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Here Comes Niko!

92%Game Brain Score
story, graphics
stability, grinding
92% User Score Based on 2,290 reviews

Platforms

PCPCWindowsWindowsNintendo SwitchNintendo Switch

About

"Here Comes Niko!" is a charming 2D platformer where you play as Niko, a brave frog on a journey to save his home from an evil force. With smooth controls and challenging levels, you'll jump, swim, and fight your way through various environments to confront the villainous Than. Collect power-ups, discover hidden secrets, and enjoy the delightful pixel art style in this nostalgic adventure.

Here Comes Niko! screenshot
Here Comes Niko! screenshot
Here Comes Niko! screenshot
Here Comes Niko! screenshot
Here Comes Niko! screenshot
Here Comes Niko! screenshot
Here Comes Niko! screenshot
Here Comes Niko! screenshot
Here Comes Niko! screenshot
Here Comes Niko! screenshot

92%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,290 reviews
story122 positive mentions
stability88 negative mentions

  • Charming art style and character designs that create a cozy atmosphere.
  • Fun and relaxing gameplay with simple mechanics, perfect for unwinding.
  • Engaging dialogue and humor that adds personality to the characters.
  • Repetitive tasks and objectives across levels that can become tedious.
  • Short playtime (around 4-8 hours) that may not justify the price tag.
  • Bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay and immersion.
  • story
    548 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is a blend of lighthearted and deeper themes, focusing on Niko's journey to become a "professional friend" while subtly addressing personal issues like family conflict and identity. While many players appreciate the emotional resonance and charm of the narrative, some feel it lacks depth and coherence, often relying on scattered collectibles for backstory. Overall, the story is seen as sweet and relatable, though it may leave some players wanting more development and resolution.

    • “The underlying story is relatable as well; it adds in some of that emotional core to it all.”
    • “The art style is trippy and it's got a heartwarming, fun story.”
    • “Under the cutesy exterior, however, the game tells you a subtle story of Niko's rocky relationship with his family through collectable bottled letters, which helps you become invested in Niko's character.”
    • “The story was quite forgettable.”
    • “While I found it cute and charming, there wasn't much story to give you, most of it restricted to specifically phone calls or voice mails you get from other people, the occasional inner dialogue of Niko, and the various messages in bottles you can find around the islands, and in the end you feel more like an outside force looking in on a bad situation, with none of it really being resolved by the end.”
    • “The story is bare-bones but fitting enough, and it is full of references and other funnies, as is the dialogue.”
  • graphics
    364 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "Here Comes Niko" are widely praised for their charming and vibrant 2D and 3D blended art style, which many players find adorable and visually appealing. While the aesthetic contributes significantly to the game's cozy atmosphere, some users report occasional graphical glitches and issues with depth perception. Overall, the art style is considered the standout feature, enhancing the game's relaxing and whimsical vibe.

    • “The vibe of the game is fantastic, and the unique, pleasing art style really makes it stand out.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful, with 2D characters in 3D environments and the characters are largely unique in their designs.”
    • “The art style is absolutely gorgeous and the characters have a lot of charm!”
    • “The visuals would sometimes glitch out for no reason, and some of the playable area turned invisible, as well as the greenery turning very low-res.”
    • “Now with the bad: graphically, the game has a lot of errors that are pretty easy to ignore.”
    • “There were major graphical glitches while playing - especially around the water.”
  • gameplay
    306 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Here Comes Niko!" is characterized by its simplicity and charm, offering a nostalgic 3D platforming experience reminiscent of classic titles. While the mechanics are generally smooth and enjoyable, many players find the gameplay repetitive and lacking in challenge, with numerous fetch quests and minimal variety across levels. Despite some bugs and a lack of polish, the game's cute art style, humor, and relaxing atmosphere contribute to an overall enjoyable experience, though it may not satisfy those seeking more complex gameplay.

    • “The gameplay is simple but also challenging enough so that the platforming doesn't feel too easy.”
    • “Really fun traditional 3D platformer with some cool mechanics and great gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay is just as charming as the visuals!”
    • “The gameplay is often so easy that it's basically effortless and pointless, the collectibles and chores are not compelling at all while offering no real sense of progression or meaning, and random parts of the game were impossible at launch and still impossible now without luck or trial and error.”
    • “The gameplay I feel is where most of my problems are; I understand they were trying to go for a 'switch your brain off, extremely chill and relaxing' type of game, but they went way too far to the point the gameplay comes across as unrewarding, repetitive, and boring.”
    • “However, lack of level variety, tedious gameplay, and noticeable bugs create a subpar experience.”
  • music
    218 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in "Here Comes Niko" is widely praised for its charm and ability to enhance the game's cozy atmosphere, with many reviewers noting its relaxing and catchy qualities. While some found the soundtrack to be pleasant and fitting for the game's aesthetic, others felt it lacked memorable melodies and experienced abrupt transitions between areas. Overall, the music contributes significantly to the game's enjoyable vibe, making it a highlight for many players despite some criticisms regarding its repetitiveness and lack of distinctiveness.

    • “The music fits the vibe of the game and grabs you with the wholesome embrace of this world from the moment you see the home screen!”
    • “The music is fantastic and so is the art style.”
    • “The music is cute, catchy, and nice to listen to.”
    • “However, the lack of a clear objective and a subpar soundtrack diminish the overall gaming experience, leaving me feeling like I am just collecting tapes and apples without knowing why.”
    • “The music I found a little lacking; looking back, I can't really remember any of the soundtrack, which is a shame.”
    • “It also doesn't help that there's a lot of silence between areas to do stuff in. I get this is a vibe relax game, but the music is pretty decent and is relaxing as is; having silence while you're moving through nothing just doesn't help it be less boring.”
  • humor
    200 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding it charming and funny, particularly enjoying the quirky dialogue and memorable characters like the "handsome frog." While some appreciate the light-hearted, self-deprecating humor and clever one-liners, others feel that it can be repetitive and not universally appealing, with some jokes falling flat. Overall, the game's whimsical art style and cozy atmosphere complement its comedic elements, making it a delightful experience for those who resonate with its humor.

    • “I absolutely loved Here Comes Niko; it's fun, humorous, chill, and super cozy.”
    • “The game has a good sense of humor; some of the one-liners are hilarious, also the handsome frogs, the influencer, and the detective are funny.”
    • “The art style of the game is quite cute, and the dialogue that you come across is endearing and funny.”
    • “Some of the jokes were okay, but some of them were very generic and not funny (I did not even chuckle once). A few of them get repeated in every area as one of the missions you do the exact same every time, and it's not very fun.”
  • emotional
    178 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its relatable and heartwarming story, which resonates deeply with players, often evoking tears and feelings of nostalgia. Many reviews emphasize the game's ability to provide a cozy, wholesome experience while also addressing heavier themes, such as familial conflict and personal growth, making it a unique blend of lighthearted fun and emotional depth. Overall, players find it to be a touching journey that leaves a lasting impact, often recommending it for those seeking a heartfelt gaming experience.

    • “This game is beyond words. It was a cozy and emotional experience that I wish I could play for the first time again. My official and ultimately unhelpful review is a solid 10/10, and I do not give that lightly. This is one of three games out of a few hundred that I have played, easily a number 3 out of my top 5.”
    • “It's the only game I know that has made me cry. While the official game's ending is superb in my opinion, the Gary's Garden section connected with me on a level that had me considering closing the game and running for the nearest pillow to sob into.”
    • “Such a lovely short game that actually made me cry when I finished the main story.”
  • stability
    90 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is frequently described as "buggy," with numerous visual glitches and minor gameplay issues that can affect the experience, particularly in later levels. However, many players feel that these bugs do not significantly detract from the overall enjoyment, often finding the game's charm and emotional coherence to outweigh the technical shortcomings. While some reviewers note that the game feels unfinished and lacks polish, they still recommend it for its fun gameplay and appealing aesthetics.

    • “Not the most mechanically tight or bug-free game, but the music, art style, simple story, and fun gameplay make for an enjoyable short game to play through.”
    • “Visual glitches, things not behaving correctly, stuff not being saved right, collectible counts incorrect, etc. clipping just from pausing, pausing not actually pausing the game, things not fitting on certain resolutions (anything 720p and below) fps being weird, stuff floating around somehow, it's not unplayable, you can beat the game just fine, but it really shows how unfinished it is at launch, it feels like they didn't even playtest it considering you can't even 100% it atm, and it's not even that long.”
    • “Nothing has any sort of real challenge or skill required, and any difficulty at all comes from the buggy, half-baked nature of everything.”
    • “There are way too many bugs and glitches, even for its first few days of release.”
  • atmosphere
    40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its charm, cozy visuals, and engaging character design, creating a relaxing and enjoyable experience for players. However, some reviewers noted that certain areas felt repetitive and that the atmosphere didn't always align with gameplay frustrations, leading to mixed feelings about its overall execution. Despite these critiques, many players found the atmosphere to be a highlight, contributing significantly to their enjoyment of the game.

    • “The atmosphere and level designs are really good, and there are some pretty unique gameplay executions like suddenly switching to a side-scrolling 2D platformer.”
    • “It's a very relaxing collect-a-thon, and like any good one, the atmosphere is amazing, and you just want to spend forever finding everything.”
    • “Great visuals and a cozy atmosphere.”
    • “All but two atmospheres, Salmon Creek Forest and the bathhouse, feel very samey, which I personally dislike.”
    • “I did not feel very relaxed or vibey while playing though, especially with how frustrated I got with a certain part that is pretty much RNG dependent, and not fun at all. I don't think they nailed the atmosphere down at all, which is a shame considering what it's supposed to be and what it's marketed as.”
    • “The gameplay is meh, the visuals are meh, the writing is meh, the atmosphere is meh.”
  • character development
    38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is highlighted by its vibrant and charming character designs, which are consistently described as cute and memorable, contributing to the overall joyful and relaxing experience. The inclusion of diverse representation, including LGBTQ+ elements, adds depth to the characters, although some players noted that certain characters may come off as unlikable. Overall, the art style and character designs are praised for their aesthetic appeal, enhancing the game's lighthearted and welcoming atmosphere.

    • “The aesthetics are colorful and soft, the character design is adorable (my favorites are Nina and Niko), there are a few decent jokes cracked by the characters you'll meet, and just jumping across the levels does feel satisfying.”
    • “A fun and lighthearted game, this can make even the worst moods flip on their head the moment they see the vibrant colors and charming character designs of Here Comes Niko!”
    • “I must say, the game has everything going for it in service of this 'a game for tired people' hook - the art style is welcoming, pleasing to the eye and of course very cute, the character designs are all very memorable and yet again: cute (you'll recognize a lot, if not all of your weird and wonderful friends as they reappear throughout your journey) and the soundtrack consists of very soothing and sometimes ambient tracks that really bring the colorful environments to life.”
    • “In spite of the character designs looking like Tumblr threw up all over them, and the characters being really unlikable in general, this is a really good platformer with an overall nice art direction that is also very accessible.”
    • “Some personal gripes are the character designs.”
    • “(A Tamagotchi-style snail could liven this up a bit, but was pretty basic and boring to me.) The 'paper' character design makes precise platforming a bit difficult sometimes.”
  • grinding
    34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, particularly when pursuing 100% completion through mini-games and collectible hunting. While some tasks are optional, many reviewers express frustration with the lack of variety and the excessive repetition required to achieve certain goals, leading to a subpar experience overall. The hidden collectibles and grindy achievements contribute to a sense of annoyance, especially when compounded by bugs affecting collectible tracking.

    • “This game cost 25 US dollars and the actual game has like nothing to do in it aside from the same tedious, music-less, boring, and in some cases infuriating tasks over and over again.”
    • “The game is mostly middling, and the frog fan achievement is needlessly grindy and pointless.”
    • “The main problem I had was that towards the end, while going for 100%, it became very tedious and repetitive dealing with the same NPCs and same quests with the exact same gameplay with basically no variety.”
  • replayability
    18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game offers limited replayability, primarily diminishing after players complete the story and achieve all accomplishments. While the platforming mechanics are enjoyable, the short playtime of around four hours and lack of additional content make it less appealing for repeated playthroughs. Many reviewers suggest that the game is worth purchasing on sale, despite its shortcomings in replay value.

    • “And there is replay value in the game!”
    • “This game is merely 300mb but has more playable content than many gig size games.”
    • “There isn't really any replayability after you get all of the achievements, even though the platforming is really fun. I am recommending this game because it is absolutely worth grabbing on a sale.”
    • “However, once you finish the story and get all the achievements, there is little to no replay value in the game, aside from deleting your save game to enjoy the game all over again.”
    • “It has next to no replay value; it's short, and the ~4 hours of content there is relatively unpolished.”
    • “It's a bit expensive at its current price point ($35.95 Australian) for what is a fairly short game without much replay value once you've completed everything.”
  • optimization
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of the game has received mixed feedback, with users reporting generally stable performance but experiencing occasional stuttering despite high FPS readings. Some players noted significant performance issues, particularly with CPU usage, and described the game's visuals as outdated, suggesting it should run on older hardware. Overall, while some aspects are acceptable, major performance bugs and inconsistencies detract from the experience.

    • “I can play Dishonored with more stable performance or GTA 5 with performance on par with bathhouse level.”
    • “I saw a few minor bugs and encountered a major performance bug.”
    • “The performance was mostly okay, but occasionally, even when Steam was telling me I had over 100 FPS, it felt like the game was stuttering.”
    • “I saw a few minor bugs, and got a major performance bug.”
    • “CPU performance is poor in places; this game looks like it should run on a PS2, but I can only get a consistent 50 FPS on a quad-core.”
  • monetization
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization strategy of the game is well-executed, with effective advertising that aligns with its calming theme, appealing to players seeking relaxation.

Buy Here Comes Niko!

8h Median play time
7h Average play time
7-8h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 14 analyzed playthroughs

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