Europa really lives up to the hype? With its Ghibli visual inspiration, the independent title has captured the attention of gamers since its first announcement, which dates back to June 2018. Here we are six years later and the game has finally been available on Steam and Nintendo Switch since October 11th. The wait has not been easy but it is clear that Europa has arrived at the right time.
Cozy games are at the height of their popularity and this video game experience ticks all the boxes of a must-have in the genre. While the craze around this game comes mainly from its aesthetics, the experience is not based solely on this aspect and has many more surprises than you might think. For less than €15, Europa is a memorable little gem that deserves your full attention. But if you're still hesitant, here are three reasons to embark on this adventure without further delay.
Visuals and a relaxing atmosphere
The game's main argument is to offer a journey into a dreamlike world with an atmosphere worthy of of a Ghibli film, and it goes without saying that the bet is successful. From its staging, to its music, through the narration and the environment, Europa is a true waking dream as we would like to experience every day. Far from Earth and on the edge of our solar system, Jupiter's moon has been terraformed to become a lush paradise. The origins of this environment not only allow for a captivating storyline to be born, but also for an exotic universe that almost makes us want to pass through the screen.
The fauna, flora, architecture and machines all seem in harmony and reinforce the image of utopia that the title tries to convey. The work of artistic direction is truly remarkable. In the time of a few hours of play, we easily let ourselves be transported into this world where the vices of humanity have no place. This visual and sensory journey offered by Europa is also supported by simple but perfectly mastered gameplay mechanics.
Float like in a dream
If you like contemplative titles like Journey or Abzû, Europa is for you. After a short introduction to the limited capabilities in order to get to grips with the controls, the title quickly allows a very satisfying freedom of movement. In order to successfully complete his initiatory journey, Zee – the little android that we play – must explore Jupiter’s moon and solve its mysteries. But it is not easy to move around on foot in all these terraformed reliefs and these immense structures built to accommodate humans. Fortunately, our protagonist is equipped with a canister capable of storing energy that allows him to fly.
We then take a mischievous pleasure in gliding over the green plains while taking care to recover enough energy to never run out. But we must not let ourselves get carried away either. While the feeling of flying is particularly effective, you sometimes have to let yourself fall to discover hidden secrets and solve puzzles. Even on the ground, the game has taken care to work on its movements to make them more enjoyable. It is then possible to slide on the hills and step over obstacles to optimize our path. Once launched, it is difficult to stop as we want to discover new facets of this magical world.
An experience to savor in just a few hours
Europa proves once again that the shortest video game pleasures can also be the most memorable. It will only take 4 to 5 hours to complete the adventure, or even a little more for completionists who don't want to miss any objects. This may not seem like much, but at a time when games are getting longer and players have less and less time, it’s so nice to discover a title with such a powerful emotional impact after just a few hours of play. Like Dordogne last year, Europa is a pleasure that would be a shame to miss out on as it’s so easy to enjoy.
Zee's story unfolds naturally and the narration works perfectly well. It is by finding the pages of his grandfather's diary that the little robot learns the symbolism behind this terraformed moon and discovers the mission he must fulfill. With this format, Europa has all the makings of a video game tale that never fails to hit us right in the heart. This poetic reflection on humanity is truly worthy of the Ghibli-esque character that the title boasts.
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