Software:Nikoderiko: The Magical World
| Nikoderiko: The Magical World | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Vea Games |
| Publisher(s) | Knights Peak |
| Director(s) | Dmitry Smirnov |
| Producer(s) | Vlad Yakubovsky |
| Designer(s) |
|
| Artist(s) |
|
| Writer(s) | Anton Antonenok |
| Composer(s) | David Wise |
| Engine | Unreal Engine 4[1] |
| Platform(s) | |
| Release | Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, XSX
|
| Genre(s) | Platformer |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Nikoderiko: The Magical World is a platformer video game developed by indie studio Vea Games and published by Knights Peak. It was released on October 15, 2024, on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S,[2] followed by a Windows release on December 5.[3]
Premise
When Niko and Luna discover that a primordial artifact has been stolen by the nefarious Grimbald, the duo must traverse across various unique worlds with the assistance of their animal companions and take down Grimbald and his Cobring forces once and for all.
Development
Nikoderiko: The Magical World was developed by Vea Games, an independent game development studio from Cyprus. In June 2024, the game was unveiled in Games Radar's Future Games Show: Summer Showcase presentation event with Donkey Kong Country composer David Wise scoring its music.[4]
In March 2025, a Director's Cut update to the base game was announced and was released on April 15.[5] The April update included "refined gameplay, expanded levels, enhanced visuals as well as brand new content including new secrets and much more".[5]
Reception
Pre-release
Accolades
In 2020, four years prior to its proper reveal, the game was nominated in 3 categories at the virtual DevGAMM Awards event: "Grand Prize", "Best Desktop Game" and "Excellence in Visual Art", but only won in "Excellence in Visual Art".[6]
| Year | Award | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | DevGAMM Awards | Grand Prize | Nominated | [7] |
| Best Desktop Game | Nominated | [7] | ||
| Excellence in Visual Art | Won | [7] |
Critical reception
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Nikoderiko: The Magical World received "generally favorable" reviews from critics, according to review aggregator website Metacritic.[8] GameSpew's Kim Snaith rated the game an 8 out of 10, praising its "great character and level designs" while criticizing that "co-op play is a little too chaotic."[10] Mitch Vogel of Nintendo Life scored the Switch port a 7, admiring the game's soundtrack from David Wise whilst excoriating that it is "light on new ideas" and "performance could be better".[9]
References
- ↑ @GamesVea (June 10, 2024). "Unreal Engine 4". https://twitter.com/GamesVea/status/1800190349811601603.
- ↑ Romano, Sal (September 18, 2024). "Nikoderiko: The Magical World launches October 15 for PS5, Xbox Series, and Switch, later for PC". https://www.gematsu.com/2024/09/nikoderiko-the-magical-world-launches-october-15-for-ps5-xbox-series-and-switch-later-for-pc.
- ↑ Sheehan, Gavin (November 21, 2024). "Nikoderiko: The Magical World Reveals New PC Release Date". https://bleedingcool.com/games/nikoderiko-the-magical-world-reveals-new-pc-release-date/.
- ↑ Loveridge, Sam (June 8, 2024). "Nikoderiko is channeling Spyro and Crash Bandicoot with its co-op platforming and epic boss battles". https://www.gamesradar.com/games/platformer/nikoderiko-is-channeling-spyro-and-crash-bandicoot-with-its-co-op-platforming-and-epic-boss-battles/.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Doolan, Liam (March 18, 2025). "The Donkey Kong Country Tribute 'Nikoderiko' Is Already Getting A Director's Cut". Nintendo Life. Gamer Network. https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/03/the-donkey-kong-country-tribute-nikoderiko-is-already-getting-a-directors-cut.
- ↑ Reche, Gaika; Garrido, Alberto (June 8, 2024). "Nikoderiko: The Magical World, the platformer from Donkey Kong Country and Hearthstone veterans". https://www.gamereactor.eu/nikoderiko-the-magical-world-the-platformer-from-donkey-kong-country-and-hearthstone-veterans-1398723/.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "DevGAMM Awards Winners" (in en-US). https://devgamm.com/2020/devgamm-awards-winners/.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Nikoderiko: The Magical World (PS5)". Metacritic. Fandom Inc.. https://www.metacritic.com/game/nikoderiko-the-magical-world/.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Vogel, Mitch (October 21, 2024). "Nikoderiko: The Magical World (Switch eShop) - Review". Nintendo Life. Gamer Network. https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/nikoderiko-the-magical-world.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Snaith, Kim (October 14, 2024). "Nikoderiko: The Magical World (PS5) review". https://www.gamespew.com/2024/10/nikoderiko-the-magical-world-review/.
- ↑ Harrold, Kate (October 14, 2024). "Nikoderiko: The Magical World (PS5) review - A charming new platformer emerges". GAMINGbible. LADbible Group. https://www.gamingbible.com/reviews/nikoderiko-the-magical-world-review-charming-new-platformer-926452-20241014.
- ↑ "PS5 Review: Nikoderiko: The Magical World". October 17, 2024. https://www.gamingbible.com/reviews/nikoderiko-the-magical-world-review-charming-new-platformer-926452-20241014.
- ↑ Gander, Matt (October 16, 2024). "Nikoderiko: The Magical World review". https://www.gamesasylum.com/2024/10/16/nikoderiko-the-magical-world-review/.
- ↑ Clark, Nay (October 15, 2024). "Nikoderiko: The Magical World Review (PS5)". https://www.impulsegamer.com/nikoderiko-the-magical-world-review-ps5/.
- ↑ Reily, Brendan (November 5, 2024). "Nikoderiko: The Magical World (PS5) - Review". https://gaming-age.com/2024/11/nikoderiko-the-magical-world-review-for-playstation-xbox-switch/.
- ↑ Speer, Joshua (December 6, 2024). "Nikoderiko: The Magical World Review". https://www.dualshockers.com/nikoderiko-the-magical-world-review/.
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