Shift Up's Goddess of Victory: NIKKE Evangelion collaboration, released in August 2024, fell short of expectations, according to a recent interview with the game's producer. The collaboration, featuring Rei, Asuka, Mari, and Misato, aimed for faithfulness to the original designs but ultimately missed the mark.
Where Did It Go Wrong?
The initial character designs, created collaboratively by Shift Up and the Nikke team, were deemed too suggestive by Evangelion's creators. Subsequent modifications, while satisfying the licensors, failed to resonate with players. The toned-down aesthetics lacked the appeal of the original concepts.
Player Feedback:
The issue wasn't solely the altered designs. Players felt a lack of incentive to invest in limited-time characters and costumes, particularly given the limited visual differences. Asuka's premium gacha skin, for instance, bore too strong a resemblance to her standard model.
The collaboration diluted Nikke's established identity, known for its bold anime aesthetic and engaging narrative. The uninspired designs and drawn-out event left players feeling underwhelmed.
Shift Up acknowledges the criticism and intends to apply this feedback to future collaborations. The hope is that future events will deliver more compelling and engaging content.
You can download Neon Genesis Evangelion and Goddess of Victory: NIKKE from the Google Play Store. Let's hope Shift Up's next collaborations will deliver the high-quality content the game's fanbase deserves. For more gaming news, check out our coverage of Wuthering Waves' Version 1.4 Android update.