Familiar, but fresh
Sometimes you boot up a game and immediately recognize that the developer understood the assignment. This is the case with Nikoderiko (which I am still not entirely sure I am pronouncing correctly) from developer Vea Games. This is the first game from this studio, and you wouldn’t know that upon playing it. It is a platformer in the same mold as games like Donkey Kong Country mixed with a hint of Crash Bandicoot with a set of characters that feels ripped right out of the 90s. It speaks my language on every level while also delivering a solid experience that is sure to please platforming fans.
Stop me if you have heard this before, but Nikoderiko: The Magical World thrusts players into the role of either Niko or Luna, who happen to be mongooses, as they set out to save their island. They discover that their sacred artifact has been stolen by the evil Grimbald. They then set out on a journey across the standard fare of worlds to retrieve it, all while taking out the evil forces. Yes, it is basically the plot of every single mascot platformer on the planet. Nikoderiko at least does it well with some interesting characters and some solid voice acting.
MSRP: $29.99
Platforms: Xbox (reviewed), PlayStation, Switch, PC
Price I’d Pay: $29.99
The structure of Nikoderiko is familiar with its level-based areas littered with plenty of enemies and side paths to explore. There are multiple things to collect throughout the levels, with some requiring some backtracking or revisiting once you have specific mounts (more on that in a sec) later in the game. What it lacks in originality it makes up for with execution. The platforming here feels great, and Niko and Luna have plenty of moves at their disposal.
The levels themselves are also well laid out and interesting. We have the typical biomes to traverse through as well as themed enemies to dispose of. Hidden in levels there are also mini-games and collectibles. These keep the replay value at a maximum. There is even a collectible that spells out N-I-K-O much like Nintendo’s famous platformer. This game borrows a lot of ideas and mechanics but brings enough of its own flare to make it feel wholly original.
Back to the mounts. This is where Nikoderiko stands out among other platformers. Sure, some games have levels where players are riding various creatures, but this one makes it a whole thing. Niko and Luna can collect orbs which will allow them to purchase various mounts with specific abilities. This opens up new sections of previous levels. These mounts can also be called on-the-fly, which is really fun. This makes going back to previous areas interesting as I could finish up my collectibles. It is a really enjoyable mechanic with some interesting creatures to unlock.
The core game is standard fare when it comes to difficulty. Nothing overly challenging outside of a few mini-games which took me way longer than I care to admit. There is also a local co-op mode which is definitely fun. The boss battles on the other hand are something else. These are where the game really takes off the kid gloves and forces players to think. Some of them took me multiple tries, but never once did I want to give up. They are well-designed and challenging, so when I did, I knew it was on me and not the game being cheap.
Visually, I love the look of the game. It has interesting worlds, lots of color, and well-designed characters. It is hard not to draw comparisons to Crash Bandicoot, but maybe a bit less cartoon-inspired. The game runs well too, rarely did I notice any issues with frame rates. The music is outstanding, featuring a soundtrack by David Wise, who is best known for his work on franchises such as Battletoads, Donkey Kong Country, and Yooka Laylee. There are so many amazing tracks in the game. The voice acting is also better than it has any right to be.
Nikoderiko: The Magical World is such a surprise. It borrows heavily from its contemporaries, but adds enough to make it feel like more than just a clone. You can tell the developers knew what they wanted to achieve and simply nailed it. I will be paying close attention to their next game for sure. Anyone who enjoys titles like Donkey Kong Country or Crash Bandicoot owes it to themselves to check this out. The price is friendly, and the execution is outstanding. One of the better new platformers I have played in a while.
Review copy of game provided by publisher.
