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. The August 2024 event, featuring Rei, Asuka, Mari, and Misato, suffered from several key issues.
Design Compromises: Initial character designs, created collaboratively by Shift Up and the NIKKE team, were deemed too suggestive by Evangelion's creators. Subsequent modifications, while satisfying the licensors, failed to resonate with players. The resulting designs, while faithful to the originals, lacked the appeal to entice players.
Lack of Incentive: Players found little reason to invest in the limited-time characters or costumes. Asuka's gacha skin, the most expensive option, offered minimal visual difference from her base model, further diminishing player interest.
Diluted Identity: The collaboration, along with other recent crossovers, is perceived as diluting NIKKE's core identity—its distinctive, over-the-top anime aesthetic and engaging narrative. The Evangelion event felt drawn-out and uninspired.
Looking Ahead: Shift Up acknowledges the negative feedback and promises to incorporate player input into future collaborations. The hope is that future events will deliver more compelling content.
Both Neon Genesis Evangelion and Goddess of Victory: NIKKE are available on the Google Play Store. The expectation is that Shift Up will learn from this experience and deliver more engaging content in the future. For additional gaming news, check out our coverage of Wuthering Waves' Version 1.4 update on Android.
