Nikoderiko

86%
Game Brain Score Based on 45 reviews
  • graphics
  • music
  • gameplay
Nikoderiko Game Cover
Nikoderiko: The Magical World looks fantastic, plays brilliantly, and hits all of the right spots.
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"Nikoderiko: The Magical World" is a charming platformer game where players join Niko and Luna on a journey to save a magical island from the evil Baron Grimbald. The game can be played in single-player mode or with a friend in local couch co-op. Traverse through 2.5D levels in seven amazing worlds, packed with cute characters, huge bosses, treasures, and secrets to discover, making it an exciting adventure for both classic platformer fans and newcomers.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

86%
Audience ScoreBased on 45 reviews
graphics12 positive mentions
replayability3 negative mentions
  • The game features gorgeous visuals and charming character designs, reminiscent of classic platformers like Donkey Kong Country and Crash Bandicoot.
  • Gameplay is fun and varied, with a mix of 2D and 3D platforming that keeps levels engaging and enjoyable.
  • The soundtrack, composed by David Wise, adds a nostalgic touch and enhances the overall experience.
  • The game suffers from inconsistent controls and hitboxes, leading to frustrating moments during gameplay.
  • Difficulty levels are generally low, making it less challenging for experienced players, with some levels feeling overly easy.
  • There are several bugs and glitches that detract from the experience, including visual issues and slow loading times.
  • graphics16 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their vibrant, charming visuals and dynamic animations, reminiscent of classic titles like Donkey Kong Country and Crash Bandicoot. Players appreciate the adorable character and enemy designs, as well as the overall eye-catching art style that enhances the gameplay experience. However, some users noted minor issues with player visibility due to visual effects during intense moments.

    • “The graphics are gorgeous and colorful, and this applies to the character and enemy designs as well, all of which manage to stand out as adorable.”
    • “Such a heccin fun love letter to classic games like Donkey Kong Country and Crash Bandicoot, also well made vibrant graphics and the soundtrack is also great, give it a go.”
    • “One of the best 3D platformers that released in 2024, recommended, the visuals are so eye-catching and beautiful.”
    • “The only issue with the game's visuals I came across was the player characters getting lost in or behind visual effects at times, such as being obscured by defeated enemies remaining on screen briefly, or when lots of collectibles are collected at once.”
    • “The visuals?”
    • “Bright graphics, very clean and dynamic animations, super voice-acting and fun gameplay - all you need in an arcade game!”
  • music15 mentions

    The music in the game, composed by David Wise, is generally well-received, featuring a bubbly and fun soundtrack with several standout tracks that resonate with players. While many appreciate the enjoyable and varied compositions, some feel it lacks the memorable themes found in Wise's previous works, particularly the Donkey Kong Country series. Overall, the soundtrack complements the game's vibrant aesthetic and engaging gameplay, making it a solid, if not groundbreaking, auditory experience.

    • “The music is also quite bubbly and fun, with several tracks that stick with you long after playing.”
    • “The music is enjoyable as one would expect from David Wise, with varied tracks on levels.”
    • “The soundtrack was composed by the original composer of DKC, David Wise!”
    • “It's clearly a David Wise soundtrack with mostly hits, some better than others, and the sound design does work nicely even though I sometimes almost thought I heard a seagull from the outside, in the winter.”
    • “I liked the character designs, the graphics, and the music was alright.”
  • gameplay14 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by its smoothness and polish, drawing heavy inspiration from classic titles like Donkey Kong Country, with a mix of Crash Bandicoot elements. Players appreciate the variety in level themes, creative boss fights, and vibrant graphics, although some feel that certain gameplay mechanics could be improved for a more impactful experience. Overall, it delivers a charming and enjoyable arcade experience.

    • “Most importantly, the gameplay is very smooth and feels polished. There is a lot of variety in terms of level themes and mechanics, and the boss fights were all creative too; I enjoyed them.”
    • “Bright graphics, very clean and dynamic animations, super voice acting, and fun gameplay - all you need in an arcade game!”
    • “Gameplay is mostly a love letter to Donkey Kong Country, with a sprinkling of Crash Bandicoot style gameplay here and there.”
    • “The gameplay is simple but familiar - you're not playing Elden Ring here.”
    • “Not exactly riveting gameplay.”
    • “Gameplay collisions could also benefit from more impact juice.”
  • story10 mentions

    The story is described as simple and clichéd, yet charming and suitable for a younger audience, with endearing characters and enjoyable writing. While some players found the dialogue scenes cringy and unnecessary, the overall narrative is considered fun and fitting for a kid-friendly platformer, reminiscent of classic titles like Mario and Banjo-Kazooie. The game's lighthearted tone and engaging music contribute positively to the experience.

    • “The story is simple but charming; I think the characters and voices are great.”
    • “I just finished the story and it was pretty good and fun. It definitely has that B-grade platformer vibe which I like, and the music is great. You can’t go wrong with David Wise; he’s a legend. If you like DKC, you’re going to enjoy this game; I know I did.”
    • “It is perfectly enough to drive the story forward and build some characters, though I'd be lying if I said it wasn't endearing in places.”
    • “The story is simple, clichéd, but the game is clearly aimed at children.”
    • “I found myself skipping through every dialogue scene (and there's quite a few, which are just there for comedic purposes and serve no story value) because I just found it rather cringy.”
    • “Story content for a kid-friendly platformer like this... you have to be either funny like Mario/Banjo-Kazooie or be a bit edgy like Mega Man/Sonic.”
  • replayability4 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is viewed positively, with many players enjoying the challenging and fun stages. However, some users feel that once the game is completed and all collectibles are gathered, the replay value diminishes, as certain challenges may become too easy after the initial playthrough.

    • “The stages are quite challenging but very fun at the same time, offering high replayability!”
    • “There are moves that look hard to avoid but really aren't after the first time, which could hurt replayability as it might become too easy.”
    • “My only complaint is that there's not much replayability once you beat it, especially if you collect everything as you go.”
    • “There are moves that look hard to avoid but really aren't after the first time, which could hurt replayability as it may become too easy.”
    • “I personally like this sort of replayability, but it might not be for everyone.”
  • grinding3 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, as achieving 100% completion often requires replaying levels to collect numerous shiny items. The difficulty varies significantly between levels, with some being overly easy and others frustratingly hard, contributing to the grindy experience.

    • “Some of the levels are baby easy, while others are incredibly hard and tedious.”
    • “There are lots of shiny collectibles for those aiming for 100% completion, but actually reaching that number involves a lot of replaying levels and grinding for collectibles to achieve those last few percentages.”
    • “It also seems required for 100% completion, making the experience grindy and tedious.”
  • stability3 mentions

    The game's stability is notably poor, with players reporting numerous visual glitches, persistent pathfinding issues during cutscenes, and significant problems with level and enemy loading. These bugs not only disrupt gameplay but also hinder progress, with some issues reportedly persisting since the initial console release. Overall, the game's stability is a major concern, affecting the overall experience.

    • “I encountered several visual glitches throughout my time playing, like the character being stuck in a swimming animation long after exiting the water, cutscene pathfinding having consistent problems, or the most egregious: parts of levels and enemies just flat out not loading in, causing timed 'destroy them all' sections to sometimes require a reset.”
    • “There's a lot of glitches and bugs, some messing with level progress, that to my understanding have been in there since its initial release on consoles months ago.”
    • “Bugs, glitches, or ridiculously oversized hitboxes on some enemies and bosses (as in: full character-wide areas of empty space between me and an enemy and I still end up getting hit) are the only things that have ever killed me in this game.”
  • emotional3 mentions

    Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, highlighting its heartwarming atmosphere and impactful visuals that evoke feelings of joy, even leading to tears of happiness. Despite some criticisms regarding gameplay mechanics, the overall emotional experience is overwhelmingly positive.

    • “This game is so awesome that I cried and ran to the toilet to cry, but I cried from happiness!”
    • “Nice visuals, nice gameplay, heartwarming atmosphere, that's what I love.”
  • character development2 mentions

    Character development received mixed feedback, with some users appreciating the character designs and overall aesthetics, while others criticized the quality of the designs and the game's execution.

    • “The character development feels shallow and uninspired, making it hard to connect with anyone in the game.”
    • “I was disappointed by the lack of meaningful growth for the characters; they felt static throughout the story.”
    • “The game fails to provide any depth to its characters, leaving them feeling one-dimensional and forgettable.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    The game is highly optimized, with users reporting no technical or performance issues during extensive playtime. It supports high framerates, with one player achieving a stable 144fps at 4K resolution, contributing to a smooth gaming experience.

    • “I didn't run into any technical or performance issues in my 20+ hours of play, and support for framerates above 60 is hugely appreciated!”
    • “The game runs smoothly with no issues, and I'm getting a stable 144fps at 4K.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its engaging level design and appealing visuals, creating a heartwarming experience that enhances gameplay enjoyment.

    • “I'm loving the level design and atmosphere!”
    • “Nice visuals, nice gameplay, heartwarming atmosphere, that's what I love.”
  • humor2 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of lighthearted, dad-like jokes and playful character interactions, reminiscent of classic platformers like Mario and Banjo-Kazooie. The main characters are vibrant and full of personality, with memorable lines that add charm and appeal, such as a pun involving a boar that showcases the game's comedic style.

    • “The two main characters are packed with personality, and honestly, Niko won me over the moment he hopped on a boar and said, 'With you, I'd never be boared.' I mean, with this dad humor, how can I resist?”
    • “The humor in this game is spot on, blending clever puns and witty dialogue that kept me chuckling throughout my playthrough.”
    • “I love how the game doesn't take itself too seriously, with hilarious situations and quirky character interactions that always put a smile on my face.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

82% average critic score

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