If you’re itching for a game where tossing cards isn’t about duking it out with dragons or whatever, but a sweet wash of… soap? Check out Nif Nif. Springfox Games cooked this up, and seriously, it’s the coziest roguelike deckbuilder you’re gonna find. Picture this: a cute little piglet on a shiny quest to scrub up a forest drowning in goo. Yeah, it’s all strategic moves wrapped in pure, fuzzy-hearted goodness.
Right from the start, your screen blooms with pastel colors and this chalky art vibe that’s as relaxing as a Sunday bubble bath. Gameplay’s simple: stack your deck with soap-slinging cards to clean the forest critters. You wander through paths, picking whether to brawl, shop, or just chill by a campfire — so, picking a path is kinda strategic and stuff.
Pause the drama a sec, though — don’t go putting Nif Nif up against big names like Slay the Spire. They’re both deckbuilders, yeah, but night and day difference. Slay the Spire is like the pro-wrestler of the genre: tough, often brutal, and you come back for more. Meanwhile, Nif Nif is the cute kid in the corner just tidying up. Slay’s all about sweaty palms with every card flip, while Nif Nif beams with chill energy and a kinda nurturing spirit. Instead of dodging doom, it’s more like perfecting your mop skills. Fun fact? You’ve got an 80% chance of wrapping up a Nif Nif run smoothly — way chill compared to Spire’s 20% chaos factor.
What really sets Nif Nif apart? Its sweet, considerate designing. Thoughtful features for neurodivergent folks, like calmer default sounds and super clear screens to keep everything mellow. This game is your gateway to the deckbuilding realm — no stress, just vibes.
Now, if you’re some deckbuilding veteran, you might think Nif Nif’s a bit… shallow? Quick runs, super-easy difficulty levels could feel like repeat mode after a while. There are cool unlockables, like cards and hats (yes, hats!), but the core thing doesn’t shift much.
The game’s simplicity — it may sound like a backhanded compliment, but it’s not trying to flip the script on gaming. More like offering a sweet lil snack instead of a banquet. Though, the introduction of another character — a grumpy cat no less — adds some spice.
For hardcore enthusiasts hungering for deep, complex plots, this might feel like a polite sip of tea. But if you want low-key fun, with awesome visuals and a positive message? Nif Nif is your jam.
Got a retail copy for this review. Just so you know.
