Nintendo Switch Europa Review

Game Details:

Publisher: Future Friends Games
Developer: Novadust Entertainment, Helder Pinto
Genres: Adventure, exploration
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PC


Europa kicks off with Zee, a boy-like android, receiving a message from his creator, Adam. This prompts Zee to explore Europa, a terraformed moon of Jupiter, where humans are mysteriously absent. As Zee roams the moon, he uncovers Adam's diary entries, which reveal the history of Europa's transformation and the fate of its human inhabitants. These scattered records in the utopian ruins tell a relatable tale of humanity's relationship with nature.



Novadust Entertainment openly acknowledges their Studio Ghibli inspiration for Europa, and it's evident in the game's design. The vibrant, colorful landscapes filled with ruins, towering peaks, and unique creatures feel like an interactive Ghibli film. The game also draws inspiration from The Legend of Zelda, focusing on exploration but at a more relaxed pace. Europa encourages players to soak in the beautiful environment, discover their surroundings, and document the unusual "gardener species" left to nurture Europa. Despite these influences, Europa's designs are unique, emphasizing moments of calm over conflict and celebrating the simple joy of discovery, all set to soothing music.



Zee's main tool for exploration is the Zephyr jetpack. This device allows Zee to glide across valleys, boost jump to platforms, and break weak floors. It's the game's primary mechanic and feels like an extension of Zee himself. This method of movement offers a relaxing experience as Zee chains boosts to glide long distances, much like a bird riding air currents. This sense of freedom complements Europa's open-world design and cozy atmosphere. While mostly stress-free, there are some environmental hazards to watch out for, such as turrets and mines. Hitting these won't end the game but will briefly stun Zee, gently nudging players to try different approaches. This prevents the game from becoming a mere walking simulator. Additionally, light puzzle elements keep players engaged without being overly challenging, making the overall experience quite forgiving.

While Europa's solo exploration offers a unique experience, it comes with some drawbacks. Throughout the 3-4 hour journey, Zee doesn't interact with any characters, relying solely on Adam's notes for storytelling. This creates a solitary atmosphere on the barren planet, which could have been enhanced with more interactions and deeper lore exploration, as Europa seems to hold more secrets than Adam reveals.



Available on Switch and PC, Europa feels well-suited for handheld play. The Switch version, while decent, isn't optimal. It occasionally suffers from frame rate drops and noticeable pop-ins, especially in busier areas. Some cutscenes and chapter transitions also experienced audio issues. Although these problems don't significantly impact the overall experience, additional polish could improve Europa's presentation on Nintendo's portable console.

In essence, Europa offers a unique, tranquil adventure. It aims to immerse players in its beautiful, desolate world, largely succeeding through its focus on stress-free exploration. However, the pervasive sense of isolation doesn't always work in its favor. Nonetheless, it's a commendable debut for the indie team, and revisiting this universe in the future could be promising.




A visually stunning Ghibli-inspired world

• Jetpack traversal mechanics complement the open-world design well
• Some technical hiccups on the Switch version
• The world feels somewhat empty and lacks interactive elements.