For those who’re a fan of the platforming style, you’ll assuredly discover a sense of homecoming within the pleasant Nikoderiko: The Magical World. It is a title which, sure, unashamedly borrows from its style forebears however that’s, in a manner, a energy. You see, platformers dominated my childhood – and I at all times felt comforted figuring out that the style had a timeless enchantment. And but whereas that’s true, the success of Astro Bot being prime proof, so too have most of the platforming greats turn out to be stranded in purgatory.
However that’s the place Nikoderiko: The Magical World is available in. Let’s face it, the titular character is virtually Crash Bandicoot reincarnated and whereas Vea Video games received’t notably win any factors within the originality division for that, this can assuredly fill the Crash Bandicoot-shaped gap left within the hearts of many platforming followers. With a fifth instalment within the beloved collection reportedly having been cancelled, Nikoderiko: The Magical World is a worthy successor. Boasting well-designed ranges, difficult boss fights, and entertaining co-op and mount techniques, there’s a lot right here to set Nikoderiko aside while tapping into these style tropes you understand and love.
When it comes to its story, Nikoderiko: The Magical World gives your customary platforming fare. The sport follows Niko and Luna after they uncover {that a} primordial artefact has been stolen by the evil Grimbald. This, naturally, sends them on a world-spanning journey which can take the duo via a lot of distinctive biomes as they try to put a cease to Grimbald and his Cobring forces. I’ve to say, whereas the story received’t blow you away, it’s dropped at life through some charming voice appearing that injects this predictable story with an exquisite sense of heat.
Check out Nikoderiko: The Magical World in motion under.
It goes with out saying that Nikoderiko: The Magical World accommodates all the same old platforming fare. You’ll slide, leap, swing, and spin your manner via quite a lot of side-scrolling and 3D ranges. However it additionally options a few distinctive quirks that set it aside from its rivals. You’ll most positively, sooner or later, have accomplished a platforming stage involving a mount. Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Again had Polar, Tremendous Mario 3D World had Plessie … you get the thought. Whereas Nikoderiko: The Magical World has its personal mount-based ranges, so too does it permit customers to summon a mount at any time.
You see, Nikoderiko: The Magical World’s collectable forex – glowing orbs you’ll gather throughout ranges – may be exchanged for mount makes use of on the island’s camp. There are a number of creatures to select from, together with a crocodile and toad – every with their very own distinctive powers. For instance, the crocodile – one of many recreation’s earliest unlockable mounts – can gobble up an enemy and spit them out to take down one other.
I’m hesitant to present an excessive amount of away, as you’ll purchase further mount choices as you progress via the story however it’s an exquisite manner of including a way of originality to what’s a recreation that’s elsewhere fairly heavy-handed in exhibiting its inspirations, whereas additionally guaranteeing replayability. For probably the most half, lots of Nikoderiko: The Magical World’s ranges may be accomplished with out a mount however it’s undoubtedly enjoyable to attempt them. You might be able to greatest enemies that beforehand proved troublesome, or entry areas of the extent you by no means knew existed.
Credit score / Knights Peak
It’s that final level that I need to give attention to, as a result of Nikoderiko: The Magical World doesn’t merely provide a simple journey from level A to level B. Every stage will function 4 letter tiles – N, I, Okay, and O – and finding them isn’t at all times simple. Sure tiles might be simply viewable, however maybe require you to enterprise again if you’ve unlocked a mount. Others will lie on the finish of an alternate high-risk, high-reward path. Some collectable objects are merely hidden behind false partitions, prompting eagle-eyed gamers to discover each nook and cranny.
That is all one thing I discovered extremely participating. Naturally, if you would like the trail of least resistance, you may observe the highway most travelled, however there’s an incentive there if you wish to take advantage of your time with Nikoderiko: The Magical World – and letter tiles aren’t the one rewards that await you. A number of mini-games are additionally hidden away, from ‘Gather The Stars’ to ‘Discover the Key’. Each activity you with finishing a activity inside a short while restrict, rewarding you with a collectable or forex do you have to succeed. For those who don’t hunt down a stage’s excursions, you’re denying your self these hidden pockets of enjoyable.
There’s no actual purpose to not go for the dangerous method. I performed the sport on ‘regular’ – the best obtainable problem – the place Niko had three lives, or ‘hearts’. You’ll seemingly discover top-ups all through a stage however do you have to lose all three, it’s no main stress. You don’t have to begin the whole stage once more. As an alternative, you’re merely despatched again to the final checkpoint which is yet one more factor I appreciated. Platformers require precision and whereas that’s a part of the appeal, so can also it oftentimes really feel grindy. Regardless of this security blanket, I nonetheless discovered myself caught at a few checkpoints for longer than I might’ve preferred, however I can solely think about my anger if I’d been despatched again to the beginning line each time.
Credit score / Knights Peak
Nikoderiko: The Magical World is, on the entire, accessible in its stage of problem. I wouldn’t say there’s something right here that calls for that pinpoint choice you’ll discover within the early Crash Bandicoot titles, though Nikoderiko’s boss fights come shut. For probably the most half, this can be a recreation that holds your hand however Vea Video games actually stated, “You’re by yourself child,” in the case of these boss fights. Don’t get me flawed, we’re not speaking about Elden Ring ranges of problem however I’d be mendacity if I stated that some boss fights didn’t take a double-digit variety of makes an attempt, however that additionally truly is a serious win in my e book.
I desire a platformer to problem me and whereas Nikoderiko: The Magical World predominantly delights via its encouragement of exploration, the precision required throughout boss fights injected this laidback recreation with a much-needed added layer of problem. Actually, it’s good to cruise on via however so too is there pleasure in screaming, “Are you kidding me?!” on the display screen if you assume you’ve lastly thwarted a boss, just for it to spawn a second section. Sure, that occurred in Nikoderiko: The Magical World.
I must also add that you could play the whole thing of this recreation in co-op and whereas it’s not a function I’ve been in a position to attempt, I can see the enchantment. Having Luna by Niko’s aspect merely feels proper, and it’s enjoyable to giggle at your good friend’s misfortunes throughout a platformer. That is one thing everyone knows.
Credit score / Knights Peak
Nikoderiko: The Magical World could not reinvent the wheel, however it actually does sufficient to face by itself two toes. Whether or not the developer’s have been relying on the visible similarities between Niko and Crash Bandicoot to generate chatter, I have no idea but when that’s the case, I solely want they’d believed in their very own imaginative and prescient as this can be a pretty, well-rounded recreation that needn’t depend on imitation. With its ingenious mount system and difficult boss fights, Nikoderiko: The Magical World has sufficient distinctive gimmicks to carry its personal towards rivals. If it’s a strong little platforming journey you’re after, you received’t really feel disillusioned choosing Nikoderiko: The Magical World up.
Professionals: Diverse stage design, difficult boss fights, light-hearted enjoyable
Cons: A bit secure, needn’t imitate Crash Bandicoot fairly a lot
For followers of: Crash Bandicoot, Astro Bot, Tremendous Mario Bros. Marvel
8/10: Wonderful
Nikoderiko: The Magical World is out on 15 October on PlayStation 5 (model examined), Xbox Collection X/S, Nintendo Change, and PC. A evaluation code was offered by the writer. Learn a information to our evaluation scores right here.
