Europa GBAtemp review
Nintendo Switch
Product Information:
- Publisher: Future Friends Games
- Developer: Novadust Entertainment, Helder Pinto
- Genres: Adventure, exploration
- Also For: Computer
Game Features:
Europa’s story begins when Zee, an android resembling a young boy, receives a message from his “father”, Adam, which encourages him to venture forth across Europa, the moon he is currently in. The latter has been terraformed by humans but they seem to be strangely missing.
As Zee explores this moon of Jupiter, he encounters diary entries from Adam which slowly reveal the history of Europa’s terraforming efforts and the fate of its human settlers. These recordings, scattered across the ruins of utopia, depict a relatable narrative of humanity and nature.
A short journey across a Ghibli-like world
The small development team at Novadust Entertainment have been open about their Ghibli inspirations for Europa and it shows. Its vibrant and colourful landscapes filled with ruins, towering peaks and curious creatures feel like an interactive Studio Ghibli animation.
Another apparent influence is that of The Legend of Zelda with its focus on exploration, but Europa adopts a more relaxed pace. It encourages players to take their time to take in the gorgeous environment, explore their surroundings and fill out their bestiary with sketches of the peculiar “gardener species” left behind to cultivate Europa.
Despite its Ghibli and Zelda inspirations, Europa’s designs are original and feel different than the latter examples. It really thrives on moments of quietude, rather than conflict, and focuses on the simple joy of discovery accompanied by soothing tunes.
Stress-free exploration across Europa
Assisting Zee’s explorations is the Zephyr jetpack. It allows Zee to glide across valleys, boost jump to platforms and stomp on weak floors. It’s really the game’s main mechanic and can even be considered as an extension of Zee’s form. This means of traversal and exploration is original and provides a relaxing experience when Zee chains boots to glide across large distances akin to a bird riding the wind. This sense of freedom pairs well with Europa’s open-world design and cosy aspect.
While it’s a mostly stress-free experience, there are some environmental hazards to bear in mind. Zee will come across turrets and mines that are better avoided. Getting hit by them won’t result in a game-over screen, but will see Zee momentarily stunned. Such encounters serve as a gentle nudge to try a different approach and also make the experience less of a walking simulator. Furthermore, there are some light puzzle elements to keep the player engaged. They aren’t particularly difficult and the game as a whole is rather forgiving.
That said, the solo exploration of Europa’s ruins has some downsides. Across its 3-4 hour playtime, Zee does not interact with any NPC and it’s only Adam’s notes that serve as a storytelling mechanic. The experience is a lonely one across an empty and desolate planet which would have benefited from more interaction and more exposition of its lore as Europa seems to have more to tell than what Adam lets on.
Europa: a tranquil adventure
Europa is available on Switch and PC; and it feels right at home on a handheld. Having played the Switch version, it is a decent version, although not the best one. There are occasional dips in frame rate and noticeable pop-ins, particularly in busier areas. I also experienced crackling audio during some cutscenes and chapter transitions. Even if these issues don’t detract too much from the overall experience, a bit more polish could elevate Europa’s presentation on Nintendo’s handheld.
Overall, Europa is an original, tranquil experience. It wants you to lose yourself in its beautiful, desolate world. It does achieve this aim with its focus on stress-free exploration but the sense of solitude does not always play in its favour. That said, it is more than a decent debut for the indie team and I hope they revisit this universe again.
Europa | Steam & Switch Official Launch Trailer
Verdict
- A beautiful Ghibli-inspired world
- Emphasis on jetpack traversals that blend well with the open-world design
- Some technical issues on the Switch
- World feels lonely and devoid of interactions
