Skip to main content

Here Comes Niko!

Here Comes Niko is a sweet game made with tired people in mind. Full of color and a unique style, it provides a short but enjoyable experience.
Here Comes Niko! Game Cover
88%Game Brain Score
story, graphics
stability, grinding
93% User Score Based on 1,227 reviews
Critic Score 73%Based on 2 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchPCWindows
Here Comes Niko! Game Cover

About

Here Comes Niko! is a single player platformer game with a comedy theme. It was developed by Frog Vibes and was released on August 3, 2021. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

"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.

Skip User Reviews

93%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,227 reviews
story65 positive mentions
stability52 negative mentions

  • Charming and cute art style with vibrant environments and fun character designs.
  • Relaxing gameplay with no real stakes, making it a great game for unwinding.
  • Humorous writing and engaging dialogue that adds personality to the characters.
  • Repetitive tasks and objectives across levels can lead to boredom.
  • Several bugs and glitches, including issues with collectibles and character interactions.
  • Short playtime for the price, making it feel less valuable for some players.
  • story
    295 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in "Here Comes Niko!" is a lighthearted yet poignant narrative centered around the protagonist's journey to become a "professional friend" while subtly addressing deeper themes of family conflict and identity, particularly related to being a trans individual. While the main plot is simple and often overshadowed by repetitive gameplay, players can uncover more about Niko's backstory through collectible messages scattered throughout the game, adding emotional depth to the experience. Overall, the story resonates with many players, though some feel it lacks depth and could benefit from further exploration.

    • “The story revolves around Niko, who's left home due to family issues, aiming to become a 'professional friend' by overcoming various challenges.”
    • “Under the cutesy exterior, however, the game tells you a subtle story of Niko's rocky relationship with his family through collectible bottled letters, which helps you become invested in Niko's character.”
    • “It's a sweet puzzle game with a nice story and art style.”
    • “The game tries to push a story about how Niko ran away from her parents because they had a falling out, but it's so undercooked that it felt like a nothing-burger - it doesn't tell you why they fought, doesn't tell you who's actually in the wrong - they just fought and they really want you to know that.”
    • “While I found it cute and charming, there wasn't much story to give you, most of it restricted to specifically phone calls or voicemails you get from other people, the occasional inner dialogue of Niko, and the various messages in bottles you can find around the islands. 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 rather basic: travel through the islands to reach a company HQ where you get a job as a professional friend. While casual platformers don't need much of a story, it is notable that Niko's backstory is developed through some of the dialogue and additional collectible messages.”
  • graphics
    194 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "Here Comes Niko" are widely praised for their charming and cute art style, blending 2D characters in a 3D environment reminiscent of games like Paper Mario and Animal Crossing. Players appreciate the vibrant visuals and unique character designs, which contribute to the game's overall cozy and relaxing atmosphere. However, some users have reported graphical glitches and performance issues that detract from the experience.

    • “The art style is incredibly charming and the platforming is friendly even to me (guy who sucks at platformers).”
    • “The graphics are beautiful, with 2D characters in 3D environments and the characters are largely unique in their designs.”
    • “The art style nails the hand-drawn look and mixes 2D and 3D in a delightful way.”
    • “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.”
    • “I'm still surprised a game with these requirements and such simple graphics managed to lag on a 5500U.”
    • “There were major graphical glitches while playing - especially around the water.”
  • gameplay
    167 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Here Comes Niko!" is characterized as a casual adventure-platformer that emphasizes exploration and completing simple tasks for NPCs, often described as fetch quests. While the controls and movement mechanics are generally praised for their smoothness, many players find the gameplay repetitive and lacking in challenge, with some bugs affecting the experience. Overall, it offers a charming and relaxing atmosphere, making it suitable for those seeking a light-hearted gaming experience rather than a demanding platformer.

    • “The gameplay is an adventure-platformer and includes different little minigames throughout, including puzzles, volleyball, collection/fetch quests, and hidden item seeking.”
    • “It's a huge shame I'll be done with it soon because the silly simple gameplay, cute characters, neat little mechanics, and everything are just a brain soother.”
    • “The gameplay is great for a casual platformer.”
    • “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.”
    • “I understand it is meant to be a chill game, but when over half of the gameplay is simply walking to someone and getting a coin for doing the bare minimum of gameplay, and those people are recycled in every single level with nearly the same dialogue, it feels almost mocking.”
    • “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.”
  • music
    121 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has been widely praised for its charm and ability to enhance the overall experience, with many reviewers noting its relaxing and catchy qualities. The soundtrack is described as fitting well with the game's colorful environments, featuring a mix of calm instrumental tracks and more upbeat melodies that adapt to different scenarios. While some players found the music memorable and enjoyable, a few noted instances of abrupt transitions and moments of silence that detracted from the immersion.

    • “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 soundtrack consists of very soothing and sometimes ambient tracks that really bring the colourful environments to life.”
    • “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 soundtrack is also neat albeit without any melodies you're likely to remember a week after finishing the game.”
    • “The music I found a little lacking; looking back, I can't really remember any of the soundtrack, which is a shame.”
  • humor
    114 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in "Here Comes Niko" is widely praised for its charm and light-heartedness, featuring funny dialogue and quirky characters that often elicit smiles and laughter. While many players appreciate the game's dorky and wholesome humor, some find it polarizing, with a mix of genuinely funny moments and repetitive jokes that may not resonate with everyone. Overall, the game's comedic elements contribute significantly to its cozy and enjoyable atmosphere, making it a delightful experience for fans of whimsical humor.

    • “The dialogue is well written and funny too (the flirty frog always made me smile).”
    • “I adored torturing my boyfriend with the handsome frog; I'd tell him 'talk to that frog over there, he has something to say' and when he'd see the name he'd groan and laugh and read what awful funny pickup line he'd get this time.”
    • “The humor is super amazing too.”
    • “Some of the jokes were okay, but some of them were very generic and not funny. I didn't even chuckle once, and a few of them get repeated in every area as part of the same mission, which makes it not very fun.”
  • emotional
    102 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of "Here Comes Niko!" is characterized by its blend of cuteness and heartfelt storytelling, evoking feelings of warmth and nostalgia. Players appreciate the game's wholesome moments, charming characters, and relatable themes, with many noting that it can unexpectedly touch on deeper emotional issues, such as family struggles and personal growth. Overall, it offers a cozy experience that resonates with players, often leaving them feeling uplifted or even moved to tears.

    • “This game has helped me through a breakup that has been tolling on me emotionally and mentally.”
    • “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.”
    • “Not worth the money; just repeating puzzles and a boring storyline.”
  • stability
    53 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is widely reported to be plagued by numerous bugs and glitches, particularly at higher frame rates, which can disrupt gameplay and immersion. While many players find these issues to be minor and not game-breaking, they detract from the overall experience, leading to a consensus that the game feels unfinished and could benefit from further polish. Despite these stability concerns, the charming art style and enjoyable gameplay keep many players engaged.

    • “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.”
    • “The game is incredibly buggy at over 60 fps, so if you're using a 144hz monitor like I am, you'll find yourself glitching out on boxes quite often, throwing you around the map.”
    • “It's a shame to see such a well-crafted game marred by so many bugs and glitches.”
    • “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, 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.”
  • character development
    23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is highlighted by its exceptional and charming character designs, which are often described as cute, colorful, and memorable, contributing to a joyful and lighthearted atmosphere. The art style, reminiscent of Paper Mario, enhances the overall experience, while the inclusion of diverse representation adds depth to the characters. Despite some critiques regarding character likability, the vibrant visuals and humorous elements create an engaging environment that resonates well with players.

    • “The character designs are very cute and charming.”
    • “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.”
    • “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!”
    • “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.”
    • “The 'paper' character design makes precise platforming a bit difficult sometimes.”
  • atmosphere
    21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its cozy, charming, and visually appealing qualities, providing a relaxing experience for players. Many reviews highlight the delightful characters and engaging environments, although some note that certain areas feel repetitive. A few critiques mention that the atmosphere can be undermined by frustrating gameplay elements, but the general consensus is that it successfully creates a pleasant and inviting ambiance.

    • “A cozy atmosphere and free exploration ensure that it provides relaxation on a broader scale.”
    • “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 has a cozy and chill atmosphere, and it's so relaxing to play.”
    • “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.”
  • grinding
    17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviews highlight that the grinding aspect of the game is largely characterized by repetitive and tedious tasks, particularly in the pursuit of collectibles and optional achievements. While some players find the grind manageable, many express frustration over the lack of variety and the excessive repetition of mini-games, which detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the grinding elements are seen as a significant drawback, with some tasks feeling unnecessarily tedious and time-consuming.

    • “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
    11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game has limited replayability, primarily due to the lack of mod support and DLC, which diminishes the incentive to revisit after completing the story and achievements. While the platforming is enjoyable, players find that once the main content is finished, there is little to draw them back, making it feel short and less valuable at its current price point. Despite its charm and humor, many reviewers express disappointment over the game's brevity and minimal 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.”
    • “I am recommending this game because it is absolutely worth grabbing on a sale.”
    • “As of writing this review, there's no mod support and no DLC, so there's not really any replayability. If you want something similar to 'A Hat in Time' with a cute character, great story, humor, soundtrack, and a good feeling platformer, then look no further!”
    • “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'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
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of the game has received mixed feedback, with users reporting various performance issues, including stuttering and bugs, even on high-end setups. While some players experienced acceptable performance, others noted significant drops in frame rates and CPU performance concerns, suggesting that the game struggles to maintain stability across different hardware configurations. Overall, the optimization appears to be a notable drawback for many players.

    • “My only complaints are that it has some performance issues, but nothing too severe.”
    • “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 can play Dishonored with more stable performance or GTA 5 with performance on par with Bathhouse level.”
    • “Performance issues, bugs, and glitches at 144 Hz/FPS really dampen the mood.”
    • “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.”
    • “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
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization strategy of the game is well-executed, featuring effective advertising that aligns with its calming nature, making it appealing for players seeking relaxation.

Skip Critic Reviews
Skip Game Offers

Buy Here Comes Niko!

7h Median play time
6h Average play time
6-8h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 7 analyzed playthroughs
Skip Videos

Videos

Skip Games Like Here Comes Niko!

Games Like Here Comes Niko!

A Short Hike Image
Little Kitty, Big City Image
Mushi Come Home Image
Mail Time Image
Toem Image
Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Here Comes Niko! is a platformer game with comedy theme.

Here Comes Niko! is available on Nintendo Switch, PC and Windows.

On average players spend around 6 hours playing Here Comes Niko!.

Here Comes Niko! was released on August 3, 2021.

Here Comes Niko! was developed by Frog Vibes.

Here Comes Niko! has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its stability.

Here Comes Niko! is a single player game.

Similar games include A Short Hike, Little Kitty, Big City, Mushi Come Home, Mail Time, Toem and others.