Shift Up's Goddess of Victory: NIKKE Evangelion crossover fell short of expectations, according to a recent interview with the game's producer. The August 2024 collaboration, featuring Rei, Asuka, Mari, and Misato, failed to resonate with players despite attempts to stay true to the original character designs.
Where Did It Go Wrong?
The initial designs, created collaboratively by Shift Up and the NIKKE team, were deemed too suggestive by Evangelion's creators, leading to revisions. While the toned-down versions satisfied the licensors, they lacked the appeal needed to excite players. The resulting costumes, particularly Asuka's gacha skin, were considered too similar to her base model, offering little incentive for purchase.
Player Feedback and Future Implications
Player dissatisfaction extended beyond the costumes. The limited-time characters and skins lacked the "flair" that typically motivates spending. The collaboration itself felt drawn out and uninspired, diluting the game's established identity of bold anime aesthetics and engaging storytelling.
Shift Up acknowledges the negative feedback and promises to incorporate it into future collaborations. The hope is that upcoming events will feature more compelling content and better reflect the game's core strengths.
You can download Neon Genesis Evangelion and Goddess of Victory: NIKKE on the Google Play Store. The expectation is that Shift Up will learn from this experience and deliver more engaging crossovers in the future. For more gaming news, check out our coverage of the Wuthering Waves Version 1.4 Update on Android.