Trickcal: Chibi Go

Trickcal: Chibi Go

Trickcal: Chibi Go
App icon for the half-year anniversary event featuring Speaki
DeveloperEPIDGames
Publishers
PlatformsiOS, Android
Release
  • KR: September 27, 2023
  • WW: October 9, 2025
  • CN: December 18, 2025
GenresRole-playing, comedy
ModesSingle-player, multi-player

Trickcal: Chibi Go,[a] also known as Trickcal: Revive or simply Trickcal, is a South Korean free-to-play auto battler role-playing mobile game developed by EPIDGames. Initially released in South Korea in 2021, it was re-launched and self-published by EPIDGames in September 2023. A global version was published worldwide by Bilibili Game in October 2025 and a mainland China server followed in December 2025.

The game won the Best Game Award in the 2024 Korea Game Awards.

Gameplay

Trickcal: Chibi Go is an auto battler fantasy role-playing game with card collecting elements in which combat is divided into two parts: the “team build phase” in which the player select cards to strengthen the party using the coins earned during the previous battle to strengthen their character, and the “battle phase” in which has an auto-chess mechanics played using the selected character. The player can also activate a “higher skill” attack during this phase.

Trickcal is characterized by level of interactivity with the characters on screen. At any point, players can pull the character's cheeks such as in stories, gacha screen, home screen and during dedicated animations with accompanying voice lines.[1][2] The game also features daily tasks.[3]

Story

Trickcal: Chibi Go is set in the world of Elias, a fantastical realm inhabited by chibi characters who live under the protection of a world tree named Yggdrasil. The player is a human transported to Elias who is shortly appointed the leader of a religious organization called the Order of Yggdrasil. The main story chronicles the adventures of the Cult Leader[b] and their attempts to solve the conflicts that arise between the different races of Elias which include: sprites, werebeasts, elves, elementals, phantoms, dragons, and witches.

Characters

Erpin (에르핀; エルフィン)
Voiced by Kang Eun-ae [ko] (Korean)[4], Hina Kino (Japanese)[5]
The gluttonous, figurehead queen of the sprites. She boasts above average physical aptitudes but less than average intelligence. Erpin is the usual sidekick to the Cult Leader in the main story.
Ner (네르; ネル)
Voiced by Jeong Yoo-Jeong [ko] (Korean), Yuriko Anderson (Japanese)[5]
The high priestess of the Order of Yggdrassil and the power behind the throne of the Sprite Kingdom. Despite her constant nagging of Erpin, she cares deeply for her.
Kommy (코미; コミー)
Voiced by Kang Sae-bom [ko] (Korean), Maki Kawase (Japanese)[5]
A smart yet lazy cat werebeast. Her name and references to a little red book she owns are puns on communism.
Butter (버터; バター)
Voiced by Kang Sae-bom [ko] (Korean), Voiced by Aoi Natsuki (Japanese)[5]
A friendly dog werebeast who is prone to be taken advantage of due to her kindness.
Elena (엘레나; エレナ)
Voiced by Kim Do-yeong [ko] (Korean), Yui Tsukada (Japanese)[5]
The mayor of the elven city of Monatium. Despite being primarily responsible for the advanced technology of the elven race, she often uses her inventions to gain an underhanded advantage over the other races of Elias.
Speaki (스피키; スピッキー)
Voiced by Park Si-yoon [ko] (Korean), Yurie Kozakai (Japanese)[6]
A copycat phantom, whose affinity for pumpkins and dressing up embodies the spirit of halloween. Her current impersonation target is the sprite priestess Ner.

Development and release

Development began in 2019 under the name Roll the Chess and a beta was released the same year which was considered a failure by developer EPIDGames.[2] However, the cheek-pulling mechanics of the game were well-received. Therefore, they decided to remake the game with the “cheek-pulling” mechanics as a core mechanic.[7] The prototype of the game named Trickcal was first released on September 27, 2021.[8][9] Due to the incomplete content of the game, and bugs such as payment errors and login failures, it was negatively received. They decided to end the service, which only lasted for two hours.[7][9] It was initially expected to be relaunched in October, but the two reworkings of the game nearly bankrupted the company until the EPIDGames CEO mortgaged his home for ₩1 billion (2021) (US$874,164.08) to raise funds and decided to continue to rework the game. The game was released in South Korea on September 27, 2023.[7][9]

The global version of the game was developed by Bilibili Game.[1] The global release was announced in January 2025 during the 2025 Taipei Game Show.[10] It was originally named Trickcal: Re:VIVE, it was changed to Trickcal: Chibi Go in May 2025. Pre-registration was also opened.[11] A demo was featured on Tokyo Game Show 2025.[12] It was released on October 9, 2025, on iOS and Android.[1] The Chinese server was opened on December 18, 2025.[13]

Reception

The original game, released in 2021, initially received 50,000 concurrent players,[9] but was negatively received with comments like "the cheek-pulling was the only positive thing in the game".[7] The 2023 version of the game was well-received by players.[9][14] The game topped the “Korean mobile games we would love to see get a global launch” published by Pocket Gamer published in 2024.[8] It generated $4.5 million in the first year of the game's release.[15] By August 2025, the Korean version of the game was downloaded 500,000 times, and had a five-star rating out of 35,000 reviews on Google Play Store.[16] By April 9, 2026, the game ranked fifth in the highest grossing games in the Korean Google Play Store and as well as in the Japanese Google Play Store and iOS App Store, placing 11th and 13th, respectively.[17]

List of awards for Trickcal: Chibi Go
Year Award Category Result Ref.
2024 Korea Game Awards Best Game Award Won [14][18]

Internet memes

Speaki's Korean voice lines such as joayo joayo (좋아요 좋아요; 'I like it! I like it!')[c] and Heueuaak! Seupiki meori jabadanggiji maseyo! (흐으아악! 스피키 머리 잡아당기지 마세요!; 'Aaaargh! Don't pull Speaki's hair!')[d] became viral as a meme in the Japanese internet, following the game's global release, nicknaming the character as Supiki (ｽﾋﾟｷ). Various MAD videos were uploaded on sites like YouTube and Niconico Douga about the character.[19][20][21][2] Denfaminico Gamer called the meme the “strongest electronic drug”.[2]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Korean: 트릭컬 리바이브; RR: teurikkeol ribaibeu; Japanese: トリッカル・もちもちほっペ大作戦, romanized: Torikkaru Mochi Mochi Hoppe Dai Sakusen; Chinese: 嘟嘟脸恶作剧; pinyin: Dū dū liǎn èzuòjù
  2. ^ Korean: 교주; RR: gyoju
  3. ^ Transliterated in Japanese as Chowayō Chowayō (ﾁｮﾜﾖｰﾁｮﾜﾖｰ)[2]
  4. ^ Transliterated in Japanese as Uwa! Supiki derujiba seyo (ｳﾜｧｰ！ｽﾋﾟｷﾃﾞﾙｼﾞﾊﾞｾﾖ)[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c Sheehan, Gavin (October 8, 2025). "Trickcal: Chibi Go Has Launched For Mobile Devices". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  2. ^ a b c d e f 謎のミーム「スピキ」発祥の地『トリッカル』は、もちもちほっぺを全力で愛でる狂気の癒しゲー。リリース2時間でサ終決定→社長の自宅を担保に再開発!? 「ほっぺを引っ張る」ことに命かけすぎ [The mysterious meme "Spiki" originated in the game "Trickal," a crazy healing game where you wholeheartedly adore squishy cheeks. Service was shut down just two hours after release → the CEO's house was used as collateral for redevelopment!? They're taking "pulling cheeks" too seriously.]. Denfamicogamer (in Japanese). December 28, 2025. Retrieved May 23, 2026.
  3. ^ Colosi, Verna (May 27, 2025). "Jujutsu Kaisen game publisher announces a cheeky new card-collector RPG". Pocket Tactics. Retrieved May 24, 2026.
  4. ^ EPIDGames (February 25, 2021). [캐릭터 성우 공개] 에르핀 (CV.강은애) [[Character Voice Actor Revealed] Erfin (CV. Kang Eun-ae)] (video) (in Korean). Retrieved May 30, 2026 – via YouTube.
  5. ^ a b c d e "Trickcal:Chibi Go-Trickcal or Treat！". Trickcal:Chibi Go. Retrieved May 23, 2026.
  6. ^ 『トリッカル』日韓の“ｽﾋﾟｷ”がついに邂逅。日本語声優の小坂井祐莉絵さん&韓国語声優のパク・シユンさんが3月23日19時から「POPOPO」で生配信 [The Japanese and Korean voice actors for "Trickal" finally meet. Japanese voice actress Yurie Kosakai and Korean voice actor Park Si-yoon will be live streaming on "POPOPO" from 7 PM on March 23rd.]. Denfamicogamer (in Japanese). March 23, 2026. Retrieved May 23, 2026.
  7. ^ a b c d 『トリッカル』救世主“ｽﾋﾟｷ”さん過労死寸前!? 日本をメロメロにした謎ミームを限界まで使い倒す運営、正気か？ ["Spiki," the savior of "Trickal," is on the verge of death from overwork!? Are the developers sane for pushing the mysterious meme that has captivated Japan to its limits?]. Denfamicogamer (in Japanese). March 26, 2026. Retrieved May 23, 2026.
  8. ^ a b Han, Anderson (July 3, 2024). "Korean mobile games we would love to see get a global launch". Pocket Gamer. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  9. ^ a b c d e ［インタビュー］家を抵当に入れた真因は，PDの確信犯的な嘘だった。「トリッカル」開発元の代表と，「代表を売った」副代表が語る波瀾万丈な物語 [[Interview] The real reason the house was mortgaged was the PD's deliberate lie. The CEO of the company that developed "Trickal" and the vice-CEO who "betrayed the CEO" tell their tumultuous story.]. 4Gamer.net (in Japanese). February 21, 2026. Retrieved May 23, 2026.
  10. ^ Morris, Iwan (January 29, 2025). "Trickcal: ReVive to get global launch and major fanfare at Taipei Games Show". Pocket Gamer. Retrieved May 23, 2026.
  11. ^ Botadkar, Tanish (May 28, 2025). "Trickcal: Chibi Go opens global pre-registration with a new name and trailer". Pocket Gamer. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  12. ^ Morris, Iwan (September 5, 2025). "Trickcal: Chibi Go to open pre-registration on iOS and Android ahead of TGS appearance". Pocket Gamer. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  13. ^ B站超解压二次元手游《嘟嘟脸恶作剧》公测！ [Bilibili's super stress-relieving anime-style mobile game "Trickcal: Chibi Go" is now in open beta!]. Yangtse Evening Post. December 18, 2025. Retrieved June 2, 2026.
  14. ^ a b "もちもちほっぺをひっぱる"ことに全力なゲーム『トリッカル』が、可愛くて、癒されて、最高。もはや"触れるセラピー"だった [The game "Trickal," which is all about "pulling squishy cheeks," is cute, soothing, and just the best. It's practically "touch therapy."]. Denfamicogamer (in Japanese). June 13, 2025. Retrieved May 23, 2026.
  15. ^ 트릭컬 리바이브, 1주년 이벤트로 450만 달러 매출 : 게임샷 [Trickcal Revive Generates $4.5 Million in Sales with 1st Anniversary Event]. www.gameshot.net (in Korean). Retrieved May 23, 2026.
  16. ^ V, Amber (August 7, 2025). "Epic Games launches trademark dispute against small Korean studio over the name "EPIDGames"". Automaton Media. Retrieved May 24, 2026.
  17. ^ Kim, Donghwi "Kobee" (April 9, 2026). "Trickcal Revive Hits New Peaks: 5th on Google Play in Korea, 13th on iOS in Japan". Inven Global. Retrieved May 24, 2026.
  18. ^ Yong-Jun, Cho (November 13, 2024). "Solo Leveling: Arise takes top prize at 2024 Korea Game Awards". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved May 24, 2026.
  19. ^ 【トリッカル】“スピキ”配布であまりのかわいさに悶える教主たちが続出。今から始めてもまだ間に合う！ [[Trickal] The distribution of "Spiki" has caused many cult leaders to swoon over its overwhelming cuteness. It's not too late to start now!]. Dengeki Online (in Japanese). January 8, 2026. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
  20. ^ “スピキ”ミームで話題の『トリッカル』、担当声優に「純金のスピッキーコイン」を贈呈―二次創作の作者まで招いた“謎のアワード動画”公開 [The anime "Trickal," which gained popularity with the "Spiky" meme, presented its voice actors with "pure gold Spicky coins" and released a mysterious awards video that even invited creators of derivative works.]. Inside Games (in Japanese). February 16, 2026. Retrieved May 23, 2026.
  21. ^ 『トリッカル・もちもちほっぺ大作戦』ｽﾋﾟｷに感謝の意を表すアワード動画公開。功労賞は24金のスピキコイン [An awards video expressing gratitude to Spiki for "Trickal: The Big Cheeks Project" has been released. The Lifetime Achievement Award goes to a 24-karat gold Spiki coin.]. Dengeki Online (in Japanese). February 16, 2026. Retrieved May 23, 2026.

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