Neva

 Xbox Series X
Metascore
88

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. TheXboxHub
    Oct 14, 2024
    100
    Neva is a brilliant game. It strikes a perfect balance in terms of length, and the visuals and soundtrack are exceptional. The story, told without words or lengthy cutscenes, is full of heartbreak, hope, and beauty. The gameplay is fun, challenging, and engaging and that all means Neva should be seen as a contender for a game of the year slot.
  2. XboxAddict
    Jan 13, 2025
    90
    Neva is a must play for fans of artistic and narrative games. The tight gameplay mixed with impressive hand drawn graphics and animations make it a joy to play. Its emotional story delivers an experience of love and loss that is enhanced by its beautiful score and immersive environment. You’ll spend about 3 to 4 hours within the world of Neva, and for me it flew by. I don’t know if it’s a game I will revisit more than once, but it’s a game that I am sure glad I experienced.
  3. ZTGD
    Dec 10, 2024
    90
    Neva is quite the masterpiece of a video game. With its breathtaking art direction, engaging gameplay and moving narrative it is a game that will resonate with players on a personal level much like this years Tales of Kenzara: Zau. I have always heard great things about Nomada Studio’s Gris but I never game it a shot. Based on how good Neva is, I really feel like I am missing out and plan to correct that mistake in the very near future.
  5. Movies Games and Tech
    Dec 5, 2024
    90
    Neva is a practically perfect indie title! Every aspect of this game will impress you. The visuals are fantastic and the audio is wonderfully atmospheric. Accordingly, this is a must-play game! The only downside is the relatively linear action.
  6. Windows Central
    Nov 4, 2024
    90
    Neva cements Nomada Studio as a master of color and art design, with phenomenal visuals and animations that make the powerful, emotional narrative even more impactful. Neva also dramatically improves gameplay versus GRIS with satisfying combat and platforming. My only major grip is that the journey is simply over too soon.
  7. Impulsegamer
    Oct 15, 2024
    88
    Strong artistic direction, simple, yet compelling gameplay, and another transcendental Berlinist score make Neva easy to recommend. As beautiful as it is touching, Nomada has once again proved that they are the masters of creating experiences that you point at feverishly whenever anyone tells you games can’t also be art. However, Neva backs up its impressive artistry with solid gameplay by blending easy-to-pick-up, tough-to-master platforming with some simple yet deep combat and brilliant boss battles. But best of all though, it has a puppy you can pet.
  8. SomosXbox
    Oct 14, 2024
    88
    Neva takes the elemments that make Gris a success and evolves them into new heights. Nomada Studio's new game has now a satisfactory combat system and more clever puzzles, but keeping its own visual beauty.
  9. XboxEra
    Oct 14, 2024
    85
    Fans of the genre are unlikely to find a better game this year than this. Now I’m off to have a good cry and hug my kids.
  10. Vandal
    Oct 14, 2024
    85
    Quotation forthcoming.
  11. Gamer.no
    Oct 14, 2024
    80
    Another utterly stunning platformer from the team that brought you Gris. The sometimes challenging combat does feel out of place, but the engaging visuals, music, and characters are more than enough to make Neva a worthwhile experience.
  12. Jeuxvideo.com
    Oct 14, 2024
    80
    After the sublime Gris, Nomada Studio is back with an action-adventure game that, under its appearance of an ecological fable with a young woman and her wolf, actually has a much heavier message. And we liked the way Neva took us by surprise. The latest baby from the Spanish team also comes back with a superb artistic direction, where the nature full of details contrasts with the “emptiness” of certain passages, marked by a surrealism that echoes Gris… In Neva, Nomada also offers - for the first time - action-adventure phases and does more than well. The demons that Alba must face give rise to gripping action phases, well staged, where a certain tension reigns (without ever falling into an excessive challenge). A very beautiful adventure that we recommend.
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  1. Xboxygen
    Nov 5, 2024
    Neva's story is both beautiful and moving. It brilliantly explores strong, universal themes such as parenthood, love, war and the cruel, unchanging cycle of life. Its sumptuous art direction, engaging characters and ingenious gameplay mechanics, combining environmental puzzles and intense combat, make this title the kind of golden nugget we would like to see more of. Neva is one of those rare games that leaves a lasting impression and that you will not come away from unscathed. A big thank you to the developers for demonstrating their talent and proving that video games are an art form in their own right.