Why NIKKE Players Felt Let Down by the Evangelion Crossover Event

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 this August 2024 crossover event.

The Issues

Shift Up acknowledges several shortcomings. While the designs of Rei, Asuka, Mari, and Misato remained faithful to the originals, they failed to captivate players. The initial Shift Up designs, incorporating the Nikke style, were deemed too suggestive by the Evangelion creators, necessitating revisions. The resulting toned-down versions satisfied the licensors but disappointed the player base.

Player Reaction

The underwhelming costumes weren't the only problem. Players lacked sufficient incentive to purchase limited-time characters or skins, particularly given the minimal visual differences. Asuka's gacha skin, the most expensive option, bore too strong a resemblance to her standard model, failing to entice players.

Goddess of Victory: NIKKE's appeal lies in its distinctive, bold anime aesthetic and engaging narrative. However, recent collaborations, including this one, are perceived as diluting that identity, leading to player apathy. The Evangelion event, in particular, felt drawn-out and lacked inspired design.

Looking Ahead

Shift Up states that future events will incorporate player feedback. Hopefully, this translates into more compelling collaborations. You can download both Neon Genesis Evangelion and Goddess of Victory: NIKKE from the Google Play Store. Instead of underwhelming crossovers, let's hope Shift Up delivers exceptional content in the months to come.

For more gaming news, check out our coverage of Wuthering Waves' Version 1.4 Android update.