Neva

The main pros of the game

• Visual Aesthetics: The game is praised for its stunning art style and visuals, often described as breathtaking and deserving of being framed as artwork. Users noted that every frame could serve as a wallpaper.
• Emotional Storytelling: Despite the lack of dialogue, the narrative is considered deeply moving, exploring themes of loss, companionship, and the cycle of life. Many players found themselves emotionally affected, with some reporting tears during gameplay.
• Soundtrack: The music is frequently highlighted as being beautiful and perfectly complementing the gameplay and emotional tone of the story.
• Gameplay Mechanics: While simple, the platforming and combat mechanics are generally seen as well-executed and enjoyable. The addition of combat, while basic, adds a new layer to the experience compared to the developers' previous title, Gris.
• Short Playtime: The game's length (around 4-5 hours) is seen as a positive, making it accessible for players looking for a quick yet impactful experience.

The main cons of the game

• Combat Limitations: Many users found the combat to be simplistic and lacking depth. Some expressed frustration with hit detection and the overall design of combat encounters.
• Pacing Issues: Several reviews mentioned that the pacing can feel slow, especially during exploration segments, which may detract from the overall experience.
• Story Clarity: While the emotional impact is acknowledged, some players felt the story was confusing or lacked depth compared to Gris, with a few noting that the ending left them unsatisfied or unclear about its implications.
• Repetitiveness: Some puzzles and gameplay elements were described as repetitive, which could detract from the overall enjoyment for certain players.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

• Deeper Gameplay Mechanics: Players expressed a desire for more complex combat mechanics and platforming challenges, wishing for a greater variety of abilities and interactions.
• Exploration and Collectibles: While some players enjoyed the collectible aspect, others felt that the exploration could be enhanced with more intricate puzzles or challenges that utilize the full range of gameplay mechanics.
• Narrative Depth: A few users mentioned that the story could benefit from more clarity or a more cohesive narrative arc, suggesting that the emotional themes could be better integrated into the gameplay mechanics.
• Quality of Life Improvements: Some players pointed out technical issues, such as the lack of ultrawide support and keyboard controls, which could enhance the gaming experience.

Summary

• Overall, Neva is celebrated for its artistic and emotional depth but faces criticism for its gameplay mechanics and narrative execution compared to its predecessor, Gris.

Summary generated on: October 30, 2025