Neva is the heartfelt dog adventure worth finding on PS Plus
Some games are designed to leave an impression long after the credits. Neva, the 2024 adventure from Nomada Studio, combines expressive platforming, striking artwork and a deeply affecting story about companionship, loss and perseverance.
The studio first drew widespread attention with Gris in 2018. That dialogue-free platformer used painterly visuals and a moving soundtrack to explore depression and grief. Neva retains that emotional focus while expanding the formula with combat, danger and a companion who grows alongside the player.
PlayStation players can experience Neva through a PlayStation Plus Extra or Premium subscription. It is also a strong example of how a focused independent game can sit comfortably among the standout releases of the 2020s.
A bond between Alba and Neva
You play as Alba, a young woman living in a forest rendered in vivid green and pink tones. A spreading corruption is threatening the world around her, forcing Alba to fight for survival. Her journey is shared with Neva, a dog companion whose name is also the game’s only spoken word.
Alba sometimes says “Neva” gently during quiet moments. When the dog is in danger, however, the name becomes a desperate cry. That small detail gives their largely wordless relationship a remarkable sense of intimacy.
A tragedy affects both characters at the beginning of the game and changes the direction of their lives. From there, their relationship develops through action rather than lengthy explanations. Alba and Neva depend on one another, creating the kind of emotional connection that will feel particularly familiar to anyone who has shared their life with a dog.
From vulnerable puppy to powerful companion
Neva begins as a small puppy, then gradually grows into a large, imposing canine reminiscent of the wolves in Princess Mononoke. That physical development is tied directly to the gameplay.
Unlike Gris, Neva includes combat and fail states. The world is dangerous, and Neva’s changing abilities reflect the pair’s growing confidence. The puppy is not equipped to handle every early confrontation, but becomes an important and formidable ally as the journey continues.
The main enemies are black, hulking creatures wearing white masks. Their unsettling appearance recalls the eerie simplicity of No Face from Spirited Away, but their attacks pose a genuine threat to Alba and Neva.
Alba’s combat options are deliberately straightforward. This is not a game built around mastering a huge arsenal or defeating endless waves for its own sake. The limited fighting system keeps attention on the emotional stakes: protecting Neva and surviving together matters more than spectacle.
Platforming through a beautiful, threatened world
Combat is only one part of the experience. Most of the adventure is spent moving through platforming sections, with Alba leaping across enormous trees, ruined structures and imposing architecture beneath an ominous red sky.
These sequences build on the movement that made Gris so appealing. Each region introduces another evocative landscape, and the visual design does much of the storytelling without relying on dialogue.
For players who enjoy carefully presented adventure games, the broader arcade and gaming blog has more features to explore. Those planning a dedicated games room can also browse RETROCADE’s arcade machine buying guide or see the range of compact bartop arcades.
A compact game with lasting emotional weight
Neva takes approximately four hours to complete, making it a manageable weekend game rather than a sprawling commitment. That shorter length suits its focused story and carefully paced progression.
It brings together the emotional complexity associated with Gris, expressive platforming and a more active combat system. Players who connect with Alba and Neva can continue their story with the Neva: Prologue DLC, which launched earlier in 2026 and explores how the pair first came into each other’s lives.
For a moving adventure centred on the relationship between a person and a dog, Neva is easy to recommend. Its beautiful world may draw you in, but the bond between Alba and Neva is what stays with you.
Leave a Reply