This Day in Games: TEVI Arrives on November 29, 2023
TEVI made its big debut on November 29, 2023, bringing a colorful bullet hell metroidvania to fans of indie action-adventure games. Interestingly, this date already held significance—it marked the 10-year anniversary of Sony’s PlayStation 4 launch in Europe. Plus, it fell right in the middle of Black Friday’s busy release window. Because of that, TEVI’s late-November launch was both a bold risk and a smartly timed splash during gaming’s most competitive season.
Story & Setting
In TEVI, you play as the main character herself—a quick and agile heroine who fights with a dagger, a giant wrench, and help from two magical orbitars, Celia and Sable. Together, they form a well-balanced team. Throughout the adventure, you explore Az, a fantasy world filled with steampunk flair. This land is packed with colorful towns, ancient ruins, and secret caves. As you journey deeper, you not only uncover conspiracies but also meet over 50 fully voiced characters. In addition, you follow a story filled with mystery, friendship, and danger, which gradually unfolds as your quest continues.
Core Gameplay Mechanics
- Dynamic Combat: You’ll use fast melee combos with your dagger and wrench, while orbitars add ranged spell attacks.
- Bullet Hell Patterns: Boss fights feature several phases, each filled with tricky projectile patterns that test your dodging skills.
- BREAK System: Stay aggressive to stagger bosses, opening them up to heavy damage.
- Build Customization: With over 300 gear items and sigils, you can adjust your stats and skills for stealth, brute force, or magic attacks.
- Difficulty Modes: Four difficulty levels make it accessible for newcomers but still tough enough for metroidvania veterans.
World, Exploration & Secrets
The world of Az includes more than 40 connected areas—from leafy forests to high-tech cities to sparkling caves. Each place offers tough platforming and secret paths. You’ll find tons of collectibles and side quests too. For example, you might decode old symbols or save NPCs with their own backstories. As you explore, you’ll earn new sigils, stronger gear, and even fight hidden bosses. For completionists, it’s a treasure trove worth digging into.
Visuals & Audio
TEVI’s pixel art is bright and detailed, making each scene pop with life. Character animations are smooth, and bosses combine fantasy with steampunk flair. The music also stands out with over 70 original songs—from peaceful town tunes to fast-paced battle themes. On top of that, the Japanese voice cast features well-known talents like Lynn (Tevi), Yōko Hikasa (Celia), Natsumi Fujiwara (Sable), Tomokazu Sugita (Zema), and Rie Kugimiya (Vena), adding even more polish.
Community Reception & User Reviews of TEVI
When TEVI launched, its reception on Steam was overwhelmingly positive. At the time, 93% of the 16 most recent reviews and 89% of all 3,109 reviews were rated “Very Positive.” Players often highlighted:
- Combat that feels deep and rewarding, with tons of combo options
- Boss fights that are tough but well-designed
- A world full of secrets and rewarding exploration
- Top-tier quality in visuals, music, and voice work
On the flip side, a few players noted minor issues. For instance, large battle areas sometimes caused performance drops. Some mid-game quests slowed the pace a bit, and those not used to bullet hell gameplay might find the difficulty curve steep. Still, most agreed that TEVI nailed its blend of exploration and fast action.
TEVI Final Thoughts
All in all, TEVI shines as one of the boldest and most feature-rich indie metroidvanias of 2023. It blends bullet hell combat, deep character builds, and a fully voiced cast to create something truly special. Whether you’re a casual player or a hardcore collector, there’s something here for you. With 20+ unique bosses, over 300 items, and a deep storyline, TEVI rewards every minute of exploration. And as we reflect on the PS4’s European launch a decade ago, TEVI proves that indie games still lead the charge when it comes to creativity and passion.
