Journey and Studio Ghibli Fans Should Keep an Eye on Europa

Europa, Novadust Entertainment's upcoming action-adventure game, is slated for release this October. In development for over six years, Europa is being marketed as a serene game of adventure, exploration, and meditation. Notably, this indie title is generating buzz for its vibrant art style, which draws comparisons to the iconic aesthetics of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Studio Ghibli films.

Beyond its captivating visuals, Europa has all the makings to become a major indie success story due to its unique, non-violent gameplay. Reminiscent of the 2012 adventure game Journey, Europa prioritizes exploration and puzzle platforming while weaving in emotionally thought-provoking themes. As such, this thoughtful approach to storytelling, combined with its stunning visuals and immersive gameplay, gives the game a solid start in the indie landscape.

Europa Offers A Peaceful Adventure Tailor-Made for Cozy Gamers

Studio Ghibli Played a Critical Part in Europa's Design

Following the release of a playable demo on Steam and PC earlier this year, Europa's strong Ghibli influence became immediately apparent. As confirmed in an interview by Creative Director Helder Pinto, films such as Howl's Moving Castle, Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro, and Castle in the Sky significantly shaped the artistic direction and overall atmosphere of the game. This connection to Ghibli's style highlights how Europa aims to offer a visually enchanting and emotionally resonant experience.

Furthermore, much like the Ghibli films that often explore journeys of self-discovery and growth, Europa's narrative is intimate and introspective. It centers on the protagonist, an android boy named Zee, and his connection to the world as he seeks to unravel the tale of "the last human alive" on a moon called Europa. Compellingly, Europa is described as a terraformed paradise in the shadow of Jupiter, once home to a flourishing utopia. The game’s lush meadows, shimmering lakes, and towering mountains evoke the same otherworldly feeling captured by Ghibli, making Europa more than just a game, but an immersive experience that resonates both emotionally and visually.

"Europa is described as a terraformed paradise in the shadow of Jupiter, once home to a flourishing utopia."

Europa Offers a Familiar Comfort for Journey Fans

Similar to Journey, Europa provides a serene and meditative experience focused on exploration and discovery. In the 2012 title, players guide a robed figure through a vast desert towards a distant mountain, occasionally using a magic scarf to fly. This mechanic underscored Journey's profound sense of awe and solitude, contributing to the game's emotional impact.

Europa features its own physics-based elements, creating a sense of weightlessness. In the demo, Zee acquires a Zephyr jetpack, which players can use to boost and coast through the air. As the game progresses, players can upgrade their jetpack, mastering its abilities to traverse the land, soar through the skies, and navigate wind tunnels.

Strikingly, both Europa and Journey prioritize minimalist storytelling, relying on the landscape and subtle narrative cues to convey their narratives. Europa's emphasis on free-flowing movement and exploration of breathtaking environments echoes Journey's fluid mechanics. In this way, it seems the developers are inviting players to immerse themselves in the journey, rather than solely focusing on the destination.

As briefly mentioned by Pinto, the game's lore reveals that the last human alive, facing the imminent extinction of humanity, created an android resembling a child before their passing. This backstory suggests that players will have opportunities to explore the narrative surrounding the catastrophic event that wiped out civilization while also guiding Zee in discovering his place in this foreign world. Even if details remain scarce after the game's launch, it's certain to resonate with fans of both Journey and Studio Ghibli.

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