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, encountered several setbacks.
The initial character designs, a joint effort between Shift Up and NIKKE, were deemed too provocative by Evangelion's creators, necessitating alterations. While the revised designs satisfied the licensors, they failed to resonate with players. The toned-down aesthetics lacked the appeal of the original concepts.
Furthermore, the event's limited-time characters and costumes offered insufficient incentive for players to spend. The most expensive option, Asuka's gacha skin, bore too close a resemblance to her standard model, proving unappealing.
Player feedback highlights a disconnect between the collaboration's execution and the game's established identity. Goddess of Victory: NIKKE's strength lies in its bold anime aesthetic and engaging narrative, elements diluted by this and other recent collaborations. The Evangelion event, characterized by uninspired designs and drawn-out pacing, was perceived as underwhelming.
Shift Up acknowledges the criticism and plans to incorporate player feedback into future events. In the meantime, both Neon Genesis Evangelion and Goddess of Victory: NIKKE are available on the Google Play Store. The hope is that future collaborations will deliver more compelling and engaging content. For more gaming news, check out our coverage of Wuthering Waves' Version 1.4 Update on Android.