Summary
- Infinity Nikki stands out with lush environments, unique costumes, and low-stakes gameplay in a world of high-octane offerings.
- The game offers a mix of Zelda-style dungeons, platforming challenges, environmental puzzles, and relaxing activities like bug-catching.
- Infinity Nikki caters to a young female audience by focusing on pretty dresses, cute animals, and carefree exploration in Miraland.
This year’s PlayStation State of Play gave gamers their first glimpses at a number of standout games. From PvP shooter Concord to the first Alien VR game, the selection was varied and interesting. But it was Infinity Nikki— an open world fashion-focused adventure game which sees the popular Nikki series of mobile dress-up games take its first step onto home consoles — which managed to be many viewers' star of the show.
One of the most talked about trailers showcased at PlayStation’s 2024 State of Play event, Infinity Nikki immediately stood out against Sony’s backdrop of shooters, Soulslikes, and horror games. With a trailer showcasing lush green environments, dozens of unique costumes (each with their own abilities and perks), photoshoot mechanics, cute fantasy animals, and light action and platforming challenges, Infinity Nikki capitalized on its cozy atmosphere, chill vibes, and low-stakes gameplay to stand out against Sony’s more high-octane offerings.
Infinity Nikki is the fifth game in the Nikki dress-up franchise. Nikki UP2U: A dressing story, Hello Nikki—Let's Beauty Up, Love Nikki—Dress Up Queen, and Shining Nikki—Fashion Makeover were all previously released for mobile platforms. Infinity Nikki is the first Nikki game available on consoles.
Former Zelda Director Reveals Open-World Dress-Up Game Infinity Nikki
The director of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild's Expansion Pass reveals his first project post-Nintendo is Infinity Nikki.
Infinity Nikki Looks to be a Breath of Fresh Air
In a world of serious open-world adventure games and epic fantasy action games, Infinity Nikki’s relatively relaxed atmosphere is a refreshing change. While the game certainly has stakes — the realm of Miraland is described as a world of lies, and only Nikki can save it —Infinity Nikki’s primary focus is on fun and exploration.
In a recent post on the PlayStation Blog, Infinity Nikki’s producer, Runhao Yao, spoke about how Nikki’s adventure through Miraland will see the player frequently distracted from the main quest by all kinds of activities, minigames, and side-quests — from catching bugs and shearing sheep, to gathering items, crafting costumes, and frolicking through meadows with Nikki’s animal pals. Truly embracing its open-world nature, Infinity Nikki encourages the player to goof off, have fun, and relax.
Infinity Nikki is an Amalgam of Recent Successes Stories
Presenting the player with a land of rolling hills, flower-filled meadows, and gleaming white ruins, Infinity Nikki’s Miraland is part Hyrule, part Valisthea, and part botanical garden. Environmental puzzles in every glade, valley and abandoned castle reward players with ‘Whimstars’— collectable skill points that allow the player to purchase outfit blueprints on Nikki's skill-tree to unlock new abilities . With each new outfit and ability, Nikki is able to explore more of the world around her.
Wearing its influences on its sleeve, Infinity Nikki' s Miraland is dotted with Zelda-style dungeons that offer players platforming challenges and boss battles. Nikki’s Pear-Pal tablet and gliding abilities are also reminiscent of Link’s Sheikah Slate and glider. Not content to simply take inspiration from Zelda, Infinity Nikki also contains elements from other hugely successful franchises, such as Monster Hunter's costume-crafting and platformer-inspired 'collectathon' dungeons filled with Whimstars, Blings (the game's currency), and treasure chests.
Infinity Nikki is Unapologetically ‘Girly’
Despite being heavily inspired by mechanics in other successful games, Infinity Nikki still manages to stand out as something unique. A huge part of this is due to just how unapologetically the game caters toward a young female audience. In a genre dominated by The Witcher, Zelda, and Genshin Impact, a big-budget AAA fantasy action-adventure game marketed primarily toward young girls feels both necessary and genuinely unique.
Putting its focus on pretty dresses, cute critters, and low-stakes platforming, Infinity Nikki in many ways feels like a direct rejection of current gaming trends in order to welcome an underserved audience into core console gaming. Though it undoubtedly takes inspiration from recent games, it strips away those games' more stressful elements in order to keep things fun and carefree. Enemies showcased in IGN's gameplay preview move slowly, get defeated in one hit, and don’t seem to provide a significant threat, and the game's developers have spoken openly about the Infinity Nikki's epic storyline taking a backseat to the pure joy of exploring Miraland’s magical forests and massive ornate libraries. Infinity Nikki looks to revel in being a gentle, casual experience.
Infinity Nikki’s Release Date Is Currently Unknown
With a playtest set for Q3 2024 — and the game’s final release date as yet unannounced — it looks like dress-up fans will have to wait a while before finally diving into Miraland. Still, for gamers interested in cozy, relaxed gaming experiences, Infinity Nikki definitely looks like one to watch.
Infinity Nikki
- Released
- December 5, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
Infinity Nikki is the fifth installment in the beloved Nikki series developed by Infold Games. Utilizing the UE5 engine, this multi-platform game seamlessly blends the series' signature dress-up mechanics with open-world exploration elements. It also offers platforming, puzzle-solving, and many other gameplay elements to create a unique and rich experience.
In this game, Nikki and Momo embark on a new adventure, traveling across the fantastic nations of Miraland, each with its own unique culture and environment. Players will encounter many characters and whimsical creatures while collecting stunning outfits of various styles. Some of these outfits possess magical abilities essential for progressing through the story.
Bright and fantasy-filled open world
The world of Infinity Nikki offers a refreshing escape from traditional apocalyptic landscapes. It's bright, whimsical, and filled with magical creatures. Wander through this wonderful land and explore the beauty and charm around every corner.
Exceptional clothing design and dress-up experience
Express your style with an extensive collection of beautifully designed outfits, some of which even grant unique abilities. From floating and purifying to gliding and shrinking, these outfits unlock exciting new ways to explore the world and overcome challenges. Each outfit enriches your journey, letting you mix and match for the perfect look.
Platforming with endless fun
In this vast, fantastic world, master skills like floating, running, and plunging to freely explore the land and tackle intricately designed puzzles and challenges. The joy of 3D platforming is seamlessly integrated into the game's open-world exploration. Each scene is vibrant and charming—from soaring paper cranes, speeding wine cellar carts, mysterious ghost trains—so many hidden secrets await discovery!
Cozy sim activities and casual fun
Relax with activities like fishing, bug catching, or grooming animals. Everything Nikki collects on her journey helps craft new outfits. Whether you're in a meadow or by a river, there's a great chance that you'll encounter enchanting creatures that bring a sense of peace and immersion.
Diverse puzzles and mini-games
Infinity Nikki is filled with activities that challenge both wit and skill. Traverse scenic paths, enjoy a hot air balloon ride, complete platforming puzzles, or even play a hopscotch mini-game. These elements add variety and depth, ensuring every moment remains fresh and engaging.
- Developer(s)
- Papergames, Infold Games
- Publisher(s)
- Papergames, Infold Games, Fearless
- Franchise
- Nikki
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC, Mobile, Android, iOS
- Genre(s)
- Adventure, Open-World, Dress-Up, RPG
