Europa
Release Date: October 11, 2024
Adventure, TPP, science fiction, indie games, exploration games, singleplayer
OpenCritic
A narrative adventure game about an android exploring the secrets of an abandoned world. The title is an independent project by one of Blizzard Entertainment's studio employees, who was inspired by films created by Studio Ghibli.
Europa is an indie narrative adventure game inspired by the films created by Studio Ghibli. Its originator and chief designer is Helder Pinto, who combined his work on the game with his role as art director at Blizzard Entertainment (Overwatch series). He was supported in the creative process by friends, including Alex Petherick-Brian (programming), Craig Harris (animation) and Brian Horn (narration and cinematic interludes).
Plot
The story depicts the fate of an android named Zee, who takes a journey on the titular paradise moon in the shadow of Jupiter. The protagonist explores the desolate world, learning about the history of an ancient civilization and the last living human being.
Mechanics
Europa is a first-person game with a play model focused on solving puzzles, uncovering secrets and exploring a desolate yet extremely colorful land. As the android Zee, we take a journey, moving both on land, water and even the heavens. This is possible thanks to the use of the Zephyr jetpack, which gains new capabilities over time. It allows for instant movement between locations.
Noteworthy is the diversity of the visited places - at every step we come across traces of ancient people, including abandoned villages, monumental fortresses or ubiquitous huge robots. They appear in a variety of scenery, including among great lakes, snowy peaks or sky-high islands.
Videos and Screens
[1:04] Europa Europa – Release Date Trailer – Nintendo Switch
[1:32] Europa Europa - Switch Reveal Gameplay Trailer
Checkpoint Gaming: 8 / 10 by David McNamara
A lovely, beautifully crafted adventure, Europa feels like stepping into a piece of art. Its art direction is nothing short of magnificent, supported by an atmospheric soundtrack and fantastic voice acting. Flying through its gorgeous biomes is tactile and relaxing, and its short narrative compels you through its intriguing world. Despite a few frustrating mechanics interrupting its flow, Europa is a stunning little indie that'll delight gamers looking for a chilled-out few hours.
The Outerhaven Productions: 3.5 / 5 by Jordan Andow
Europa is a beautiful adventure, that combines simple puzzles with emotion-filled music and free-flowing traversal throughout a gorgeous landscape. It truly is a Journey like experience, I just wish it had leaned into that even more.
GBAtemp: 7 / 10 by Prans Dunn
Europa offers a short and tranquil experience that encourages exploring its Ghibli-like universe in a stress-free manner.
Europa Summary
Platforms:
PC / Windows
Switch
Developer: Helder Pinto
Publisher: Future Friends Games
Age restrictions: none
Europa System Requirements
PC / Windows
Minimum: Dual Core, 6 GB RAM, graphic card 1 GB GeForce GTX 650 or better, 8 GB HDD, Windows 7/8/10