We've had our eye on indie gem Neva lately as it fast approaches its Xbox launch - the follow-up to 2018's Gris has looked rather appealing since it was first announced. Well, the game comes out today, and the early reviews are incredibly positive so far.

We're looking at an overall score of 86 on Metacritic and an OpenCritic rating of 87, so yeah, this one is definitely worth a look on Xbox! We'll throw a few review examples down below so you can get a flavour of what's to come in Neva.

The Indie Informer (10/10)

"Neva had me open my heart just to feel the slice of the narrative’s knife all the more keenly. I don’t care what you’re currently playing or what you have on your backlog. Put them aside immediately and play this game. It’s destined to rank among the year’s unrivaled titles."

TheGamer (10/10)

"Neva is one of the most beautiful games I’ve ever played, from the watercolour art style to the clever direction. But it surprised me in its mechanical complexity and combat execution; you always need to keep your fingers fast and mind faster. Add a lifelong vulpine companion to the mix, and you’ve got an all-timer on your hands."

Daily Mirror (5/5)

"Neva is a Ghibli-esque adventure of torture, triumph, and friendship that won’t fail to tug on your heart strings. Combining beautiful visuals, with precise platforming and combat that coats every action you make with endless heart, it’s easily one of the best games of the year and by far my favourite indie of 2024."

Nintendo Life (9/10)

"Neva is a spectacular example of art in motion, delivering a thoroughly engrossing platforming experience that'll stick in your mind long after you've rolled credits. The incredible visuals, moving soundtrack, satisfying gameplay, and surprisingly touching story all come together to make for a game that shouldn't miss. A few frame drops aside, if you're looking for a new addition to your library that'll give you something to savour rather than just consume, look no further than Neva."

Push Square (9/10)

"These gameplay moments and the parts where every aspect of the experience comes together to work in harmony aren't quite common enough. We wish some mechanics stuck around for longer, but it does keep the experience fresh and consistently exciting, making Neva another hit from the small Barcelona-based studio."

PCGamesN (8/10)

"Neva is a poignant platformer that's a worthy successor to the award-winning Gris. Its intricate and stunning Ghibliesque world is a visual marvel, and while its combat isn't wholly free from frustration, its stirring narrative ensures no dry eye in the room."

Gamer Escape (8/10)

"What we have is still a beautiful experience with both heart-warming and -rending moments. A game that is just as solidly built as Nomada's previous work, with some new twists that show them sticking a few toes out of their comfort zone. But it's impossible to not compare it to Gris, a game that still rings in my mind to this day, and I don't think Neva quite reaches the same heights."


Neva launches for Xbox Series X and S today, October 15, and the team's predecessor Gris is available right now on Xbox Game Pass.

Is this tempting you to try out Neva on Xbox? Tell us what you're thinking down below.