Infinity Nikki by Infold Games launched yesterday and after spending about 4 hours in its world, it is an experience worth talking about. I have been very intrigued with the game ever since I saw its trailer in the May State of Play this year. But I was not expecting the game to grab me as it has. With an open world akin to Breath of the Wild, and graphics like a Square Enix game. While also boasting a very cozy experience with cool ‘collectathon’ mechanics. Infinity Nikki is a game I very much looking forward to checking in on as the days continue. Even if there some big problems in it.
The Bell of the Ball
Infinity Nikki opens up with the main character Nikki going up to her attic to find a dress for a Ball she is set to attend. But she stumbles upon a red dress in a wardrobe that grabs her, pulling her into Miraland. It is from here she stumbles upon someone chained upcalled Ena the Curator in an ancient temple. Before sending Nikki to a far-off ruin, she bestows a power onto her as strange creatures called Esselings begin to infest Miraland. Leaving her lost in a strange new world with only her little cat companion, Momo to uncover the strange mysteries she stumbles across.
As far as the narrative is concerned with Infinity Nikki it is pretty much the weakest link so far. After waking up in the ruins, Nikki just shakes the experience off. Findng herself in a big town called Florawish. Where she begins discovering a big plot around its citizens falling into coma. It’s a simple story, but I much preferred the mystery of what was going on in the beginning. But I was only to experience that plot thread up to a certain point. The reason for that is not due to the following quests not being available. Rather, the game has certain character ranks that are limited to a daily system of “engagement”. Where you can only earn up to 500 points a day but need 600 to get to that next rank. But that is only one of many daily restrictions as move into the gameplay.
The Dance of Fashion and Platforming in Infinity Nikki
Infinity Nikki is a game consisting of two parts. The gameplay of it is the standard platformer affair in certain scenarios. While also having an expansive open world filled with little treasures to collect called Whimstars. Whimstars can be either be locked in chests that you have to defeat enemies to unlock or either gained by fishing or grooming certain animals. While also being found in little dungeons found in the world that start off as out of place cubes. But as you approach them, they take the shape of portals that instantly transport you into a puzzle room with a heavenly vibe to its aesthetic.
The open world in Infinity Nikki is vast and has a lot to it, but one of the underlying systems really concerns me. Similar to the Engagement system, when you do just about anything in the game, from fishing, to animal grooming, collecting plants and so forth. You will gain progression in those individual aspects of the game. But what makes it similar to the Engagement system is that you are capped to a certain amount of progression in every field per day. For example, you can keep collecting plants but after a certain number, you have to wait until the next day to keep progressing. Which would not be an issue if certain unlocks in the skill tree were not tied to these progression systems. Seeing as those unlocks are the only reasons the Whimstones exist.
But between all of this, Infinity Nikki is all about fashion. You start with her normal outfit and unlock numerous different ones with different powers. One that allows her to glide in the air, another for hitting enemies and even ones for fishing and animal grooming. Where it becomes the most fun is when you unlock other bits of clothing to mix and match for custom outfits. As someone who has played many MMOs in his life, fashion is always the endgame, and a ton of fun at that. So, playing a game where it is one of the core systems has been a delight so far.
Piecemealed Gambling
To put it simply, Infiniy Nikki is a Gacha game. Gacha is where you spend pulls either by spending money or playing in game to unlock certain items. However, unlike most Gacha games, like Wuthering Waves, or titles made by MiHoyo. Where your pulls have a chance to give you a desired weapon or character. The pulls are for outfits, but not full ones like you see below. These are piecemealed, some outfits are 8 pieces you have to collect, and some can be 9. Spending a full ten pull for the chance to get certain articles of an outfit you want feels especially stingy. Making the game harder to recommend considering I have self-restraint. But most people won’t and might lose too much just trying to get one desired outfit in the limited time it is there.
If you do not have self-control, do not look into trying this game. Considering the arbitrary daily restrictions, you will be hindered too much to enjoy it as your go to game.
Choppy Performance in a Square Enix-esc Wrapper
I played Infinity Nikki on the base PlayStation 5 and the game does not run smoothly. Loading into it from the main menu is fairly quick. But walking around the open world is not as smooth. Considering the game is either running at 30 frames-per-second or an unstable fluctuating one. It is not a deal breaker in that regard because the game poses very little challenge overall. But I can imagine in more intense situations later in the game I have not unlocked that the optimization could be an issue. The problem is exacerbated by the fact you cannot pick a quality or performance mode as well.
Miraland however, is what is keeping my interest. Whether it is the mysterious ruins in the outskirts of the open world. Or simply the bustling town of Florawish, the game is relentlessly pretty. Nikki’s companion, Momo is very adorable, and the NPCs all feel like they could pass in a modern 3D Square Enix game. But Nikki herself has a weird style to her compared to previous entries in the series. What really stood out, however, was the opening cinematic cutscenes before landing in Miraland. Everything from the voice acting, to the visual effects and character models were incredible. But after that point, it all starts to feel standard in comparison.
Should you Play Infinity Nikki?
I can recommend the game based off the gameplay if you do not mind playing in small bursts. If you do not, and also do not like the Gacha mechanics, then do not give it a try. I like what I have experienced so far, but it is only just day one. So, I cannot be sure if the game will get better or worse.
Infinity Nikki is free-to-play on PlayStation 5, PC via the Epic Games Store. As well as iOS and Android mobile devices.
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