Europa is one of those games that feels like stepping into a painting. It’s calm, beautiful, and the kind of experience that makes you want to just stop and soak it all in. But blink, and you might miss it, because it’s over almost as soon as it starts. Let’s jump in.
A gorgeous painting
Let’s start with what makes Europa stand out: it’s simply gorgeous. And I’m not talking about the kind of pretty that you get with big-budget graphics, this is a different league. The game looks like someone took a watercolor brush and decided to paint the sky, the ground, and everything in between. Floating islands, soft pastel colors, and a general sense of peace run through every frame.
The way the game captures the atmosphere is something else, too. There’s this calm, almost meditative vibe that settles over you as soon as you start moving. The music is super chill, with soft ambient sounds that perfectly match the serene visuals. It’s the kind of world where you want to take your time, soak in the details, and just breathe.
If you’re anything like me, you’ll probably catch yourself pausing mid-jump just to admire the view. It’s a game that invites you to slow down and appreciate the little things.
Simple yet fun
Now, on to the actual gameplay. If you’ve played platformers before, you’ll feel right at home. Jumping between platforms, gliding across large gaps, it all feels super smooth. There’s a really satisfying weightlessness to the character’s movements. The highlight here is definitely the glide mechanic. It’s one of those simple but addictive things, where you’re floating gracefully from one platform to the next, and you feel like you could keep doing it forever.
That said, it’s also a pretty easy game. And that’s where things start to get a little tricky. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy a game that lets me just vibe, but I kept waiting for the challenge to ramp up, and it never really did. The puzzles are more like small speed bumps than actual obstacles. If you’re looking for a tough-as-nails platformer, you might feel a little underwhelmed. It’s definitely more about the journey than the challenge here.
Story-wise, Europa is kind of mysterious. It’s not really about telling you a clear-cut narrative. You’re this lone figure, running through these dreamy environments, with only a few scattered messages to guide you. What’s it all about? Hard to say. The game kind of leaves it up to you to figure it out, and while that can be cool, it might also feel a bit too vague if you’re someone who craves more story depth.
Personally, I didn’t mind the minimalist approach. It added to that sense of isolation and quiet exploration that the game does so well. There’s something about being alone in a beautifully empty world that feels oddly comforting, even if you’re not quite sure why you’re there.
Over too soon
Alright, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the game is short. Like, really short. Depending on how fast you move (and how much time you spend admiring the views), you can easily wrap it up in about 3 to 5 hours. And while that time is well-spent, it does leave you wanting more. Not in a good way, though. More in a “wait, that’s it?” kind of way.
It’s a bit of a bummer because the game creates such a wonderful atmosphere that you just want to stay in that world longer. But once the credits roll, there’s not much left to do. No secret levels, no unlockables, just a fleeting, beautiful experience that feels a little too short-lived.
Conclusion:
So, is Europa worth your time? I’d say yes; if you go in knowing what to expect. It’s a game that delivers a stunning visual experience, smooth gameplay, and a calming atmosphere that’s hard to find elsewhere. But it’s also a game that’s over before you can fully sink your teeth into it.
If you’re okay with that, if you’re looking for a short, peaceful break from the usual chaos of gaming, then Europa is absolutely worth playing. It’s the kind of game that will stick with you for its beauty, even if it doesn’t last long enough to truly satisfy your craving.
8.5/10
Tested on SteamDeck
