
78
MONSTER
Join Niko and Luna on their quest in Nikoderiko, a vibrant platform adventure. When the duo discovers an ancient relic on a magical island, the villainous Grimbald of the Cobring Gems Company snatches it away. To save the island and its tribes, they must navigate seven unique worlds with the help of their animal friends and defeat the Cobring army. With family-friendly design, couch co-op, and music by David Wise, Nikoderiko promises a magical, mysterious journey for all ages.
Game analysis
Monster Scorecard
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Story and Narrative
Expand for full analysis
73
Nikoderiko is a nostalgic, charm-filled romp with retro-inspired levels, stellar voice acting, and playful humor—perfect for 2D platformer fans. But its cheesy, formulaic plot and shallow storytelling feel like a generic backdrop for gameplay, prioritizing style over substance. A safe, familiar ride, but forgettable for those craving depth.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY
Story Score
73
Positive Reviews (80-100)
42%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
58%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.
TL;DR
story and narrative
Nikoderiko is a nostalgic, charm-filled romp with retro-inspired levels, stellar voice acting, and playful humor—perfect for 2D platformer fans. But its cheesy, formulaic plot and shallow storytelling feel like a generic backdrop for gameplay, prioritizing style over substance. A safe, familiar ride, but forgettable for those craving depth.
Gameplay Mechanics
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83
Nikoderiko: The Magical World is a nostalgic, accessible platformer that nails 2.5D/3D gameplay, secret-laden levels, and a unique mounts system—though its classic tropes and occasional difficulty spikes are minor hiccups in a fun, cohesive adventure.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY
Gameplay Score
83
Positive Reviews (80-100)
86%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
14%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.
TL;DR
gameplay mechanics
Nikoderiko: The Magical World is a nostalgic, accessible platformer that nails 2.5D/3D gameplay, secret-laden levels, and a unique mounts system—though its classic tropes and occasional difficulty spikes are minor hiccups in a fun, cohesive adventure.
Graphics and Visual Design
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86
Nikoderiko: The Magical World dazzles with vibrant, nostalgic graphics and a charming art style, earning praise from most critics, though it stumbles slightly on Switch performance and character clarity in co-op. Overall, it's a visual standout with a unique, family-friendly flair.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS
Visual Score
86
Positive Reviews (80-100)
86%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
14%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.
TL;DR
graphics and visual design
Nikoderiko: The Magical World dazzles with vibrant, nostalgic graphics and a charming art style, earning praise from most critics, though it stumbles slightly on Switch performance and character clarity in co-op. Overall, it's a visual standout with a unique, family-friendly flair.
Music and Sound Design
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86
Nikoderiko: The Magical World shines with David Wise’s nostalgic, dynamic soundtrack and immersive sound design, hailed as a masterpiece for its seamless DualSense integration and atmospheric charm. Minor gripes about voice acting and effects fade against universal praise for audio that elevates gameplay and evokes timeless charm.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN
Sound Score
86
Positive Reviews (80-100)
82%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
18%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.
TL;DR
music and sound design
Nikoderiko: The Magical World shines with David Wise’s nostalgic, dynamic soundtrack and immersive sound design, hailed as a masterpiece for its seamless DualSense integration and atmospheric charm. Minor gripes about voice acting and effects fade against universal praise for audio that elevates gameplay and evokes timeless charm.
Voice Acting
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71
Nikoderiko’s voice acting is a highlight, brimming with charm, humor, and character depth, but technical hiccups and one-dimensionality are minor hiccups. Still, it’s a vital asset that elevates the game’s whimsical, adventurous spirit.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VOICE ACTING
Acting Score
71
Positive Reviews (80-100)
29%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
71%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the voice acting.
TL;DR
voice acting
Nikoderiko’s voice acting is a highlight, brimming with charm, humor, and character depth, but technical hiccups and one-dimensionality are minor hiccups. Still, it’s a vital asset that elevates the game’s whimsical, adventurous spirit.
Technical Performance
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67
Nikoderiko: The Magical World delivers polished, stable performance on Xbox Series X and PS5, with 4K visuals and few glitches, but the Nintendo Switch version struggles with frame-rate inconsistencies, bugs, and long load times—despite patches. While PS5 critics noted minor co-op and control issues, the core tech remains solid across platforms, with results heavily dependent on hardware and updates.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE
Tech Score
67
Positive Reviews (80-100)
38%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
50%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
13%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.
TL;DR
technical performance
Nikoderiko: The Magical World delivers polished, stable performance on Xbox Series X and PS5, with 4K visuals and few glitches, but the Nintendo Switch version struggles with frame-rate inconsistencies, bugs, and long load times—despite patches. While PS5 critics noted minor co-op and control issues, the core tech remains solid across platforms, with results heavily dependent on hardware and updates.
Replay Value
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76
Nikoderiko: The Magical World earns praise for its addictive collectibles, secret-filled exploration, and co-op charm, but its reliance on tired platformer tropes and linear design risks boring veterans. While replayability shines for completionists and fans of shared challenges, its lack of innovation and repetitive structure may leave discerning players wanting more. A fun, accessible experience—but not a revolution.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE
Replay Score
76
Positive Reviews (80-100)
46%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
54%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.
TL;DR
replay value
Nikoderiko: The Magical World earns praise for its addictive collectibles, secret-filled exploration, and co-op charm, but its reliance on tired platformer tropes and linear design risks boring veterans. While replayability shines for completionists and fans of shared challenges, its lack of innovation and repetitive structure may leave discerning players wanting more. A fun, accessible experience—but not a revolution.
Overall Verdict
78
MONSTER
OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION
Monster Score
78
Positive Reviews (80-100)
62%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
36%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
2%
Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.
TL;DR
Nikoderiko: The Magical World earns rave reviews for its nostalgic charm, polished gameplay, and loving homage to classic platformers, hailed as a "love letter to the genre" and "surprise standout of 2024." While critics note performance hiccups, lack of originality, and technical flaws, these are overshadowed by its "wonderfully satisfying" experience, "fantastic visuals," and "pure joy to play"—a well-crafted, family-friendly title that captures retro magic with just the right balance of comfort and charm.
78
MONSTER
Reviews
56 reviews found90
God is a Geek
Oct 14, 2024
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Nikoderiko: The Magical World is praised as a love letter to platforming greats, with fantastic visuals, brilliant gameplay, and a wonderful soundtrack. It is recommended for players of all ages and described as a surprise standout of 2024.
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90
TheXboxHub
Nov 19, 2024
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Nikoderiko: The Magical World is described as an accomplished platformer that appeals to fans of classic games, providing a fun and colorful experience.
88
Impulsegamer
Oct 15, 2024
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Nikoderiko: The Magical World is a good introduction to the platforming genre, with gorgeous graphics, addicting gameplay, and a well-polished design, but needs improvements in technical performance and replay value to stand among the best.
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85
Softpedia
Nov 22, 2024
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Despite some rough edges, Nikoderiko is brimming with charm, creativity, and nostalgia, making it hard to put down. With refinements in future updates, it has the potential to become a beloved indie franchise.
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85
ZTGD
Oct 15, 2024
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Nikoderiko: The Magical World is a standout platformer that borrows from classics but adds its own unique twist, making it a must-play for fans of the genre.
83
Player 2
Oct 23, 2024
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Nikoderiko: The Magical World is a nostalgic, challenging, and engaging platformer that excels in classic gameplay mechanics, despite lacking originality. It is a pure joy to play and captures the essence of classic platformers.
82
Generación Xbox
Oct 18, 2024
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Nikoderiko: The Magical World is a delightful platformer that pays homage to iconic games in the genre like Rayman, Donkey Kong, and Crash Bandicoot. While it doesn't introduce groundbreaking innovations, its solid gameplay, charming visuals, and enjoyable audio make it a recommended experience for platformer fans.
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81
Hobby Consolas
Oct 14, 2024
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Nikoderiko: The Magical World is praised for its family-friendly and visually appealing gameplay, accompanied by a great soundtrack. However, it is criticized for lacking originality and resembling other platformer games too closely. Despite this, the game is considered solid and enjoyable.
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80
GameSpew
Oct 14, 2024
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Nikoderiko: The Magical World is a rock-solid entry into the platforming genre, offering a visually stunning and fun gameplay experience reminiscent of classic titles, recommended for fans of old-school platformers.
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80
GAMINGbible
Oct 14, 2024
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
A solid platforming adventure with unique gimmicks, challenging boss fights, and light-hearted fun.
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