Nikoderiko: The Magical World [PlayStation 5] | REVIEW

It has been a good year for platforming fans, with the release of titles such as Astro Bot, Epic Mickey Rebrushed, and Penny’s Big Breakaway proving that the genre is very much alive and kicking. And now, with Nikoderiko: The Magical World, players have another wonderfully crafted adventure to embark on which was inspired by some of the greats of the genre.

Check out some screenshots down below:

Nikoderiko: The Magical World puts players in the shoes of Niko and Luna, who find themselves looking to bring down the nefarious Grimbald after he stole an ancient relic from them. He’s your typical snivelling villain that prioritises his greed over the well-being of others, but with the Cobring Gems Company and his dastardly minions at his disposal, it won’t be easy bringing him down. Luckily, Niko and Luna are both courageous adventurers who are a dab-hand at dealing with situations like this.

When it comes to the gameplay, Nikoderiko: The Magical World feels like a mix of two of my favourite platforming franchises: Donkey Kong Country and Crash Bandicoot. It has its traditional 2D levels that see you completing tight platforming challenges whilst dealing with an enemy threat in a similar manner to Donkey Kong Country, whilst it has 3D levels that’ll are reminiscent of Crash Bandicoot with their linear design that sees players working in a fixed direction. And yes, that includes when running from some elaborate threat, with Nikoderiko: The Magical World having its share of intense yet rewarding chase sequences that are sure to bring a smile to the faces of Crash Bandicoot fans.

“Nikoderiko: The Magical World offers a fantastic platforming adventure that fans of Donkey Kong Country and Crash Bandicoot are sure to adore.”

It’s clear that the game borrows some ideas then, but it’s done so in an endearing and creative manner that sees Nikoderiko: The Magical World maintain the high standard of the titles that inspired it. The controls of the game are precise and intuitive to ensure that Niko and Luna feel great to play as, whilst each level is meticulously designed to offer satisfying platforming challenges that’ll test your skills, plenty of baddies that you’ll have to carefully deal with in order to survive, and a ton of collectibles that’ll require careful exploration to uncover. It even brings in a bit of variety with mine cart-themed escapades, levels that see you working with the shadowy silhouettes of each character, and even a bit of animal-themed action when riding mounts, so you’ll always feel like you’re doing something different. Again, this is a case of Nikoderiko: The Magical World lending ideas from Donkey Kong Country, but they’re so effectively implemented and perfectly polished that it’s easy to appreciate.

Add to that the brilliant boss encounters that utilise fresh and varied mechanics to test your skills, and you’ll quickly find that Nikoderiko: The Magical World really is a special platforming experience. It can even be played in co-op, and whilst I’d be lying if I said it was perfectly implemented (you’ll encounter a couple of clunky moments here and there), it’s a good way to get younger players in on the action. Be warned, though: like the games that inspired it, Nikoderiko: The Magical World can be tough, and whilst the easier difficulty setting can ease the challenge, you can expect some levels to offer a stern test of your platforming prowess.

Check out some screenshots down below:

Visually, Nikoderiko: The Magical World looks superb, with the game packed with vibrant sights and charming environmental design that makes each level feel like a real treat to explore. They’re full of little details that really help flesh the world out, whilst the variety of biomes ensures you’re constantly seeing something new across your journey. I’ve got to give a shout out to the enemy design too, with a wide range of creative creatures to face off against that each bring something different to the fray (especially with the boss encounters which are a definite highlight). I’m not ashamed to admit that it was the high-quality visuals that initially drew me into Nikoderiko: The Magical World, but after getting to fully explore its gorgeous world, it’s easy to see that they hit a high standard that helps set the game apart from other similar indie platforming releases.

I know I mentioned a lot of Donkey Kong Country comparisons in this review, but there’s one more – the game’s soundtrack was arranged by legendary composer David Wise, who, of course, did the music for the Donkey Kong Country series (amongst many others). And, to no surprise, he’s done a wonderful job here, with the upbeat and catchy music fitting the whimsical tone of the adventure perfectly.

Developer: VEA Games
Publisher: Knights Peak
Platform(s): PlayStation 5 (Reviewed), Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC
Website: https://www.veagames.com/