Initial release date: 2024
Developer: VEA Games
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S
Genres: Platform game, Adventure
Publishers: Knights Peak, Knights Peak Interactive, MY.GAMES
License: proprietary license
Composer: David Wise
Every now and again, a video game comes along that feels like the developers have peeked inside your brain, dug around a little, and then pulled out just the right item, at just the right time. In my instance, VEA Games must have noticed the platformer-shaped hole left in my soul following my recent experience with Astro Bot and provided me with a little something to fill the void in the form of Nikoderiko: The Magical World.
Nikoderiko, a name I occasionally forget, is a colorful, fun-filled platformer that takes ideas from a number of classic titles, remixes them, and creates something unique that will tick all the right boxes for anyone who enjoys platform games from the 1990s and early 2000s.
To save the island, you must recover an ancient item from the big enemy, Grimbald, while playing as the titular Niko or his partner and female counterpart Luna. Facing off against the Cobring army, it’s a terrific reason to jump, swing, swim, and battle your way through seven distinct regions, collecting sparkling gems, golden keys, and friendly bugs along the way.
I’ll say it right away: Nikoderiko: The Magical World is visually appealing. You are thrown into a bold, vivid world with larger-than-life foes, generally themed around a mining corporation, as well as the local fauna, who are always ready to fly right in your path at a critical moment or scuttle after you, adding pressure to an already tense chase. The images have a family-friendly, Saturday morning cartoon vibe to them, with bright colours and dynamic lighting. The characters themselves reinforce this impression, with Niko resembling the mongoose version of a specific Drake family member. While the characters lack depth, they are clearly established from the start and are difficult to fault, with the voice acting doing an excellent job of conveying our heroes’ cheek and sass.
David Wise, who created the classic Donkey Kong soundtracks as well as the more contemporary Yooka-Laylee games and Snake Pass, composed the music. These are as catchy as you’d imagine, with melodies that will stick in your head, and you’ll find yourself humming as you stand cleaning the dishes hours later. Each melody perfectly complements the environment you are currently exploring, whether it is lush tropical jungles or cold polar wastes. The music is a remarkable feature of Nikoderiko: The Magical World.
These varied levels will see you not only bouncing from enemy to rope swing to pillar in traditional 2D platformer style, but also taking a more three-dimensional turn at times, similar to Crash Bandicoot, running further into or away from the screen as you are pursued by gnashing creatures or searching for hidden collectibles to add to your completion attempt. These are amusing small nostalgic diversions from the moment-to-moment action that I really enjoyed, and they all made me smile, although the core of the game is heavily influenced by the Donkey Kong titles.
There’s always something new to see and do, with distinctive enemies to defeat at the conclusion of each world, each with their own unique mechanic to learn as you whittle them down. There are three loving creatures to ride through the levels, making things easier for younger players or providing access to previously unreachable locations. There are frenetic minecart chases with sparks flying and last-minute leaps across massive chasms. Beautifully back-lit silhouette levels conceal mysteries to discover. Cannons will fire you in and out of the screen as you collect golden bugs to spend in the post-level shop on character models and concept art (not to mention the soundtrack, which can be played whenever you want). Everything is there and perfect, to the point where this feels like the pseudo-sequel to Tropical Freeze that I’ve been waiting for since 2014, right down to the collected “NIKO” letters placed around each level.
This is a love letter to everything I love about the genre, and I can’t recommend it enough. With couch co-op, a lower difficulty level, and truly lovable, larger-than-life characters, it’s ideal for playing with both younger gamers and those over 40 looking for a dose of nostalgia. Nikoderiko: The Magical World looks great, performs admirably, and hits all of the right notes. It’s fair to say that I’m already looking forward to a sequel to what has emerged as one of 2024’s unexpected highlights.
Review Overview
Gameplay: 84%
Controls: 81%
Aesthetics: 88%
Content: 83%
Accessibility: 79%
Value: 85%
Overall: 83%
VERY GOOD
Summary: “Nikoderiko: The Magical World” offers a captivating experience with bright visuals, magical combat, and a vast world to explore. The gameplay strikes a mix between combat, puzzle-solving, and exploration, keeping players involved through a variety of techniques. While the controls are generally smooth, some spells and fight sequences can be a little awkward. The game’s appealing graphics, along with an engaging storyline, make it a pleasure to play. With a wealth of material and hidden secrets, “Nikoderiko” provides a fascinating experience that is well worth the money, especially for fans of fantasy and exploration games.