“Europa” is the Perfect Game to Play this Winter Season
If you’re looking for something quick and easy to pick up and put down this holiday/winter season, then have you considered Europa?
Europa is described as a peaceful game of adventure, exploration and meditation—and it fits all of those descriptions aptly. With its smooth gliding mechanics, a flying jetpack and many collectibles, the puzzle platforming adventure provides a ton of fun. It also packs an unexpectedly touching story about searching for answers and discovering the secrets of the last human alive. The Ghibli-inspired art style adds just as much beauty to the game, wrapping it all up in the magic that is Europa.
The parts that drew me to the game more than anything were the levels—or “chapters” as the game categorizes them—that take place in the mountains. Snowy caps, gusts of wind you have to shelter from and an incredibly soothing soundtrack give those chapters a much-appreciated doze of Winter. There were time where traversing those mountains felt like exploring a Christmas movie, and I absolutely loved every minute of it.
The game isn’t perfect by any means. I finished Europa in one sitting around the 3 to 4 hour mark (without finding every collectible). While I appreciate games that don’t overstay their welcome, I felt like I could’ve stuck around with Zee and the Zephyr jetpack for a little longer. I also wished Europa was a bit heavier on the exploration; chapters felt much more linear than the game potentially intended them to be, and the length of each chapter wasn’t very consistent.
With that said, I’ll be keeping an eye on Novadust Entertainment / Helder Pinto. If Europa is just their way to test the waters for a fully open world 3D game, then I cannot wait for what they might come up with next.
Until then, I’ll appreciate the cozy, if sometimes cold, times I had with Europa. And if you’re looking for the perfect game to pick up this winter season, then look no further than this mysterious utopia that is begging to be explored.
