
Release Date: October 11, 2024
A narrative adventure game about an android exploring the secrets of an abandoned world. The title is an independent project by one of Blizzard Entertainment's studio employees, who was inspired by films created by Studio Ghibli.
Europa is an indie narrative adventure game inspired by the films created by Studio Ghibli. Its originator and chief designer is Helder Pinto, who combined his work on the game with his role as art director at Blizzard Entertainment (Overwatch series). He was supported in the creative process by friends, including Alex Petherick-Brian (programming), Craig Harris (animation) and Brian Horn (narration and cinematic interludes).
The story depicts the fate of an android named Zee, who takes a journey on the titular paradise moon in the shadow of Jupiter. The protagonist explores the desolate world, learning about the history of an ancient civilization and the last living human being.
Europa is a first-person game with a play model focused on solving puzzles, uncovering secrets and exploring a desolate yet extremely colorful land. As the android Zee, we take a journey, moving both on land, water and even the heavens. This is possible thanks to the use of the Zephyr jetpack, which gains new capabilities over time. It allows for instant movement between locations.
Noteworthy is the diversity of the visited places - at every step we come across traces of ancient people, including abandoned villages, monumental fortresses or ubiquitous huge robots. They appear in a variety of scenery, including among great lakes, snowy peaks or sky-high islands.
Platforms:
PC Windows
Nintendo Switch
Developer: Helder Pinto
Publisher: Future Friends Games
Age restrictions: none
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System Requirements for Europa Video Game:
PC / Windows
Minimum System Requirements:
Dual Core, 6 GB RAM, graphic card 1 GB GeForce GTX 650 or better, 8 GB HDD, Windows 7/8/10.
Game Ratings for Europa Video Game.
Eurogamer: 4 / 5 by Emma Kent
With spectacular landscapes and soothing music, Europa is a deeply zen experience - yet is also capable of delivering some hard-hitting messages.
VGamingNews: 6 / 10 by Drew Sherratt
Europa isn’t quite the boundless adventure that I was expecting. The joyful aerial exploration is held back by portions of lead-heavy ground traversal, slowing the gameplay to a crawl and sapping enjoyment from the experience. The visuals are striking at a distance but fail to hold up to closer scrutiny, making the decision not to make the game an entirely fly-by experience all the more baffling. Underpinned by a meaningful message that’s delivered with real heart, and boasting an incredibly powerful soundtrack, Europa, sadly, feels like an agonising near-miss.
CBR: 6 / 10 by C. M. Ramsburg
While Europa lacks depth and replayability, the game's $15 price point still makes it well worth the cost. Despite the linear landscapes and limited game play, players can expect to get at least four hours of entertainment out of the main storyline. Given its focus on visuals, music, and storytelling, Europa is most ideal for those looking for an easy and relaxing gaming experience.