GODDESS OF VICTORY: NIKKE Preview: The gorgeous new third person shooter enters closed beta, here’s what to expect

In the midst of malevolent forces that threaten humanity's existence, humanoid weapons rise to the occasion as the last hope for a dying world. Set in a post-apocalyptic world where humans live underground, GODDESS OF VICTORY: NIKKE lets players defend against invaders in a third-person shooter RPG on mobile. Apart from the stunning visuals and fast-paced combat, what's the gameplay experience like for this action shooter?

The story of NIKKE

Humans live lives as if there's a guarantee of tomorrow, but what happens when the end of the world comes without warning? In GODDESS OF VICTORY: NIKKE, that invaders, called Rapture, came in the form of a sudden attack - no warnings, no negotiations, no room for preparations. All humanity could do was to watch in helpless horror as the world they knew and loved crumbled in a heartbeat. As the end of the world raged on in the midst of mindless slaughter, the last remaining humans were forced to retreat underground, waiting on bated breath until they could resurface and claim their homeland once more.

Decades pass, and humanity's resilience gives birth to a light at the end of the tunnel - humanoid weapons in the form of female soldiers, awakening from their slumber inside the Ark and ready to take back what humans have lost. Codenamed Nikke, these soldiers carry the hope of humanity on their shoulders. Will they succeed or will mankind's final struggle be to no avail?

GODDESS OF VICTORY: NIKKE gameplay and graphics

From the get-go, the mobile third-person shooter game lets you take control of humanoid weapons to fend off the invaders. It's clear from the combat alone that each new battle is meant to be as adrenaline-pumping as the last, and the realistic character movements add to the action-packed feel during battle. Combat engages you with convenient one-hand controls - all you have to do is direct your Nikkes and they'll shoot, reload, and fight the good fight for you.

What makes each battle different is the fact that the Nikkes themselves possess various specialisations that can be more effective against certain types of enemies. For instance, a Nikke with a Sniper Rifle can help you take down foes from afar by hitting their cores, while a Rocket Launcher can be charged to its full potential to deal massive AOE damage against a cluster of Raptures. A Rifle is good for fast firing and fast reloading, while a Shotgun can clear out enemies at close range when you're in a pinch.

The enemies themselves are as varied as your Nikkes, as they will also have challenging attacks you'll need to survive or even protective shields you'll have to disable to make a dent in their armour. Thankfully, Nikkes have special Burst skills that range from dealing devastating damage via full-screen missile bombs to support skills that buff up your HP. All these add to the enjoyable experience of shooting down enemies in gorgeous backgrounds, along with the stunning animated illustrations of the Nikkes as they shoot, take cover and execute special skills for you.

The Nikkes themselves, of course, look stunning as they are - each one has a unique look, characteristics and personality that are charmingly revealed as you go through the main campaign. As the Nikkes interact with one another, you can discover more about their backstories.

Game content and gacha galore

NIKKE has just entered its Closed Beta Testing phase, and the game definitely scratches that itch to collect as many characters as you can. Apart from the gorgeous character designs of the humanoids, the world itself is breathtaking - in fact, even the monsters have meticulous designs that are pure eye candy.

The summons pool aside, the game also features a PvP mode, map exploration, multiplayer cooperative shooting, a tower defense mode and limited-time activities during special events. In particular, the map exploration lets you send out your Nikkes across various sectors not only for the main campaign (where you'll encounter challenging Boss fights) but also for side quests. You can also interact with different elements on the field itself - for instance, stumbling upon Raptures engages you in combat, while encountering an NPC may trigger a unique event. You may also discover ancient relics that can offer you a usable bonus or a fun little collectible.

GODDESS OF VICTORY: NIKKE will soon be available to download on the iOS App Store and on the Google Play Store as a free-to-play game with in-app purchases. If you're eager to get in on the action yourself, you can stay tuned for more announcements on the official website and the game’s Twitter page.