As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I must say that Europa is a breath of fresh air in this fast-paced, action-packed gaming world. Coming from titles where the emphasis is on speed and violence, Europa offers a refreshing change of pace – one that invites you to slow down, take in the sights, and appreciate the beauty of its handcrafted landscapes.
In the realm of 3D platformers, it’s rare to find offerings from major studios beyond Nintendo and Sega these days, as the genre has predominantly shifted towards independent developers. The latest addition to this indie platformer scene is Europa, developed by Chozabu and Novadust Entertainment. This game takes visual cues from Studio Ghibli’s works, with its rich, vivid environments featuring soft edges and bright colors, reminiscent of their iconic animated landscapes.
In simpler terms, Europa isn’t designed to be a tough platformer that requires intricate maneuvers to surmount complex obstacle courses. Instead, it invites players to join the journey of its young explorer protagonist and experience the same sense of awe and curiosity that our hero, Zee, feels during his travels.
From the start of the game, Zee possesses a variety of moves: he can jump normally, perform a powerful leap for reaching higher grounds, glide through the air, levitate using his jetpack for prolonged flight exploration, and use energy to light small torches and braziers. Most obstacles in the game require one or more of these movements, and there’s no gradual introduction of new mobility techniques as you progress through the game.
Although some players might find the slow progression a bit discouraging, the overall design of Europa beautifully demonstrates the sophistication of its abilities. The game pushes these abilities to their absolute limits and creatively devises fresh and original applications for the jumping and gliding techniques you’ve been employing during your stay on Jupiter’s moon.
In Europa, movement seems rather fluid, which aligns nicely with the overall tranquil ambiance of the game. Though there may be potential hazards lurking about, you won’t find yourself evading attacks or hacking through things as in other games. Instead, most threats can either be circumvented by choosing a different route or neutralized by locating and deactivating them. For instance, early in the game, turrets might target you after locking on for an extended period, even if you remain still. These attacks from turrets are effortless to dodge by merely moving around, and they can be disabled by finding their control switch nearby.
“Zee has access to just about his entire moveset right from the start of the game”
Exploring Europa becomes quite enjoyable once you get the hang of it; for instance, figuring out how to smoothly transition from gliding into sliding down a slope while preserving speed, or discovering that the blue orbs scattered everywhere prompt you to leap and investigate ruins from various perspectives. This exploration also leads to the game’s collectibles, such as approximately forty hidden emeralds, along with crystals that increase your jetpack’s fuel capacity.
One could easily envision Europa delighting in presenting its tranquil exploration, all the while boasting of its breathtaking landscapes and captivating scenes.
Puzzles in Europe generally aren’t complex, often not requiring prolonged thought or confusion. For instance, many doors can be opened by igniting nearby torches, while certain paths will only open once you gather three spirits and activate a switch with them. The game also features jumping puzzles, but they never become excessively intricate – the most challenging one might involve a block that appears and disappears based on when you press the jump button, requiring precise timing to manipulate these blocks at certain instances.
“Puzzles throughout Europa also tend to be rather simple”
One of the standout features in the game Europa is undoubtedly its stunning visuals. Despite not being a photorealistic game, the Ghibli-esque graphics will make you feel as warm and comfortable as watching any film from the renowned studio. The variety in the visuals is impressive, ranging from serene, verdant landscapes to battlefields long past, now filled with colossal, dormant robots that may have been combatants in these ancient conflicts. There are also underwater levels, each teeming with its own unique ecosystem. To further enhance this immersive experience, the game encourages you to sketch new creatures you encounter during your journey.
It’s noteworthy that this game seems self-confident about its visual appeal, regularly offering various viewpoints to emphasize its distinct levels. Whenever you venture into a new area, it provides an overview of the entire zone so you can see what challenges await and even spot collectibles you might want to gather on your journey.
In this game, a narrative unfolds primarily through a third-person narrator, without relying on scenes or dialogue from other characters. Instead, you unravel the story by exploring and deciphering various visual clues, accompanied by a voice claiming to be Zee’s father. The setting is Jupiter’s moon, Europa, which appears to have been transformed by humans long ago. This transformation has resulted in the creation of a unique ecosystem and even allowed for the rise and decline of empires. Their remnants serve as proof of their former grandeur.
“The game takes place on Jupiter’s eponymous moon, Europa”
In his father’s footsteps, Zee embarks on a journey to personally explore Europa, hoping to gain clarity about life’s purpose along the way. His father’s notes serve as valuable relics throughout the game. Although they are not difficult to locate as they are usually visible near the path leading deeper into the game, they can be disregarded entirely if you prefer a more leisurely pace and wish to avoid the occasional musings of an elderly man.
In essence, the narrative in Europa took a back seat for me, as I found myself drawn in by the stunning graphics and relaxed gameplay. What truly captivated my interest was the opportunity to sketch virtually every creature that inhabited Europa, ranging from its unique, almost robotic butterflies to more familiar animals such as what appeared to be reindeer.
The game called Europa isn’t particularly lengthy, as I finished it in approximately four hours. Most players probably won’t feel compelled to play through again since there aren’t many incentives beyond collectibles. However, Europa is an enjoyable game that provides a tranquil experience for its players and could serve as an excellent introduction to gaming for younger individuals or those new to the medium. The game environment poses no real peril, making exploration more of a relaxing activity than a stressful one. Moreover, the game doesn’t compel you to adhere strictly to its storyline, allowing you to savor the experience and appreciate the beautiful scenery at your own pace.
This game was reviewed on PC.
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2024-10-14 14:12