Infinity Nikki Review

As a seasoned gamer with a soft spot for dress-up games and a penchant for all things fashionable, I found Infinity Nikki to be a breath of fresh air. Coming from someone who has spent countless hours meticulously crafting virtual outfits, this game offers an unparalleled level of customization that caters to even the pickiest of fashion enthusiasts like myself.

Did you find yourself getting carried away and spending an excessive amount of time on the Hostess Dress-up feature in Yakuza 0? Alternatively, did you enjoy playing any of the Barbie games that were popular during the PlayStation 2 era?

If those situations resonate with you in the same way they did with me, it’s quite likely that you’re familiar with Infinity Nikki – an open-world adventure game that lets you live out the fantasy of a comfy fashionista. To put it simply, it’s mostly about that!

As a child surrounded by women in your family who frequently discussed the latest fashion fads and outfits, you found yourself naturally developing an aptitude for making sure that the clothing of your video game characters stood out the most.

In games like Destiny 2 where I can’t stop tweaking the Transmog settings, or Elden Ring where I enjoy experimenting with different armor combinations for my character (which I call Fashion Souls), it’s my secret indulgence to focus on appearance and customization.

Regardless of how satisfying it might seem due to its Gacha features and being a mobile game, you may wonder about its quality. Luckily, you’ve arrived at the perfect spot to find out!

Destined To Be Isekai’d

Infinity Nikki follows a familiar structure of an Isekai anime, where the main characters, Nikki and her friend Momo, are mysteriously whisked away from their ordinary lives in an attic and find themselves in the enchanting realm of Miraland.

In simpler terms, if you’ve ever played games such as Genshin Impact, you’ll find that the opening or prologue is quite similar. It introduces you to the essentials, key characters, and helps you navigate the initial stages during the first few hours of gameplay.

To put it simply, when it comes to Infinity Nikki, it’s the game mechanics that truly shine. However, this doesn’t mean the storyline lacks depth or appeal; on the contrary, the game manages to draw you into its adorable universe and engaging cast of characters quite effectively.

As a gamer, I find myself immersed in the intricate narratives hidden within every nook and cranny of this game world. The creators have clearly poured their heart and soul into the writing, which makes me appreciate it even more. However, it’s all up to you – feel free to breeze past them if you prefer focusing solely on the gameplay. After all, everyone has their own way of enjoying a game.

In the captivating realm of Miraland, I, Nikki, find myself on a mission to collect and assemble the enchanting outfits, hoping they’ll be our world’s salvation against the looming darkness. While these games typically weave their main stories subtly, I can’t help but feel tantalizing glimpses of the bigger picture now and then.

It doesn’t mean the story is dull at all; instead, the game effectively draws you into its adorable setting and endearing characters.

Instead, you’ll find yourself immersed predominantly in exploring the narrative thread by thread within Miraland, making acquaintances with its diverse inhabitants across multiple regions, and unraveling a series of intriguing enigmas along the way.

Primarily, the charming characters and lively setting draw your interest sufficiently during the early stages, particularly in the opening chapters where you’re engaged in unraveling a mystery involving people falling into a coma-induced state.

Although it’s certainly engaging, it might not have enough depth to sustain it as a top Gacha game in a highly competitive market. I fervently hope that the developers have a well-planned narrative strategy so they can continually build upon this solid base, piece by piece, ensuring its lasting success.

A Song Of Fashion And Exploration

At first glance, the gameplay of Infinity Nikki appears remarkably alike to that of Breath of the Wild. However, without labeling it as a copycat, it’s worth noting that the director of Breath of the Wild, Kentaro Tominaga, is overseeing the development of Infinity Nikki, which explains the similarities.

In this game, you won’t find intense battles as the main focus; instead, it’s primarily marketed as a relaxing adventure. The primary mechanics involve expelling hostile Esselings and engaging in a few boss fights, but the majority of the game revolves around solving puzzles, just like its other aspects.

Exploration is key here because you really can’t (and shouldn’t) rush the story.

Immediately upon starting, you’re free to roam and discover the vast, open-world environment of Miraland as you wish. Along the way, you’ll encounter intriguing puzzles, secret treasures, and perhaps a few hidden dungeons.

But here’s where that oversaturated open-world gameplay formula feels somewhat refreshing, at least in Infinity Nikki. Many mechanics and activities require you to use your dresses, which have unique abilities.

You might be curious about what makes this game special, but considering you have to hunt for Whimstars in their natural habitat, gather sketches of the costumes, and then create them yourself, it offers an engaging and satisfying gameplay cycle that held my attention throughout the 20+ hours I played.

The capacities of these outfits vary widely, including taming animals, fishing, and even functioning as an electrician to assist with electrical circuit puzzles. As you delve deeper into the world, you’ll discover even more activities that you can engage in using your outfits.

The process of discovery is crucial in this game, as it’s important not to rush the narrative. At various points, Nikki will need a specific level of skill as a Stylist or create a dress to advance the main storyline. This can be achieved by utilizing the Pear-Pal tablet’s Courses section for skill development.

This tablet functions much like the Paimon Menu in Genshin Impact, offering access to various game progression elements. Among its numerous attributes, it keeps tabs on your achievements and other assorted milestones you reach within the game.

Additionally, you have the Factions, serving as a means to monitor the interplay among the Style Guilds; the Compendium, a tool for keeping tabs on your clothing items and accessories; and Mira Level, which refers to your account’s progression level.

As a gamer, I must admit that the features of this game remind me of those found in Hoyoverse’s titles at first glance. However, don’t be fooled into thinking that the Gacha elements are an essential part of the experience. In fact, you can enjoy this game independently without feeling like you’re missing out on something crucial. So go ahead and play it according to your own whims!

My Dress-Up Darling

“The customizable elements of Infinity Nikki are particularly noteworthy, and it’s fair to say they set it apart from other games in a genre that may not be widely popular or catering primarily to mainstream tastes.

You have the freedom to personalize Nikki’s appearance from the Wardrobe section using numerous customization options. This includes complete outfits, accessories, shoes, hairstyles, makeup looks, and even subtle adjustments to her makeup. The level of detail and endless choices make it a thoughtful touch for fans who are enthusiastic about this genre.

You have the freedom to personalize your gear using any of your skill sets, but there are other ways to acquire clothing items too. For instance, you can discover them through side missions or exploring different parts of Miraland, or perhaps solve puzzles or mini-games found in the open world.

If you’re interested in going the extra mile, that’s when the Gacha system in this game comes into play. Similar to other games with this function, you can make a wish on either the permanent or event banners, increasing your odds of obtaining rare and special clothing items.

With this game, you’re fortunate to choose the costume you prefer to trail using the Tidal Guidance feature. To enhance your motivation, the game offers accessory boxes at varying wish tiers through the Deep Echoes system.

The various customizable elements of Infinity Nikki’s gameplay are particularly noteworthy, and it is safe to say that they set it apart from other games in a genre that isn’t widely popular or doesn’t appeal to mainstream audiences.

To clarify beforehand, the clothing items available here don’t offer an unfair gameplay edge or serve as pay-to-win elements. Instead, they are purely aesthetic enhancements that align with the game’s theme. Some of these outfits can also function as new character abilities.

When selecting your primary ensemble, always consider the character it portrays: Classy, Sweet, Vibrant, Alluring, or Casual. The style adapts according to your wardrobe pieces and aids the Stylist in their competition against fellow Guild members.

It’s clear that high-quality clothes lead to higher ratings. However, this doesn’t mean that you need top-tier outfits to win, as decent battle ratings can still be achieved with your regular clothing items.

After stocking your closet with complete ensembles, you can further enhance these outfits to reveal more color options and improve their primary attribute. This continuous process of updating Nikki’s appearance, reflecting your personal taste, keeps the experience engaging as you periodically make changes.

Absolutely, to highlight your aspirational fashion vision, consider taking stylish photos of Nikki using a detailed camera mode that offers additional features like unique filters and poses. If you wish to enhance this experience, you can also add upgrades such as new filters and poses.

C’mon Nikki, Let’s Go Party

Infinity Nikki’s stunning graphics are fueled by Unreal Engine 5, featuring a custom-built character and clothing simulation system for added realism. This combination delivers an impressive and lifelike visual experience without excessive hardware requirements.

On a high setting, where only Shadows were set at medium level, the 60FPS framerate performed smoothly without significant stutters or problems on my 3060Ti. This suggests that it might run without major hindrances, which surprises me given the potency of UE5.

To be perfectly honest, even though I’ve been enthusiastically gushing about this game and how it mirrors reality in a delightful way, and even sharing its resemblance to other games through its stunning world design and, without a doubt, its Gacha elements, you might still find yourself hesitant to dive in. But trust me, the experience could be worth giving a shot!

Although Miraland’s vast expanse might seem less populated than advertised occasionally, I’m pleased that the majority of its puzzles, mini-games, and hidden treasures are generally worth the investment of your time.

Although the story in this game isn’t particularly noteworthy, it’s great that the gameplay offers a wealth of detail to offset the occasional monotony experienced during the main narrative.

If you can overlook certain aspects of the primary storyline in Infinity Nikki, it truly transforms the game into an idyllic relaxed adventure that is perfect for playing during a peaceful weekend afternoon.

Closing Comments:

Infinity Nikki is an enjoyable dress-up game that’s worth giving a try spontaneously. Its innovative gameplay offers countless chances to style Nikki perfectly with almost endless clothing options and accessories. Although the open world might seem dull at times, the assortment of activities and puzzles you stumble upon will keep your interest high. Even during its less engaging story moments, it manages to impress you with stunning set-pieces that highlight the care and dedication in its details. If it continues to develop Mira’s captivating world by adding new storylines and events, it could become a standout adventure game that relies less on controversial Gacha elements.

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2024-12-02 18:10