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 Collaboration's Shortcomings

Shift Up acknowledges several flaws. While Rei, Asuka, Mari, and Misato appeared in outfits faithful to their original designs, this wasn't enough to entice players. The initial character designs, created collaboratively by Shift Up and the NIKKE team, were deemed too suggestive by Evangelion's creators, leading to toned-down versions. The revised designs satisfied the licensors, but ultimately disappointed players who found them underwhelming.

Player Feedback and Concerns

The issue wasn't solely the costumes. Players lacked sufficient incentive to purchase limited-time characters or skins, especially given the lack of significant visual differences. Asuka's gacha skin, the most expensive option, bore a striking resemblance to her base model, failing to generate interest.

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, leading players to perceive them as lackluster. While the game has a strong foundation, the uninspired designs and drawn-out Evangelion event felt underwhelming.

Shift Up has pledged to incorporate player feedback into future events, a promise fans hope will be fulfilled. Meanwhile, both Neon Genesis Evangelion and Goddess of Victory: NIKKE are available on the Google Play Store. Instead of future collaborations falling flat, a shift towards more compelling content is anticipated.

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