If you think you’ve seen it all in the world of roguelike deckbuilders, think again. Springfox Games is about to turn the genre on its head with Nif Nif, a game where you don’t just defeat your enemies – you scrub them clean.
Over the years, roguelike deck-builders have taken the gaming world by storm, from the can’t-miss Slay the Spire to the delightfully twisted Inscryption, and let’s not forget the recent Balatro – which is poker, but, you know, not really.
Springfox Games spotted some untapped potential in the genre and is now developing a roguelike deckbuilder about bathing your enemies.
I had the privilege of checking out a demo for this game, so let me give you the scoop on what it’s like to build a deck full of cards featuring a cleaning pig.
Nif Nif Is Here to Set the Record Straight: Pigs Are Actually Clean
Games are always finding new ways to deal with enemies. I’ve sent foes flying off dungeon cliffs in Baldur’s Gate 3 just to end a fight faster. And if there’s a high Persuasion check in Fallout to skip the brawl? You bet I’m taking it.
But it never crossed my mind that beneath that slimy green mushroom or snarling wolf might be a potential buddy needing a good scrub.
In Nif Nif, you play as Nif Nif, a piglet on a mission to defeat all things dirty. Your main task is to chuck towels at filthy foes, scrubbing off mud until they’re all shiny and doe-eyed.
To clear the forest, you slog through a series of map challenges. Beat an encounter, and you replace the gooey green covering the map with muddy brown.
It’s not all combat. Sometimes you deal with story beats or rest points. You’ll see Nif Nif training with his red fox master, upgrade cards at an anvil, or even cook a meal in a cabin with chicken legs. The demo’s story beats never failed to amuse me.
Rest points let you do just that: rest, heal, and brace for the next fight. When combat does hit, you’ll battle gooey snakes, snails, wolves, and other forest creatures corrupted by the goo. Survive the forest, and a tough boss awaits at the end.
Accessible doesn’t always mean easy, but for Nif Nif, it definitely means cute
Nif Nif‘s art design is one of its strongest sellers. Right from the get-go, you’re hit with gorgeous details that look like they were ripped straight from a children’s book.
But don’t mistake this game’s cutesy exterior for an easy ride. Like any good roguelike, it is all about strategy and survival.
Your health doesn’t magically refill after each encounter, so every scrub and polish matters. You’ll need to carefully manage your deck of cards, which you can expand and upgrade as you progress, to ensure you’re ready for whatever muddy monstrosity comes your way next.
Collecting new cards feels like stocking up on the fanciest, priciest cleaning products. These animals are about to get squeaky clean.
The game is still in development, with a planned release in 2025, but it’s already shaping up to be an accessible entry point for fans of cozy games and roguelike deckbuilders alike.
While you wait, you can wishlist Nif Nif and even back its brand-new Kickstarter campaign, ensuring you’re first in line to give these grubby foes the bath of a lifetime.
If you want to stay busy until 2025, take a look at our Fields of Mistria review or check out our Summer Direct favorites.
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