Europa review – ecological ruminations on a distant moon

Did you know that Studio Ghibli got its name from an Italian plane? As the story goes, founder Hayao Miyazaki took inspiration from a World War II era aircraft called the Caproni Ca.309, which was used for reconnaissance in the North African desert. The plane was commonly known by its nickname Ghibli, which roughly translates to ‘southern wind’ in Libyan Arabic. A Ghibli wind is known as a fierce, hot and dry air current that carries dust from the North African interior towards the Mediterranean sea. For this reason, some have speculated that Miyazaki chose the name to indicate Studio Ghibli’s intention to shake up the animation industry.

Europa reviewDeveloper: Novadust Entertainment / Helder PintoPublisher: Future Friends GamesPlatform: Played on PCAvailability: Out now on Nintendo Switch and PC (Steam).

There’s a sense of wind in Europa, too – a game that seems to have been heavily inspired by the works of Miyazaki. But Europa’s wind is more of a gentle guide than a disruptive force. It nudges you along the main path, pushing you up hilltops and towards doorways to lead you through the world. It encourages you to linger and bobble above vibrant landscapes – giving you a chance to absorb their beauty, and understand their inherent worth. This is a game all about flow, and the importance of being in-tune with the world around you. And, more ominously, it’s a warning of the potentially dire consequences for the human race should we continue to separate ourselves from nature.

Set on one of Jupiter’s moons in the distant future, Europa sees you play as Zee – a mysterious android child who seems to be totally alone in an alien landscape. Scattered throughout this world are pages of a journal, written by a man called Adam, who identifies himself as Zee’s father. Addressing his son through the journal, Adam reveals that he is no longer alive, and Zee should visit him on ‘The Island’ should he ever start to feel lonely. Floating above the landscape and viewable at all times, this is a vast levitating city that apparently holds the last of humanity on Europa. To find out answers about what happened on this strange moon, this is where you must head.