Europa
- October 11, 2024
- Novadust Entertainment
- 4h median play time
Get on Steam"Europa" is a single-player Mystery Action game with an emotive storyline, set on the verdant moon Europa. As an android named Zee, explore the breathtaking world, solve puzzles within the ruins of a fallen civilization, and discover humanity's relationship with nature in this 3-4 hour adventure. With free-flowing movement and a delightful soundtrack, "Europa" invites you to run, glide and fly across the landscape, building power and momentum as you search for answers.
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Reviews
- Beautiful visuals and art style reminiscent of Studio Ghibli, creating a serene and immersive atmosphere.
- Relaxing gameplay with simple mechanics that encourage exploration and a cozy experience.
- Touching story with emotional depth, enhanced by a soothing soundtrack that complements the visuals.
- Controls can feel floaty and imprecise, leading to frustrating platforming sections and difficulty in navigation.
- The game is relatively short, with some players feeling it lacks depth and replay value after completing it.
- Linear gameplay with invisible walls and limited exploration options can detract from the sense of freedom and discovery.
- story75 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story of the game is described as beautiful and emotionally engaging, often compared to the works of Studio Ghibli, with themes of environmental exploitation and personal reflection. While some players found the narrative predictable and lacking depth, many appreciated the heartfelt storytelling delivered through diary entries and audio logs, set against stunning visuals and a captivating soundtrack. Overall, the game offers a cozy exploration experience with a touching narrative, though opinions vary on its execution and emotional impact.
“The game had a story about a father coming to terms with his creations.”
“The story is the heart of Europa, and I'm glad to follow Adam's steps within such a heartwarming world, where every environment, creature, and detail is beautifully crafted.”
“The story was amazing; what I thought was going to be a relatively straightforward story evolved into such a remarkable tale which genuinely made me emotional by the end.”
“The story never provided any hooks to draw me in emotionally; it has very little relevance to the gameplay, and it's also extremely predictable.”
“The story feels incohesive.”
“Where the game falls short is that the story is entirely told through the 'old man's' monologue in the book that you pick up pages for through your journey, but within the world itself there's little to no worldbuilding/storybuilding.”
- gameplay60 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is characterized as simple and cozy, with mechanics that encourage exploration and puzzle-solving, but many players find it lacking in depth and challenge. While the flying mechanic is highlighted as enjoyable, the overall experience can feel linear and repetitive, with some mechanics frustratingly imprecise. The game is visually stunning and offers a relaxing atmosphere, making it more appealing for those who prioritize aesthetics over complex gameplay.
“It was a great cozy game that has the design elements of Zelda, Ghibli movies, and I enjoyed the mechanics of the Zephyr.”
“The game introduces the 'flying' mechanic pretty early on and it's by far its most fun and engaging thing you can do.”
“The gameplay is relaxing and pleasant, and the story is compelling.”
“But gameplay-wise, it was too simple for me.”
“The game tries to keep things fresh by gradually adding new puzzle mechanics, but since I never saw a need to actually switch my brain on, they eventually felt like chores rather than an engaging experience.”
“The open-world looking graphics belie the fact that this game runs on a very narrow rail, and the mechanic for keeping the player on that rail (sudden wind and clouds that blow you back on the beaten track) comes out of nowhere to spank you for being curious.”
- music58 mentions
- 72 % positive mentions
- 22 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its beauty and ability to enhance the overall experience, often described as calming, soothing, and emotionally engaging. Many players noted that the soundtrack complements the stunning visuals and narrative, creating a relaxing atmosphere reminiscent of Studio Ghibli films. While some found the music to be somewhat repetitive or sleepy, the majority praised it as a standout feature that elevates the gameplay.
“I yearned for nothing more than to enjoy the music and the sightseeing while playing, and it truly delivered.”
“The music is absolutely fantastic and that cannot be overstated.”
“Boring and sleepy piano/synth music, the same music I listen to fall asleep.”
“The soundtrack is so calming.”
“The music wraps around you like a warm blanket and the puzzles and mystery are all enjoyable.”
- graphics50 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning, low-poly art style that evokes a whimsical, Ghibli-like atmosphere, creating beautiful and imaginative environments. Players appreciate the combination of vibrant visuals and a soothing soundtrack, which together enhance the overall experience, although some feel the focus on aesthetics may detract from gameplay. Overall, the visuals are considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and emotional impact.
“Europa uses low-poly graphics to create beautiful, imaginative, diverse environments.”
“The visuals and music are so stunning at times it almost brought me to tears.”
“Beautiful artwork and smooth movement in this captivating, fairytale-like environment.”
“You play the happy-go-lucky final survivor of a genocide who rambles about merrily with nary a thought in your empty head, which clashes quite a bit with the cheerful mellow graphics.”
“Too much focus on graphics and being a 'chill' game that it just misses out on being fun.”
“I feel like I've seen this kind of art style in many games, but it lacks the bit that makes it unique.”
- emotional16 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its touching and heartfelt story, complemented by a beautiful soundtrack and visuals that create an immersive experience. While some reviewers found the narrative predictable, many appreciated its ability to evoke genuine emotions and provide a cozy, wholesome atmosphere. Overall, the game is praised for its emotional depth, making it a delightful experience for players seeking a peaceful and engaging journey.
“Really great game, the story is touching and sweet, and the soundtrack is simply amazing.”
“The music and visuals are perfect and the story is so heartfelt.”
“The story was amazing, what I thought was going to be a relatively straightforward story evolved into such a remarkable tale which genuinely made me emotional by the end.”
- atmosphere7 mentions
- 71 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 29 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its chill and relaxing qualities, enhanced by a captivating soundtrack and stunning visuals. Reviewers highlight the gorgeous scenery and immersive moments that create a soothing, storybook experience, making it ideal for players seeking a tranquil gaming environment.
“The music and atmospheric sounds were a 10/10 for me.”
“If you're looking for a soothing storybook experience with some very light puzzling and an amazing atmosphere, this is the right kind of game.”
“The focus is on the music, visuals, and ultimately a relaxing atmosphere.”
“I have seen Crash Bandicoot fan games that had more narrative, a better atmosphere, and gameplay depth.”
- grinding3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, particularly due to the lack of indicators for missed collectibles, which complicates the completionist experience. Additionally, character control issues and slow movement in expansive environments contribute to the frustration, making exploration feel less enjoyable.
“I found it tedious to the point that I didn't want to explore too much to avoid running into them and stalling me for a few seconds each time.”
“Character control can leave something to be desired, and moving through the relatively large environment can become intensely tedious and slow at the moment the fun meter (levitation) is reduced to zero.”
“The story was good if not a bit generic, but the lack of indicators on chapter select for missed emeralds, chests, or zephyr upgrades makes achieving 100% completion a tedious task.”
- character development2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
While the game's writing, art style, and soundtrack contribute to an engaging story, the character development is notably lacking, with some reviewers considering it a significant missed opportunity.
“The writing, art style, character design, narration, and soundtrack all culminated in an incredibly engaging story.”
“His character development is a huge missed opportunity: there is none.”
“The characters feel one-dimensional and lack any meaningful growth throughout the game.”
“I was disappointed by how predictable and shallow the character arcs were.”
- stability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game demonstrates excellent stability on the Steam Deck, with users reporting smooth performance during gameplay.
“It runs great on Steam Deck.”
“The game maintains a steady frame rate, even during intense action sequences.”
“I haven't experienced any crashes or bugs, which makes for a smooth gaming experience.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Many users feel that the game lacks sufficient replayability and suggest that additional downloadable content (DLC) could enhance its longevity and encourage players to revisit it.
“Maybe this could be a DLC to give it some replay value?”
“Once you complete the game, there's little incentive to play it again.”
“The lack of varied endings makes replaying feel pointless.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Overall, users find the optimization to be commendable, noting that the performance is strong relative to its reasonable price.
“The price is decent, and the performance is really good.”
“The optimization in this game allows for smooth gameplay even on lower-end systems.”
“I appreciate how the developers have fine-tuned the settings for maximum efficiency.”
