Thank you CreSpirit for sending us a review code!

In 2016, Rabi-Ribi came out as a sleeper hit with its combination of platforming, bullet-heck, and Metroid-style gaming elements. Tevi is a spiritual successor to Rabi-Ribi and has many of the same elements and even a mini-game featuring the main bunny girl character from that game, Erina. In Tevi, the main character, Tevi, is a human who wears technologically enhanced bunny ears that enable special abilities. Her father is a researcher and is awkwardly obsessed with rabbits. Tevi is following in his footsteps as a self-proclaimed genius. To assist in his research, Tevi agrees to help locate Astral cogs scattered far and wide across the continent of Az.

It doesn’t take long for Tevi to acquire unlikely friends including an angel from Valhalla, Celia, and a young demon, Sable, who has no sense of direction. Celia and Sable hover around Tevi in the form of orbs and lend their firepower to her. Along with dodging environmental threats and enemy bullets, Tevi can fight back with bullets and melee attacks of her own.

There are many areas to explore and nooks and crannies to investigate. If you’re diligent, you can locate potions that will permanently boost your health, mana, and attack power. Along with potions, you may discover boots and other accessories that can grant abilities like doubling jumping or bouncing from wall to wall to ascend narrow pathways.

Sigils are an important aspect of this game as they can greatly enhance your offensive and defensive abilities. As you level up, you can equip more sigils so keep checking back on them! Many of the towns sell sigils and potions, so be sure to buy them all. The shop keepers will often reward you for buying up all of their inventory. You’ll also get restock notifications when they have replenished their wares.

Many areas have teleporters, so fast travel is possible as long as you locate the means to do so. Saving is done at designated areas so be sure to utilize them often. One advantage of saving is that your health will get replenished. This is handy in harsh climates like inner volcanoes that drain your health at a steady pace. Many enemies will drop crystals that can replenish health as well as crafting ingredients. Inventory space is limited so be sure to prioritize bag expansions when you can afford them!

I found the exploration aspects of Tevi more interesting than the narrative. The story doesn’t solidify until you’re about halfway through the eight chapters. Even after the credits roll, there are some unanswered questions and plot holes. Thankfully, the game is still fun.

There are many towns and humans and beastfolk to talk to. Some characters are combative and offer to spar against Tevi for sport. These battles are available as side quests, if you’re up for a challenge. When you visit Valhalla, your party will be encouraged to convert to their faith system. Likewise, when you’re in the demon town, you’ll be encouraged to gamble at the casino. While brothels are present, you cannot enter inside of them. There’s still plenty of skin to see regardless, as Celia’s bust is so big she has to wear a belt on her chest to manage her bosom. There is sexual dialogue as well; Sable is hit on often and doesn’t even realize it.

Throughout your adventure you’ll encounter a town tucked away in the woods. Their specialty is making liquor and their mayor is inebriated when you talk with her. One of the characters is this town is a cross dresser. Also, one of the shop keepers is gay.

The violence in this game is pretty gory. There is some cold-blooded murder and a fair amount of bloodshed. Lastly, there is some minor language (d*mn).

In the end, Tevi is a fun game, but suffers from sequel syndrome and is not as groundbreaking as the title it’s inspired by. The music is good, and the soundtrack is available for purchase. For what it’s worth I own the Rabi-Ribi soundtrack, but didn’t pick this one up. The art is nicely drawn and I like how a gallery unlocks after you beat the game. If you enjoy Metroidvania and bulletheck games, Tevi will entertain you for about thirty hours.