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.
Shift Up identified several issues. While the designs of Rei, Asuka, Mari, and Misato initially stayed true to their original appearances, this wasn't enough to entice players. The initial Shift Up/Nikke designs were deemed too provocative by the Evangelion creators, leading to revisions. The resulting "toned-down" versions satisfied the licensors but failed to resonate with the player base.
The problem wasn't solely the costumes. Players lacked sufficient motivation to invest in limited-time characters or skins, particularly given the lack of significant visual enhancements. Asuka's gacha skin, the most expensive option, closely resembled her standard model, deterring potential buyers.
Goddess of Victory: NIKKE's appeal lies in its bold anime aesthetic and engaging narrative. However, recent collaborations, including this one, have diluted this identity, leaving players feeling uninspired. While the game has a strong foundation, the uninspired designs and the drawn-out Evangelion event proved disappointing. Shift Up acknowledges player feedback and intends to improve future events.
You can find both Neon Genesis Evangelion and Goddess of Victory: NIKKE on the Google Play Store. Hopefully, Shift Up will learn from this experience and deliver more compelling content in the future.
For more gaming news, check out our coverage of the Wuthering Waves Version 1.4 Update on Android.