Infinity Nikki
| Infinity Nikki | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Papergames |
| Publisher(s) | |
| Series | Nikki |
| Engine | Unreal Engine 5 |
| Platform(s) | Android, iOS, PlayStation 5, Microsoft Windows |
| Release | 5 December 2024 |
| Genre(s) | Adventure, dress-up |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Infinity Nikki is a free-to-play adventure game with dress-up elements developed and published by Papergames (with publishing outside mainland China under Infold Games), which released for Android, iOS, PlayStation 5, and Microsoft Windows on 5 December 2024. It is the fifth installment in the Nikki series and a sequel to Shining Nikki. The game features open world exploration, platforming, and puzzle-solving.
Set in the world of Miraland, players accompany Nikki and her feline companion, Momo, on a quest to rescue a mystical god of wishes. Different outfits grant abilities for navigating diverse environments and solving challenges.
Gameplay
[edit]Infinity Nikki features "Stylist Duels", where players select outfits based on attributes such as Sweet, Fresh, Elegant, Sexy, and Cool to compete against opponents. Specific attire enables gliding or shrinking to access otherwise unreachable areas. It employs gacha elements, allowing players to acquire clothing items and accessories using in-game currency or microtransactions. The gacha system includes a pity mechanism, guaranteeing a 5-star item after a predetermined number of draws.[1]
Development
[edit]Infinity Nikki was developed by Chinese company Papergames using Unreal Engine 5 and Silicon Studio's Enlighten, emphasizing detailed visuals, including fabric textures and environmental design. CEO Yao Runhao said the development team included over 1,000 members.[2] Kentaro Tominaga, a former The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild director, is say to have worked on the game from Kyoto.[3]
Shortly after launch, the official website was hacked, displaying messages promoting Genshin Impact and urging harmful actions. The issue was resolved without significant long-term damage.[4]
Reception
[edit]| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic | PC: 80/100[5] |
| OpenCritic | 92%[6] |
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| Digital Trends | 3.5/5[10] |
| Eurogamer | 4/5[7] |
| IGN | 9/10[8] |
| PC Gamer (UK) | 74/100[9] |
Infinity Nikki received generally positive reviews from critics. Carli Velocci of IGN praised the game for its extensive content, stating, "It's rare to see a series make such a huge leap, but Infinity Nikki has somehow done so with grace".[8] Jessica Orr of Eurogamer noted that Infinity Nikki is not merely another game inspired by Genshin Impact but surpasses it in many ways, claiming that it "might just replace Genshin as the new standard that future open-world gacha games are compared to".[7] Orr also suggested that the game has the potential to shake up the gacha game industry, much like Genshin Impact did in 2020, adding that miHoYo now faces a formidable competitor.[7]
Similarly, a reviewer from PC Gamer remarked that Infinity Nikki has the potential to stand alongside the biggest names in the gacha genre.[9] Nicole Carpenter of Polygon commended the developers for seamlessly combining the dress-up gameplay and fashion competitions from the franchise with a fantastical world filled with hidden dark secrets.[11] Carpenter highlighted the game's focus on fashion and its lack of violent elements, suggesting it is aimed at a female audience.[11]
References
[edit]- ^ Filby, Jessica (27 November 2024). "Infinity Nikki gacha system explained, from Resonance to Pity & Surprise-O-Matic". Dexerto. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
- ^ "史无前例的豪赌：1000人研发《无限暖暖》定档，CEO姚润昊发公开信". GameLook (in Chinese). 15 November 2024. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
- ^ Cripe, Michael (1 December 2022). "Infinity Nikki Is an Open-World Dress-Up Adventure with Talent from the BotW Team". The Escapist. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
- ^ Carpenter, Nicole (5 December 2024). "Infinity Nikki website hacked on launch day". Polygon. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
- ^ "Infinity Nikki Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 5 December 2024. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
- ^ "Infinity Nikki Reviews". OpenCritic. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
- ^ a b c Orr, Jessica (2 December 2024). "Infinity Nikki review – finally, a worthy Genshin Impact killer". Eurogamer. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
- ^ a b Velocci, Carli (4 December 2024). "Infinity Nikki Review". IGN. Archived from the original on 4 December 2024. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
- ^ a b Taylor, Mollie (2 December 2024). "Infinity Nikki review". PC Gamer. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
- ^ Colantonio, Giovanni (2 December 2024). "Infinity Nikki review: stylish open-world adventure is a dream come true". Digital Trends. Archived from the original on 3 December 2024. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
- ^ a b Carpenter, Nicole (4 December 2024). "Infinity Nikki stays true to its fashion-forward, secretly dark roots". Polygon. Retrieved 6 December 2024.