Shift Up's Goddess of Victory: NIKKE collaboration with Neon Genesis Evangelion fell short of expectations, according to a recent interview with the game's producer. Let's examine what went wrong with the August 2024 crossover event.
The Collaboration's Shortcomings
Shift Up identified several issues. While the designs of Rei, Asuka, Mari, and Misato remained true to their original appearances, they failed to captivate players.
The initial character designs, jointly created by Shift Up and the Nikke team, were deemed too suggestive by Evangelion's creators. Subsequent modifications, while acceptable to the licensors, lacked the appeal needed to excite the player base. The resulting aesthetic compromise didn't resonate with the audience.
Player Feedback and Concerns
The underwhelming costumes weren't the only problem. Players lacked sufficient incentive to invest in limited-time characters or skins, particularly given the lack of significant visual differences. Asuka's gacha skin, the most expensive option, bore a striking resemblance to her standard model, deterring potential buyers.
Goddess of Victory: NIKKE's success stems from its distinctive style of bold anime characters and engaging narrative. However, recent collaborations, including the Evangelion event, have diluted this identity, leading players to perceive them as underwhelming.
While Nikke possesses a strong foundation, the uninspired designs and drawn-out Evangelion event proved disappointing. Shift Up acknowledges player feedback and promises improvements in future collaborations. Let's hope they deliver on that promise.
You can download Neon Genesis Evangelion and Goddess of Victory: NIKKE from the Google Play Store. Hopefully, Shift Up will learn from this experience and provide more compelling content in the future.
For more gaming news, check out our coverage of Wuthering Waves' Version 1.4 Android update.
