Puzzle games are nothing new. To stand out from the rest, you need a unique game that grabs someone’s attention. In some games it could be a unique art style or a puzzle. Europa may be one of the most memorable cases where his ability to walk on walls and ceilings is the star. Also, about four years after its release, this puzzle game is finally coming to Nintendo Switch. Europa is a fun puzzle game, with enough unique spins to keep you playing, even though some of its gameplay elements are utilized as well as others.
The game begins with the famous city of Europa being torn apart for some unseen reason. Players play your role (yes, that’s literally your character’s name). You have the unique ability to walk walls and stand on ceilings, and it’s up to you to restore Europa to its unripped self. The Eiffel Tower from serves as the hub.
One aspect I enjoyed about Europa is the puzzles (a good start to a puzzle game). To go through some of these doors you need to figure out how to open them. The door may already be open, but you need to figure out how to reach it. You may step into a level with doors that seem inaccessible, but there is always a way. Usually you have to think outside the box and defy the laws of physics, but you can find a way.
Another aspect of Europa that I enjoy is how you choose how to keep things fresh in gameplay. You and your character will receive new abilities throughout the game. At the beginning, walking is your only ability, but as you progress through the game, more abilities will be unlocked to help you navigate Europa. One such skill is being able to pick up items, throw items, and run. This will give you access to new areas, even previously completed levels. The wall-walking mechanic is another very good puzzle mechanic from Youropa. Walking on a wall requires a curve in the floor, wall, or ceiling. The level looks small at first, but there’s a good chance the whole area is under where you’re standing.
One big disappointment I had with Europa is its paint mechanic. Your life is represented by the amount of paint that covers their bodies. When You turn all white, the game is over and the player must restart the current level. Colors are used in some fun levels, including spray painting a container and threading a vehicle through a ring. Using paint is a fun mechanic, but outside of a few levels, this gameplay doesn’t use his mechanics. It’s a shame because the level of spray painting the container and letting the vehicle pass through it was very clever.
Europa is a special puzzle game that you can do memorable enough to keep your interest and investment. The clever puzzle design makes the game a fun challenge to complete, with clever new abilities that unlock as you play. The big drawback here is the paint mechanic described as an important aspect, but I rarely use this feature. Europa offers plenty of variety to keep you playing throughout your adventure.
