Let's begin with a controversial statement about the highly anticipated Europa: it's more Osama Tezuka than Studio Ghibli. My review would have come yesterday, but there wasn't enough time to post it. Since then, my feeds have been a deluge of Europa and Studio Ghibli. Yes, it's gorgeous with its watercolour beauty, but it's as comparable to Astro Boy, if not the inbound Shin Chan: Shiro and the Coal Town, without the cheekiness.
Flight, of course, is key in this game from Helder Pinto, but there's much more to it, and the story, while cliche if it were isolated as a logline, is profound. This is pure escapist material where you'll dismiss all your woes and gently slip into one of the most inviting worlds since Omno. A little nod to besties Future Friends there. The land on this moon is lush, and the music is hypnotic. Irrelevant to you but encouraging for me, the score was inspirational, kicking a misfiring synapse in the crotch, evoking a feeling of joy, despite the lonesome protagonist being unsupervised by an adult.
Europa PC Review
Safeguarding aside, our hero, Zee, is an android searching for journal pages left by his late father. Taking place on Europa, a moon of Jupiter, Zee uncovers the abandoned home of humanity that was both productive and destructive - as is often the case. It's a peaceful journey, though some of the machines encountered in the game can be hostile - no doubt due to the former inhabitants. It's a cosy experience comparable to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, but controversial statement number two: better. Add that to the accolades trailer, imaginary friend: 'Better than BOTW'.
If saying, “Cats are crap” doesn’t break the internet, the last statement will, but from my perspective, Europa is better than BOTW. Yikes. With a sprinkle of context, I still haven't finished the Nintendo 'essential', and that's due to beef with durability parameters and going against the grain with some frustrating puzzles. Yes, I'm a minority, but there wasn't an ounce of frustration in Europa besides the playtime, and frustration is too harsh a word. While Zee isn't forced to follow a specific route at a particular time, it isn't an open-world like Link's. That said, there is scope for minor exploration such as hidden items; you just have to be mindful of whether your next step will transition you to the next chapter.
Source: Steam
I'm A Real Boy
As a third-person experience, you move Zee around the environment like any 3D platformer. After seeing a grave from the outset and finding journal-based memoirs scattered throughout the landscape, you'd be forgiven for thinking that Zee is carrying around an oversized urn to 'do the honours'. In reality, this is a device called the Zephyr that enables flight. Besides skidding across the grass without getting any stains that'll make Mum mad, this futuristic Pinocchio can launch into the air, propelled by the Zephyr, gracefully gliding across the moon. Sometimes, there's not enough 'juice', and Zee will be pushed back as if hitting an invisible wall, or have that energy depleted by some dark crystals.
To keep the momentum going, they can collect items that will increase the Zephyr's capacity, thus improving air time, with various illuminated orbs providing a slight boost to the depleting tank. Additionally, air pockets enable Zee to fly around Europa, often serving as a close to the current chapter. Other than the platform elements, there are straightforward puzzles to be solved, usually seeking out a handful of wisps or triggering switches with a pseudo-Super Mario 64 bum-stomp. It's intuitive and sustains an enjoyable rhythm throughout its playtime.
Europa Review Summary
To retract that statement about Ghibli, Europa serves as a cautionary tale about humankind's impact, much like Spirited Away, and basically, there are no antagonists per se. Some gameplay elements may test a few - nothing to break a sweat, more so the lack of challenge. Regardless, Europa maintains its calming effect throughout and is an absolute delight, within the context of cosy and its presentation. It‘s perfect for the Steam Deck, the tool of choice for this review, so fear not if you have a low-spec PC - it runs like a dream.
