TEVI is a Metroidvania with bullet hell elements developed by CreSpirit. Read our spoiler-free review to see what it did well, what it didn't do well, and if it's worth buying.
TEVI Review Overview
TEVI Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
 Near-Limitless Freedom Vast Customization Options A Diverse, Memorable Cast |
General Loot Tables |
TEVI Overall - 86/100
Insane customizability, fantastic gameplay, and a cast of wonderful characters; these are the ingredients chosen to create TEVI. Even without a secret ingredient, the game distinguishes itself from its peers through its inherent qualities alone. Additionally, the writing, though not enough to create a memorable story, has the advantage of being self-aware of its own themes, making every joke an endearing line that can easily connect its readers with the game’s world.
TEVI Story - 7/10
The story's direction is surprisingly grim for a game with such cute spritework and character design. It also has its fair share of twists and turns, but nothing too shocking. Overall, it’s a decent story to enjoy, but certainly not the kind you’ll eagerly come back to, even if you try aiming for different ways to go through it.
TEVI Gameplay - 10/10
The game boasts a Metroidvania gameplay pushed to near-flawlessness. With your characters’ immense repertoire of moves and customization and specialization options, you will never feel as if you’re limited by the game. In fact, the freedom it affords you is such that every time you die or get hit, you’ll feel that the fault only lies in your own skills. TEVI opens up the field to any creative ways to achieve your goals. Other games of the genre could serve to learn a thing or two with its execution.
TEVI Visuals - 9/10
Featuring level designs, character artworks, spriteworks, and special effects balanced so that every single one looks utterly distinct and pleasing, TEVI’s visual experience is a sight to behold. This is particularly true for its boss fights, where its nature as a bullet hell game manifests as projectiles regularly scatter in beautiful patterns. Admirably, it manages to do so in excess while never making the impression of visual congestion.
TEVI Audio - 8/10
TEVI has an all-star cast of voice actors behind their main characters. Additionally, its fast-paced combat is complimented by striking sound effects and backed by pleasant background music. On the other hand, its story sections are given a milder yet endearing tranquility that allows you to appreciate its relatively straightforward plot.
TEVI Value for Money - 9/10
At $29.99, TEVI’s price is above average compared to similar games. However, its vast customization options across various characters already create an incredibly replayable gameplay experience. Honestly, that aspect alone makes the game worth every penny.
TEVI Review: Bullet Hell Metroidvania Done Right
I suck at platformers.
That’s been a facet of my life that I had been at peace with ever since failing to properly navigate Phantasy Star Online 2’s maps for almost a decade - and that game isn’t even a platformer. Yet, I couldn’t help but be drawn to TEVI when I saw it on Steam. It might be because of the cute anime art, fast-paced action gameplay, or both. Okay, it’s mostly the former. Regardless! At the end of the day, my decision to spend a decent chunk of my daily wage paid off.
TEVI is a fantastic game. And no, I’m not just talking about how pretty their characters are. I mean, they’re pretty, sure, but that’s not all. Its most remarkable aspect is easily the gameplay. Not only is the combat fast-paced and responsive, but its reliance on combos, movement, and vast customization options makes every encounter feel very rewarding.
On top of that, the early-game is littered with many blocked passages, unreachable ledges, and locked doors. It’s the kind of bait that’s highly effective against curious completionists like me, so it was par for the course that I would get hooked into the game just so I could check what secrets were behind every path.
It honestly feels like TEVI was made by enthusiasts of the genre. Many of the limitations other Metroidvanias suffered even during the late-game felt like it had already disappeared by TEVI’s mid-game. Each boss encounter, in turn, became more and more like a fighting game as I progressed, where my only real enemy was my own skill. And though it only had a somewhat decent story, its characters carried the narrative hard in such a way that I had more than just additional upgrades to look forward to as I continued playing.
Superbly done, CreSpirit.
Pros of TEVI
| Things TEVI Got Right |
|---|
|
Near-Limitless Freedom Vast Customization Options A Diverse, Memorable Cast |
Near-Limitless Freedom
Imagine a Metroidvania where you’re almost entirely unbound by gravity, where the game itself encourages you to break the bonds that hold your character and the ground, where you’re provided with all the tools necessary to maintain a solid pace regardless of the dangers that lie ahead.
To let you move at any moment’s notice, many of Tevi’s moves are designed to flow from one to another. On top of that, there are certain upgrades or sigils that specifically allow your character to cancel her attacks. This makes pushing your advantage or deciding on a strategic retreat much easier. And just like in any classic Metroidvania game, you can collect items that improve or expand your movement options. These include faster running speed, mid-air hovering, etc.
Well, you do need all the help you can get in a bullet hell game, after all.
Of course, complete freedom doesn’t only mean being able to quickly zip around in any direction. The game also, for some reason that I can’t help but support, provides ways to cement you in place. This can be most conveniently seen through Tevi’s Special Action, where she would stop all actions, stand in one spot, look to the sky, and wonder about the meaning of life (or perhaps what flavor of waffle she would have later). This action locks you into its animation and lasts for a good three or so seconds. It’s not entirely useless or detrimental, though, since it does debuff bosses if done within twenty seconds after their phase change. On the other hand, it’s also quite funny to get domed by the boss just because you were feeling arrogant enough to lock yourself in for three entire seconds in the middle of a fight.
Vast Customization Options
TEVI’s incredible combat experience doesn’t just come from your freedom to make quick and sharp moves at practically any opportunity. It also comes from its astonishing array of upgrades in the form of sigils. These form the backbone of the game’s customization system, allowing you to spec into various abilities that will enhance your performance.
I mean, look; there are over 300 items and sigils to discover. If that’s not plentiful, I don’t know what is.
However, careful consideration of which sigils to activate is a must. After all, Tevi only has a limited number of points to distribute to make use of them. Therefore, players must consider what kind of playstyle they would be comfortable with. While that may seem like a significant limiting factor, do note that there are dozens of different sigils to be discovered throughout the game. Tevi can also expand the number of points she can distribute to sigils by seeking certain items. The possibilities, at the end of the day, are quite staggering.
In fact, this limitation helps the game create that exalting sense of liberation. The quantity and distinctiveness of sigils make for difficult, thought-provoking choices when brainstorming builds. Most of all, changing equipped sigils costs you absolutely nothing, so you’re free to swap them around if you feel like your current set isn’t performing as well as you would like.
The game practically supports every playstyle imaginable, so you’ll feel welcomed by it for sure… even if you’re just a button-masher (like me).
A Diverse, Memorable Cast
Although TEVI’s main story is far from being blockbuster material, it has a cast of colorful characters that carry it narratively to compensate. Regardless of their role in the story, each of these characters has various quirks that make them interesting at worst and endearing at best. These extend to even fringe NPCs with barely a few minutes of screentime, such as a robot who found love making waffles, even if it didn’t have taste buds.
Of course, most of the writers’ efforts were spent in designing the main cast. This is easily noticeable from their comprehensive backgrounds, apparent even from the first time you meet them. On top of that, they were given personalities that were apt for their roles while also embodying specific themes from internet culture. One such example is Vena, Tevi’s rival, who repeatedly challenges the protagonist to battles like Gary would in Pokemon. At the same time, she has to subsist on dirt and grass because of her dire financial situation (relatable).
TEVI has employed an all-star cast of voice actors to add even more vibrancy to these characters. These people imparted their voices to what are essentially images on a screen to breathe life into their personalities. Traits difficult to pick up simply from reading text are given form through their efforts, turning them from NPCs with a designated role to a character that has lived a life in TEVI’s world.
Aside from those of background NPCs with no practical role, almost every line of dialogue in this game is voiced. And, of course, all of these talents did an amazing job.
Cons of TEVI
| Things That TEVI Can Improve |
|---|
|
General Loot Tables |
General Loot Tables
TEVI has a crafting system that depends on materials you can farm from monsters. That said, these materials are generalized ones that drop from a wide variety of enemies, distinguished only by their types. That means you won’t have to worry about trying to look for specific enemies to gain a particular material, at least for the most part. This also means you can abuse the game’s freely respawning enemies to farm a specific material you want. All you have to do is exit an area and then quickly re-enter.
However, the problem with generalized loot tables is that you’ll inevitably encounter difficulties obtaining specific loot. Although certain conditions or effects can influence the frequency of loot drops, you’ll still have to fight RNGesus throughout the game.
Of course, this is just a minor gripe, if anything. This shouldn’t be an issue for most players, especially those running through the story at a casual pace.
Is TEVI Worth It?
Don’t Let The Rabbits Feel Lonely. Buy It.
Despite its above-average price tag, the game is certainly worth your financial support. Its gameplay is delightful regardless of what build or specialization you decide to run with. Experimentation is also incredibly fun and accessible since changing builds costs literally nothing. By the time you finish the game, you may be surprised at how many hours you’ve sunk into it.
| Platform | Price |
|---|---|
 Steam Store |
$29.99 |
TEVI Overview & Premise
Tevi is an engineer who aims to help her dad to achieve his dreams. To do this, she must collect the Astral Gears, relics of a bygone era that contain vast amounts of power. By her side is the data hunter Celia, who has her own motives in lending a hand, and Sable, a demon with questionable objectives. But far from being a simple treasure hunt, Tevi eventually discovers that there’s more to the world at large than her narrow point of view implied.
TEVI FAQ
Is TEVI on the Nintendo Switch?
The game was supposed to be released on PC and Switch for all regions simultaneously. However, the Switch version for Europe and Australia will be delayed to December 21, 2023, due to differences in processes between regions.
TEVI Product Information
 |
|
| Title | TEVI |
|---|---|
| Release Date | November 29, 2023 |
| Developer | CreSpirit, GemaYue, Ein Lee |
| Publisher | Neverland Entertainment |
| Supported Platforms | PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S |
| Genre | Action Platformer |
| Number of Players | 1 |
| ESRB Rating | Everyone 10+ |
| Official Website | TEVI Website |
