Shift Up's Goddess of Victory: NIKKE Evangelion crossover fell short of expectations, according to a recent interview with the game's producer. Let's examine what went wrong with the August 2024 collaboration.
The Issues
The collaboration featured Rei, Asuka, Mari, and Misato in designs intended to be faithful to their original appearances. However, player interest was underwhelming. The initial Shift Up designs, incorporating the Nikke style, were deemed too suggestive by Evangelion's creators, necessitating revisions. While the toned-down versions satisfied the licensors, they failed to resonate with the player base.
Player Reception
The problem wasn't solely the costumes. Players lacked incentive to spend on limited-time characters and skins, particularly given the lack of significant visual differences. Asuka's gacha skin, the most expensive option, closely resembled her standard model, offering little appeal.
Goddess of Victory: NIKKE's success stems from its distinctive style of anime characters and engaging narrative. Recent collaborations, however, have diluted this identity, leading players to perceive them as underwhelming. While the game boasts a strong foundation, the uninspired Evangelion event felt drawn-out and lacked creativity in its execution.
Shift Up acknowledges player feedback and promises improvements in future collaborations. Here's hoping they deliver more engaging content in the months to come.
In the meantime, you can find Neon Genesis Evangelion and Goddess of Victory: NIKKE on the Google Play Store. Let's hope for a turnaround with future crossovers that truly capture the spirit of both franchises.
For more gaming news, check out our coverage of Wuthering Waves' Version 1.4 Android update.
