Infinity Nikki’s massive PlayStation State of Play highlight in Could garnered an array of reactions. Followers of the favored Nikki collection of cell vogue video games had been excited to see the pink-haired fashionista make her triple-A debut. Unfamiliar viewers both dismissed it as a very whimsical dress-up sport or discovered themselves unexpectedly intrigued by its pleasant and distinctive spin on an open-world expertise. I rely myself in that third camp. One thing concerning the sport’s premise caught with me, however after enjoying a number of hours of a beta model, I’ve gone from admiring Infinity Nikki conceptually to being genuinely excited to put on the complete expertise.
The journey sees the titular Nikki and her furry greatest pal, Momo, making ready for a ball solely to be unwillingly transported to the magical world of Miraland. A god-like being named Ena the Curator tells Nikki she’s been chosen to search out and restore the Miracle Outfits, a group of magical and highly effective attire, to uncover a divine reality. Alongside the way in which, Nikki additionally learns that she’s a Stylist. These are particular individuals with the power to search out and create outfits anytime, anyplace.
I start the sport with three Potential Attire, particular outfits bestowing a singular energy. One is the blue gown/blonde hair ensemble seen within the State of Play trailer that permits me to carry out a floating leap Princess Peach type. Not solely is that this good for crossing giant gaps or bounding between rooftops, however Nikki also can carry out a plummeting slam to defeat enemies or shatter fragile objects. A Purification gown is used for fight, letting Nikki fireplace orbs of cleaning power to purify (not kill) demonically corrupted enemies known as Esselings and collectibles. One cute gown lets Nikki groom sure animals to gather supplies from them. Major skills like floating and purification are mapped to buttons whereas specialised attire just like the grooming or a bug-catching gown I unlock later might be activated through a range wheel.
Based mostly on the beta slice, Miraland is huge and alluring, because of colourful and plush flower fields, rolling hills, and the quaint village of Florawish. Infinity Nikki appears to be like as fairly as her wardrobe. There’s a lot to do and discover, whether or not it is finishing facet quests or, the principle hook, attempting to find Whimstars. These particular stars are used to unlock new gadgets and perks from a ability tree and are scattered in all places. Whereas some can merely be discovered (with assist from Momo’s particular imaginative and prescient that may spotlight and tag distant Whimstars), others have small challenges tied to them. Examples embrace defeating enemies or looking for hidden gold stars, similar to an decoration atop an umbrella. You can even achieve Whimstars by getting into particular portals that warp gamers to platforming/puzzle problem rooms harking back to shrines from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild/Tears of the Kingdom, albeit easier. I like gathering Whimstars because it captures the acquainted pleasure of gathering stars in a 3D Mario sport.
Whimstars are spent unlocking new outfits and different gadgets in a ability tree known as the Coronary heart of Infinity. Nonetheless, this solely makes the outfit obtainable to be crafted – you continue to need to make it your self. Whereas exploring Miraland, you’ll collect supplies like varied fruits, flowers, threads, furs, and extra to craft a desired ensemble, consisting of elements like hairstyles, higher and decrease physique put on, make-up, and equipment. Sketches for outfits might be discovered or earned by finishing quests and different actions.
The extra outfit sketches you discover and unlock, the upper your degree as a Stylist rises. Early on, Nikki joins the Stylist Guild in Florawish. Right here, she receives a tablet-like system known as a Pear-Pal that retains observe of a litany of objectives, similar to defeating a quota of enemies or taking photographs with an in-game digital camera. Finishing objectives raises your rank, which rewards cash and supplies to unlock extra outfits. This could attraction to objective-oriented gamers, as there’s no scarcity of meters to fill. With important story and facet quests, Stylist Rank, and each day challenges, Infinity Nikki always tracks and rewards all elements of play in a way just like video games like Genshin Affect.
Checking a field often means getting new crafting supplies or outfit sketches. That is an efficient hook, because the Nikki collection’ Bread and Butter is dressing up the heroine with a staggering assortment of clothes choices. You may outfit Nikki nonetheless you would like, no matter any skills tied to outfit items. When you actually dig the bug-catching gown and need Nikki to rock that look 24/7, you are able to do that. With so many attire choices, gamers will probably spend plenty of time making Nikki look as girly, regal, or edgy as they see match.
Outdoors of roaming the scenic open world and gathering stars and supplies, a important story quest provides some meaty narrative intrigue. Cutscenes are properly rendered and have strong comedic writing at occasions. Characters like a speaking dragon-like poet or moments like watching a lady driving an enormous origami paper aircraft crash into and degree a constructing add an oddball appeal to the perpetually saccharine vibe.
Infinity Nikki is chock stuffed with appeal at each flip. Even manipulating the world’s day/evening cycle includes enjoying a cute Flappy Chicken-esque minigame. Each nook goals to make you smile whereas finishing myriad aims, and incomes new outfits present efficient dopamine hits. Whereas I get pleasure from basking in Infinity Nikki’s cozy ambiance, its cinematic teases of a grander thriller intrigued me much more. I nonetheless have little thought what to make of this world and the way it works, however I wish to be taught extra, and a number of other lore books and different notes recommend what could possibly be unexpectedly deep world-building. The sport additionally encompasses a multiplayer element, however it was not obtainable within the beta, and developer Infold Video games is not prepared to debate it but.
Most of all, having an open-world sport that doesn’t function overt violence is refreshing. I wouldn’t contemplate any impediment I’ve encountered to date to be difficult, however there’s an attract to simply being on this world that’s arduous to disclaim – every thing is simply so darn nice. I’ve received my outfit picked out, so hopefully, Infinity Nikki’s launch received’t depart us ready an excessive amount of longer.
Infinity Nikki is coming to PlayStation 5, PC, iOS, and Android. A closed PC public beta is now obtainable for choose registered gamers.
