Neva is definitely a step in the right direction for Nomada Studio.

While Gris was an impressive audiovisual experience, its gameplay mechanics were quite barebones. Neva takes the core mechanics of Gris and improves on them by adding combat and interactions with the animal companion. This results in a more challenging gameplay experience, which experienced players should find more appealing. On the other hand, there is also a story mode suited for more casual gamers that just want to enjoy the beauty of the game without the extra challenge.

Speaking of beauty, the art style of Neva is as breathtaking as that of Gris. The ambiance of the game is a lot darker compared to Gris, but there are also some impressively colorful scenes projecting hope and the feeling of renewal. One obvious influence when it comes to the art style is Studio Ghibli. One can see Hayao Miyazaki's influence when it comes to both the enemies and the animals.

A review of a Nomada Studio game wouldn't be complete without mentioning the music of Berlinist and the way it blends with the art style to guide the flow of the story. Every note enhances the experience, be it a calm moment enjoying the ambience or the heat of battle.

I must admit I was worried whether Nomada Studio would be capable of repeating the success of Gris. But the creators of Gris proved they can not only replicate the brilliance of their previous game but even improve on it.