developers in the industry.

The yarn of Neva begins with a tragedy, that leaves Alba with a young pup Neva, as they begin a stunning adventure that will bond them on a deep level. The storytelling is largely non-verbal, the only dialogue in the game coming from Alba when you call out to Neva via a dedicated button, to get their attention or make sure they’re following alongside you.

Neva is set over four seasons, with each one reflecting the growth of Neva from a playful pup into a powerful wolf. Initially, the bond between Alba and Neva feels protective; Neva hides when threatened, and can even be grabbed by enemies, forcing you to jump into action and save them. The parental urge to make sure Neva was safe was incredibly strong, so you’d best believe that becomes a high priority whenever they are in danger. As the seasons roll on, Neva matures, evolving into an active ally in combat, helping you to overcome larger threats, and latching onto enemies with a bite to freeze them into place.

Combat is fluid and engaging, while kept relatively simple, requiring a mix of attacking, dodging, jumping, and repositioning to take down foes; for example, dodging through a large attack allows you to get some shots in from behind, uninterrupted. As more enemies are thrown into the mix, the dance becomes more complex but remains engaging. Health regenerates after every battle, which keeps the pacing smooth, but seeing as you can only take three hits before death, you still need to remain cautious. There’s a risk-reward system, where successfully landing six consecutive hits on enemies restores part of your health, adding an extra layer to each encounter.

The enemies themselves are visually intriguing and come off as dangerous; they’re shadowy, amorphous creatures with white masks, and are varied in their abilities, combining and shifting in surprising ways. Some throw projectiles, others charge at you aggressively and some have giant blocks on their head that they use to push you around. Boss fights at the end of each season punctuate the journey with epic moments that feel earned and climactic. It all adds to the variety and kept me on my toes throughout the whole adventure.

Of course, it’s impossible to talk about Neva without gushing over its stunning visuals. I’m as shocked as you are that I waited this long to talk about them in this review. The watercolour art style truly elevates the entire experience into something special. I honestly can’t think of a game that is as regularly pretty and breathtaking as Neva. Like running through a living canvas, it makes clever use of the foreground and background, with layers of activity; birds flutter through the air, waterfalls cascade as you dart behind them, and trees sway gently in the wind. Natural elements, including other wildlife, respond to your presence, giving Neva an organic, ever-changing feel that constantly captivates.

At times, the dark forces invade this natural beauty. Branches with hand-like protrusions sprout from the earth, grasping at you and Neva, while trees crack, splinter and float ominously, creating floating platforms. At certain points, the visual palette becomes darker and more intense; one particularly striking level has a monochromatic fog of black, white, and grey dominating the landscape, with Alba’s red cape slicing through the murk, or at other times fully silhouetted. These neat touches give the experience a distinct visual language that is both evocative and symbolic of the struggle between light and dark. It’s not always subtle, but it’s often stunning.

The attention to detail in the animation within Neva is also striking. As a puppy, Neva is filled with curiosity and innocence, playfully interacting with the world and other animals. When she hangs from a ledge, you can give her a helping hand, or coax her to find the courage to make a high jump. As she grows, Neva’s movements become more powerful and assured, but her loyalty and playfulness remain at the core of her character. Neva is a fierce defender, but still your best mate. The attention to detail in animating their relationship is lovely, and with the many pats given along the way, felt completely right as a big-time dog-lover myself. The evolution from a dependent pup to a formidable ally makes for a deeply personal experience, and I loved watching their companionship evolve.

A memorable orchestral soundtrack ties the whole experience together. Adding even more emotional weight to the painterly visuals, violins, piano and an impressive mix of vocals underscores the grandeur of the world and the smaller, tender moments between our leading duo. Soft, serene moments – like watching Neva play with other creatures or a bonding cuddle after a hard-fought battle – are even more touching with the lovely composition beneath it all. It’s uplifting at times, harrowing in others, the kind of score that you can feel in your chest with every pulse.

While a somewhat short adventure, Neva never outstays its welcome. Beyond the combat, platforming sections feel precise and never unfair, and there are some neat puzzles to solve, whether through a deeper exploration of your surroundings or shifting the world to different perspectives to create the right pathways. It’s never too taxing, so you can focus more fully on the story being told and the world around you, but they tickle the brain just enough to still be gratifying.

It’s so riveting that I couldn’t help but finish it in just two sittings; it was joyous to see how my canine companion would grow each season, and each change of season comes with new abilities or means of traversal that ensured Neva never felt repetitive or boring. It simply adds more twists and riffs to a strong formula, building on it but never over-complicating things. The ending, which I won’t spoil, made me feel like my heart was in my throat and also didn’t finish up how I was expecting, which was very much appreciated. As the world around Alba and Neva continually fractures apart, their connection only grows closer, and this seemingly simple story about a girl and her pup all comes together beautifully to make one of the most touching experiences of the year.