Nikoderiko: The Magical World – Platformer with a nostalgic charm

• DEVELOPER: VEA Games
• PUBLISHER: Knights Peak Interactive
• PLATFORMS: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch
• GENRE: Platformer
• RELEASE DATE: December 5, 2024
• STARTING PRICE: 29,99 €
• REVIEWED VERSION: PC

Nikoderiko: The Magical World casts you as Niko and Luna, a pair of treasure-hunting mongooses who stumble upon a mystical island brimming with secrets. Their adventure begins when the villainous Baron Grimbald of the Cobring Gems Company steals an ancient relic, prompting the duo to traverse seven distinct worlds to reclaim it and save the island’s tribes. With its colorful visuals, family-friendly tone, and a soundtrack by legendary composer David Wise (Donkey Kong Country), the game wears its retro influences proudly, blending 2D side-scrolling with 3D segments.

Nikoderiko targets both nostalgic adults who grew up with classic platformers and younger players seeking a lighthearted adventure. It supports singleplayer and couch co-op modes, promising 7-15 hours of gameplay (longer for completionists). But does it stand out in a genre crowded with similar games, or does it merely coast on the coattails of its predecessors?

Simple Yet Charming Story and Atmosphere

The narrative is deliberately straightforward, a staple of the genre it emulates. Niko and Luna’s quest to thwart Grimbald unfolds through brief, voiced cutscenes between worlds, introducing quirky characters like animal allies and eccentric foes. The story doesn’t aim for depth, Grimbald is a corporate snake-man with greedy ambitions but it’s infused with a Saturday-morning-cartoon vibe that suits the game’s tone. Dialogue is playful, with Niko delivering sassy quips while Luna remains the silent partner, a dynamic that nods to classic duos like Banjo and Kazooie.

The real storytelling happens through the environments. The seven worlds like Dry Sea, Magic Wood, Snowland, and more, paint a vivid picture of a once-thriving island now under threat. From sunlit beaches with rickety piers to icy caverns with geysers, each biome bursts with personality. The pixel-inspired art style, rendered in a crisp 2.5D aesthetic, evokes the SNES and PlayStation eras, with dynamic lighting and detailed sprites that pop on modern displays.

David Wise’s soundtrack is a major asset, weaving playful melodies with atmospheric undertones. Tracks like the upbeat jungle themes or the chilly Snowland motifs echo his Donkey Kong Country work without copying it outright. While not every tune is a standout, the music enhances the mood, making even repetitive sections more tolerable. Sound effects like crunching footsteps, clattering coins, and mount-specific noises add a tactile layer, though the voice acting, while charming, can feel uneven, with some lines coming out awkwardly.

Familiar Gameplay with Fresh Twists

Nikoderiko is a hybrid platformer, blending 2D side-scrolling with 3D chase sequences. You guide Niko (or Luna in co-op) through levels packed with platforming staples: jumps, swings, slides, and ground pounds. The controls are simple: jump, attack, glide with a parasol, and wall-jump yet they carry a slight jankiness that recalls older games. Movement feels snappy but not as fluid as modern peers like Astro Bot, with occasional stickiness in wall-jumps or imprecise slides that can lead to unintended deaths.

Levels are structured around a world map, unlocking sequentially as you progress. Each stage offers a mix of linear traversal and light exploration, with collectibles like N-I-K-O letters, purple diamonds, and coins scattered throughout. Hidden bonus rooms, tasking you with collecting stars or defeating enemies in 60 seconds, add a Donkey Kong Country-style challenge, while secret paths reward you with extra loot. The game’s pacing varies: some levels are fast, others drag with overly long gauntlets, and checkpoints can be stingily spaced, forcing replays of tricky sections.

What sets Nikoderiko apart is its mount system. You collect orbs to summon animal buddies, Boaris the Boar, Todd the Toad, Oceanis the Seahorse, and Dino the Dinosaur, each with unique abilities. Boaris charges through enemies, Todd leaps high and spits venom, Oceanis swims and shoots lasers, and Dino chomps foes to spit them back out. These mounts can unlock new paths or combat options, adding a layer of replayability.

Charming Echo of the Past

Combat is basic but functional, with a kick attack for melee and throwable barrels or TNT for ranged foes. Enemies range from porcupines requiring frontal slides to burly foremen needing heavy hits, offering mild variety. Bosses punctuate each world, from a frying-pan-wielding outback chef to a swamp flower with toxic tendrils. These fights are decently designed, requiring three to six hits across one or two phases.

Most bosses rely on projectile dodging and melee openings, with little environmental interaction beyond the Volcano Golem’s barrels. They’re fun and satisfying to beat, yet they lack the ingenuity of Cuphead’s curveballs or Astro Bot’s gimmicks. Nikoderiko feels like a spiritual cousin to Crash, capturing its spirit without matching its polish or iconic status. It’s gentler and more varied thanks to mounts and co-op, but it lacks Crash’s razor-sharp design and technical finesse.

The variety in the game keeps things fresh visually, but mechanically, the worlds lean on familiar tropes without pushing boundaries. Traps and hazards rarely evolve beyond “jump here, avoid that,” and the linear map limits exploration compared to sprawling designs like Super Mario Odyssey. Still, the cohesion and charm make each world memorable, even if they don’t reinvent the wheel.

A love letter to classic platforming games

Nikoderiko: The Magical World is a delightful throwback that nails the feel of a ‘90s platformer without rewriting the rulebook. Its vibrant worlds, catchy music, and endearing characters make it a joy to play, especially with a friend on the couch. The mount system add a sprinkle of freshness, but the game’s reliance on familiar tropes and occasional roughness hold it back from true greatness. It doesn’t really redefine the genre, but rather keeps things simple and fun.

For fans of Donkey Kong Country or Crash Bandicoot, it’s a no-brainer at its budget-friendly price, offering a cozy hit of nostalgia with enough polish to stand out among indie peers. Newcomers or casual players may find its quirks less endearing, but its accessibility and charm make it a solid pick for all ages. If anything, I recommend getting this game on the discount.

Review copy provided by the publisher

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