Europa is a 3D adventure platformer set in a terraformed version of Jupiter’s titular moon. Read our review to see what it did well, what it didn't do well, and if it's worth buying.

Europa Review Overview

What is Europa?

Europa is a breathtaking 3D adventure platformer set on Jupiter's newly terraformed moon. You’ll follow Zee, a young boy on an epic journey across lush, grassy fields, through ancient battlegrounds, and over the ruins of a forgotten past. His goal? To reach a mystical floating island in the sky—a place his late father cherished. Guided only by the pages of his father’s lost journal and a remarkable machine that lets him soar through the air, Zee must traverse a world full of wonder, mystery, and challenges to find the promised view his father loved so dearly.

Europa features:
　⚫︎　Simple 3D platforming
　⚫︎　Stunning environments
　⚫︎　Simple puzzle mechanics
　⚫︎　Collectible journal pages, bestiary sketches, emeralds, and crystal stars

For more gameplay details, read everything we know about Europa's gameplay and story.

Steam

Nintendo

Europa Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
Captivating Sights and Sounds Gentle and Thought-provoking Story	Unengaging Platforming Just Journey, But Worse

Europa Overall Score - 68/100

Europa is a game that’s fun enough to play but hard to miss, and not for the lack of trying. It’s clear that this game had some pedigree behind its creative team, as evidenced by its great visuals and equally stunning audio. Unfortunately, at the end of the day, a game has to be engaging, and Europa simply could not deliver on that front, at least not in a way that makes it worth remembering.

Europa Story - 7/10

Europa’s story is simple, charming, and effective, delivering its narrative in a way that tugs at the heartstrings while offering thoughtful world-building. It doesn’t aim to be spectacular, but it doesn’t need to be. The slow pacing and fragmentary delivery may not be for everyone, but they suit the game’s reflective tone, making it an overall enjoyable experience.

Europa Gameplay - 5/10

Europa's gameplay, while not its strongest suit, holds up well enough. It’s competent, well-designed, and enjoyable, though it falls short of the engagement and creativity found in its stunning visuals and captivating audio. Ultimately, it feels like a solid experience, but one that echoes Journey's mechanics without capturing the same magic or charm.

Europa Visuals - 7/10

Europa’s visuals are undeniably captivating, with a well-designed aesthetic that reflects its rich lore and setting. The vibrant colors beautifully complement the game’s cartoony 3D style, creating an inviting world. However, the visual variety is somewhat lacking. While it’s pleasing to look at, it bears a strong resemblance to settings like Hyrule from Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which keeps it from truly standing out. Overall, the visuals are good, but they don’t carve out a unique identity for the game and its story.

Europa Audio - 8/10

Europa’s audio is undoubtedly its strongest element, perfectly complementing the visuals with a delicate mix of soft piano melodies, harmonious synths, and soothing tunes. While it may not be iconic or groundbreaking, the soundscape adds a layer of immersion that's hard to overlook—something you'd definitely miss if it were absent.

Europa Value for Money - 7/10

Despite its lack of truly engaging gameplay, Europa still offers enough charm and style to justify its $15 price tag. While it may not be the best game you can find at that price point, it's still quite affordable. Plus, there's more to a game than just gameplay, and in Europa's case, the gameplay is, at worst, just a bit boring—not broken or frustrating. For those who appreciate beautiful visuals and immersive audio, it's still a worthwhile experience.

Europa Review: Bit of a Forgettable "Journey"

Going into Europa, I had a pretty good sense of what to expect. With its 3D environment, lack of enemies, abundant ancient ruins, and a calm, reflective tone, it was easy to guess that I'd be in for some chill platforming and somber storytelling. And for the most part, I was right—though that’s only half of what Europa brings to the table, or perhaps all of it, depending on how you view the game.

The other half of Europa? Well, it doesn’t offer much more, and with that in mind, it’s hard to consider this a fully complete game. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Dust off your climbing skills, because we’re about to embark on a journey with Zee in Europa.

Chill 3D Platforming with Breath of the Wild Vibes

At its core, Europa is a 3D platformer with light combat, plenty of collectibles, and a solid focus on exploration. Given its striking resemblance to Breath of the Wild's Hyrule, you'd be forgiven for expecting an open-world adventure, but Europa is a more linear experience with steady progression in both gameplay and story.

Most areas encourage free exploration, rewarding players with collectibles called emeralds and upgrades known as crystal stars. Other sections are focused on platforming challenges or advancing the narrative. Tying everything together is a sprawling landscape of grassy fields, rocky outcrops, ancient ruins, and glittering caverns that form the game’s vibrant setting.

Europa's setting is rich with storytelling, both direct and environmental. Through collectible journal pages, bestiary sketches, and the ancient ruins that form the puzzles, every detail weaves into the narrative.

The story unfolds in a future where humanity has abandoned an ecologically devastated Earth and settled on Jupiter’s moon, Europa, thanks to the terraforming efforts of a group called the Gardeners. It follows a young boy named Zee as he embarks on a journey to a floating island in the sky, chasing the same breathtaking view his late father cherished.

Without spoiling too much, I'll just say this: while the tale isn’t epic in scale, it’s still a journey worth taking to uncover Europa’s mysterious past firsthand.

Unengaging Platforming

As much as I’d love to start with something positive about Europa, its gameplay—arguably the most crucial part of its value—falls short in terms of player engagement.

To begin, the platforming is simple and accessible, with a steady introduction of more complex mechanics as you progress. Mechanically, it’s competent, solid from start to finish. However, the real issue is its lack of innovation. It doesn’t push the genre forward, leaving the gameplay feeling safe, overly familiar, and, unfortunately, a bit stale—like white bread with only a slight hint of flavor as you advance.

The only element that stands out is the game’s verticality, but even then, it’s just basic jumping and occasional lateral gliding. While it's functional and never outright bad, it’s hardly exciting or worth praising. Instead, it lands somewhere between “not broken” and “not very fun,” which, sadly, makes it more forgettable than anything else.

Just Journey, But Worse

Continuing with the criticism, Europa unfortunately positions itself as a weaker version of 2012’s Game of the Year and one of the most unforgettable gaming experiences ever—Journey. To be clear, Europa has its own charm, heart, and atmospheric set pieces, and in many ways, it could stand as a work of art on its own. But the problem is that it occupies the same genre and niche as Journey, making comparisons inevitable.

Given how little Europa does to distinguish itself from its far more acclaimed predecessor, it can’t help but feel like a lesser version in the end. Instead of carving its own identity, it leaves you constantly reminded of what Journey did better, which ultimately works against its potential.

Captivating Sights and Sounds

Shifting focus to what Europa does well, its captivating atmosphere of sights and sounds truly deserves praise. While the game may not be the most original or groundbreaking in concept, the quality of its visuals and audio is hard to fault.

The visual style is bright and inviting, with vibrant, solid colors splashed across a varied, playfully explorable map. There’s a hint of solarpunk mixed with cottagecore aesthetics, a combination that adds a unique charm I found quite enjoyable. Zee's character design even carries some steampunk inspiration, and the Ancient Battlefield area exudes a strong Ghibli-like atmosphere. The world feels carefully crafted and visually rich, with an ambiance that draws the eye as much as it calms the heart.

When it comes to audio, Europa arguably surpasses even its visuals. The soothing tunes, soft piano melodies, harmonious synth fanfares, and the gentle whistle of the winds combine to create a soundscape that elevates the game's artistry far more effectively than its gameplay. While it may not reach the same high-concept heights as Journey's iconic score, Europa opts for a more laid-back and tranquil approach, perfectly complementing its serene world.

Definitely not in the territory of "games I’d play just for the music" but it's pretty darn close.

Gentle and Thought-provoking Story

Given how prominently Europa's ancient ruin set pieces were featured in its promotional art, I initially expected something more post-apocalyptic or somber. Instead, the game offers a relaxing journey about a boy grieving his father, with just a hint of a larger world waiting to be discovered and understood.

It doesn’t reach the lore-heavy, thought-provoking depths of games like Horizon: Zero Dawn, God of War, or Black Myth: Wukong. Instead, its story leans more toward the ponderous and reflective than the grandiose or earth-shattering. Still, I found it enjoyable in its simplicity and innocence. Europa, both the moon and the game, is beautifully realized, and while its narrative may be subtle, it does justice to the history of this serene world.

A Beautiful But Forgettable Journey

Europa ultimately embodies the phrase style over substance. It presents itself beautifully, with its stunning landscapes, calming art style, zen-like music, and thought-provoking world-building, but it falls short when it comes to delivering equally engaging gameplay. While the artistic aspects shine and leave a lasting impression, the gameplay feels underdeveloped, making the experience forgettable in that regard.

As a game, it lacks the depth needed to stand out. However, as a work of art, Europa is as memorable as they come, capturing a serene beauty that lingers long after the journey ends.

Is Europa Worth It?

Yes, But Only Because It Doesn’t Cost Much

It's hard to justify calling a game that's barely a game worth the money, but Europa manages to be, simply because it's priced reasonably at $15. For what it offers—artistry, production value, and, despite its unimpressive gameplay—this price feels fair. You won’t walk away from it blown away by groundbreaking mechanics, but you also won’t regret the purchase. It’s a visually stunning, if somewhat dull, experience that doesn’t ask for much, and for that, it delivers just enough to make the investment worthwhile.

Digital Storefronts
Steam			Nintendo
$14.99

Europa FAQ

Why is the Game Called Europa?

Europa takes its name from its unique setting on the moon Europa, the smallest of Jupiter’s Galilean moons. The game unfolds years after the moon has been successfully terraformed, creating a new home for humanity.

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Europa Product Information

Title	EUROPA
Release Date	October 11, 2024
Developer	Helder Pinto, Chozabu (Alex PB), Novadust Entertainment
Publisher	Future Friends Games
Supported Platforms	PC(Steam), Nintendo Switch
Genre	Adventure, Action, Puzzle
Number of Players	1
Rating	N/A
Official Website	Europa Official Website

Aaron Bruce Albert..

A massive fan of roguelikes, turn-based RPGs, and open world adventure games. His gold standard games include The Binding of Isaac, XCOM: Enemy Unknown, and Dragon Quest Monsters Joker.