After immersing myself in the whimsical world of Miraland, I must say that Infinity Nikki is an enchanting adventure for those who appreciate style and exploration. As someone who’s spent countless hours customizing my characters in various games, this title caught my attention from the get-go with its extensive wardrobe options.
These free-to-play gacha games usually fit into two main categories: action RPGs or turn-based RPGs. For instance, Arknights has its own unique gameplay style, while Genshin Impact stands out with its open-world design and has shaken up the traditional formula a bit. However, the basic loop of acquiring new characters/weapons (or Lightcones and so on), leveling up for better equipment like Relic sets, hasn’t undergone significant alteration.
I find the unique approach of “Infinity Nikki” truly captivating as a fan. The journey started back in 2012 with “NikkiUp2U,” a dress-up title that served as a foundation. Over time, it transformed, and “Shining Nikki” from 2019 delved deeper into the lore while boasting improved production quality. Yet, “Infinity Nikki” takes things to an entirely new dimension with a fully realized open world. Although some progression mechanics remain, its exploration and overall feel offer a cozier experience than anticipated, even with a few imperfections.
Could it be coincidental that the town experiences a power outage, just as if by magic, she happens to have an electrician’s outfit on hand to resolve the issue? Indeed, but more often than not, Nikki encounters problems that demand several different outfits to effectively address them.
Instead of starting off smoothly, the narrative seems to stumble at first. The tale opens with Nikki and her sentient feline companion Momo searching for a suitable dress for Nikki’s graduation ball in the attic. They encounter various options, but it’s the red dress that catches their attention – this dress springs to life, pulling them both into an uncharted realm where they cross paths with a mystical entity called Ena. From there, their adventure begins as they embark on a quest to reach Miraland, locate the Miracle Outfits, and vanquish the Esselings that are causing chaos in this land.
There is intriguing lore, such as the Wishing One and his sudden disappearance, leading to the downfall of wishes in society, or how the Stylists came about to use Whim and help those in need. While it initially seems like Nikki is positioned as some chosen one, especially by Dada of the Stylists Guild, the latter is revealed to hype every new Stylist. It’s a welcome subversion of the trope, though it’s not long before Nikki enters the good graces of the townsfolk anyway.
Despite using familiar tropes, the narrative takes unexpected turns from there onwards. For instance, instead of the predictable exchange of items, it unfolds into an engaging Style War against a band of malevolent Stylists and a descent into the underworld governed by talking frogs named Croakers. There you’ll encounter hostile Monroefin fish. Admittedly, I think some actors (such as Nonoy and occasionally Dada) could have delivered their lines more smoothly in certain instances, but there are intriguing characters to interact with.
As you progress through the game, you come across clothing items that bestow unique abilities, such as soaring through the air like an angel, purifying aliens, catching fish, collecting insects, and even becoming an electrical worker. These skills are activated by the Infinity Heart given to you by Ena, and they appear based on Nikki’s requirements. Does it seem a bit convenient that the town experiences a power failure just in time for Nikki to put on her electrician outfit and rescue the day?
Indeed, Nikki’s issues typically necessitate a variety of outfits for resolution. This underscores the game’s control responsiveness, as transitioning between skills such as gliding and purification feels intuitive and accurate. However, charging up a purification shot and aiming with the right stick on PS5 while gliding can be tricky. It’s usually easier to just jump and shoot instead.
Exploring the world, taking care of various creatures, gathering resources, and searching for Whimstars can be much more fun than the unpredictable nature of the plot suggests.
Clothing items can be enhanced with Whimstars, much like how they appear in Super Mario-style games. Some Whimstars are easily spotted, either perched on a building or hidden within areas you need to dive into to reach. However, others may require solving simple puzzles – for instance, locating a star symbol nearby or gathering star marks before the time runs out.
If you’re accustomed to solving puzzles in the Genshin Impact universe, you won’t find these challenges excessively demanding. However, there are also the Curio Domains, which are peculiar doorways that open into dimensions featuring mechanics similar to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, particularly when it comes to guiding metal balls into slots. This can be achieved by adjusting platforms to guide them or by tilting slides at precise moments to propel them across a gap.
These tasks aren’t overly complicated mechanically, but they might require a moment of thought before solving. There are also some intriguing jumping puzzles involved, like a tall wall with both green and red platforms. The green ones are safe for traversal, but stepping on the red ones will deactivate all the platforms, forcing you to start over. As you approach the wall, all the platforms change color to blue – it’s essential to remember their colors beforehand so that you can navigate them correctly to reach the end.
In Miraland, you’ll encounter numerous riddles and obstacles. You might also stumble upon mini-games; one involves leaping through hoops with precision, while another requires guiding a paper crane in a pop-up storybook. Sometimes, the journey itself—exploring the world, taking care of various animals, gathering resources, and searching for Whimstars—can be more engaging than following the main plot. The visuals are generally appealing, but there’s some noticeable pop-in on PS5.
As a devoted player, I’ve found something quite unique about this gacha game that sets it apart from others. Unlike many others where pulling for certain outfits might give you an edge, here, the power isn’t biased towards specific banners. Instead, all abilities are linked to costumes you gather within the game itself. These costumes can evolve, offering not just different color schemes but also enhanced functionality, making every outfit a valuable addition to my collection.
Generally speaking, the ambiance tends to be laid-back; intense combat is rare and often requires just a couple of wind blasts to defeat Esselings. Yet, there are certain areas that carry an ominous vibe, such as the Queen’s Castle ruins, which can feel quite foreboding. Despite their intimidating aura, these locations usually don’t present formidable challenges in terms of enemies.
Absolutely, a significant feature in the game “Infinity Nikki” is the element of customizing your character’s appearance. As you explore Miraland, you’ll uncover various hairstyles, tops, dresses, shorts, pants, and other items using the game’s gacha system called Resonance. Each item has distinct ratings, with some being rated as Cool, while others might be Sweet or Elegant.
During Style Clashes with other characters, you can earn rewards if you emerge victorious. Experimenting with various combinations of items is enjoyable, as there’s a vast array of options available. You can modify Nikki’s eye makeup, iris color, and blush, along with numerous accessory types. Furthermore, the ability to save custom setups and quickly switch between them adds convenience.
Unlike many gacha games, there’s no significant power boost when pulling for different outfits on the banners here. Instead, all abilities are associated with in-game earned outfits that can develop new color schemes and enhanced functionality as they evolve. In fact, acquiring an outfit with a similar ability might only appeal to those seeking a wardrobe change while soaring through the skies or fishing, but it doesn’t provide any strategic advantage. However, the fashion-conscious players or those aiming for their favorite outfits will find something to appreciate in this system.
If you’re not interested in gacha games and prefer to immerse yourself in a captivating fantasy realm where you can indulge in various fashion options, then you might find Infinity Nikki appealing.
Obtaining nine to ten parts of the outfit isn’t a satisfying experience because each part requires separate purchases. There’s a promise of rarer clothing with more pulls, and you can choose specific items after accumulating enough, but it remains confusing even for permanent banners. If you struggle with such systems, it might be wise to avoid this game, similar to others in the genre. Fortunately, you can enhance every cosmetic item’s stats through Glow Up (though Style Battles aren’t particularly challenging).
Individuals uninterested in gacha mechanics might find themselves drawn to the immersive fantasy world of Infinity Nikki. Despite a lackluster narrative and some graphical flaws on PS5, as well as basic combat elements, the game offers an engaging experience due to its tranquil ambiance and multitude of customizable outfits.
This game was reviewed on PS5.
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2024-12-11 20:11