In case you’re craving a comfy card-slinging journey that swaps out swords for cleaning soap, then Nif Nif may simply be your subsequent digital detox. Developed by Springfox Video games, this charming roguelike deckbuilder stars an lovable piglet on a mission to cleanse a forest tainted by mysterious goo. It’s a sport that wraps strategic gameplay in a heat, fuzzy blanket of healthful vibes.
From the get-go, Nif Nif enchants with its pastel palette and chalk-like artwork type, making a serene environment that’s as soothing as a spa day. The gameplay is simple: construct a deck of cleaning-themed playing cards to clean away the muck from corrupted forest creatures. Every run affords branching paths, permitting you to decide on between battles, retailers, or restful campfires, including a layer of technique to your cleaning campaign.
Now, earlier than you begin evaluating Nif Nif to juggernauts like Slay the Spire, let’s clear the air—these two video games could dwell in the identical style, however they’re vibing on completely completely different frequencies. Slay the Spire is the towering king of the deckbuilder world—complicated, punishing, and endlessly replayable. Nif Nif is extra just like the charming, non-confrontational little princess who simply desires to wash up the mess, not make one. The stress in Slay the Spire is palpable with each draw, whereas Nif Nif focuses on mild, constructive reinforcement and chill vibes. It’s not about min-maxing to outlive—it’s about optimizing your cleaning ratio. Additionally, there’s a 20% likelihood that you simply gained’t beat Slay the Spire throughout your run, however you’ll doubtless have a 80% likelihood of finishing your run in Nif Nif.

One of many sport’s standout options is its accessibility. Designed with neurodivergent gamers in thoughts, Nif Nif consists of considerate touches like muted default audio and clear transition screens to cut back sensory overload. It’s a mild introduction to the deckbuilding style, making it excellent for newcomers or these looking for a low-stress gaming expertise.
Nonetheless, seasoned deckbuilder aficionados may discover Nif Nif missing in depth. Runs may be accomplished in as little as 10 minutes, and as talked about beforehand, the problem doesn’t scale considerably, doubtlessly resulting in a way of repetitiveness after a number of playthroughs. Whereas there are unlockables like new playing cards and lovable hats that grant gameplay bonuses, the core mechanics stay comparatively unchanged.

The sport’s appeal lies in its simplicity. It’s not making an attempt to revolutionize the style however moderately affords a comforting, bite-sized expertise. The addition of a second playable character, a grumpy cat with a novel deck, offers some selection, however the general gameplay loop stays constant.
For these looking for a difficult, deep deckbuilding expertise, Nif Nif may really feel extra like a light-weight snack than a hearty meal. However for gamers in search of a soothing, family-friendly sport with endearing characters and a constructive message, it’s a pleasant selection.
This evaluation is predicated on a retail copy of the sport offered by the writer.
Nif Nif
- Tone & Environment 9/10
- Gameplay Simplicity 9/10
- Strategic Depth 6/10
- Replayability 8/10
8/10
Abstract
Nif Nif is a comfy, beginner-friendly deckbuilder with charming visuals and healthful vibes. Its brief, stress-free runs and accessible design make it good for gamers looking for a low-stress expertise. With lovable characters and delicate gameplay, it’s a candy and soothing introduction to the style.