Devolver Digital, the developer behind the gorgeous award-winning platform-adventure game GRIS, reveals Neva, a new title scheduled to hit the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam in 2024.
Neva chronicles the story of Alba, a young woman bound to a curious wolf cub following a traumatic encounter with dark forces. Together they embark on a perilous journey through a once-beautiful world as it slowly decays around them. Over time, their relationship will evolve as they learn to work together, helping one another to brave increasingly dangerous situations. The wolf will grow from a rebellious cub to an imposing adult seeking to forge his own identity, testing Alba’s love and their commitment to one another.
Adrian Cuevas, the co-founder of Devolver Digital, explained on the PlayStation Blog that the idea came from the dire issues that the world was facing. “After finishing Gris, we enjoyed a long period of tranquility and reflection. During this time, we began to really digest what was happening in the world around us; climate change, social unrest, and most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic. All of this created an idea for the setting of Neva,” he said.
The heartfelt relationship between the young girl and teenage wolf apparently is a refection from the parent and children, and how they were emotionally related in often complicated contexts. While the wolf is constantly changing from childhood, puberty, and adulthood, how does it alter the relationship with the ones that she loved?
Gameplay-wise, Neva seems to be a 2D platformer featuring puzzles and combat elements with minimal UI, delicate art, high-quality traditional animation, and an elegant music score. And according to what we’ve experienced in GRIS, it should be a feast for the eyes too.
