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Hands on with Infinity Nikki: the most stylish open-world RPG yet
J
Jess Reyes
Infinity Nikki is part of Infold Games’ universe of Nikki dress-up games, and this is the developer’s first time tackling a full-fledged RPG, though you can’t tell by playing it. It seamlessly weaves the dress-up component from the mobile games into the beautifully rendered open world.
Nikki is a pink-haired peppy Stylist who finds herself in an alternate version of Miraland—where the previous games are set—with her best friend Momo. Stylists like Nikki can create and wear clothing that gives them special abilities, which you can use to explore the world and solve puzzles. Nikki loses all her abilities at the start of the story and has to relearn them using the Heart of Infinity, a power given to her by the mysterious goddess Ena the Creator.
You’re gracefully taken by the hand in its opening chapter, which introduces Nikki’s various powers alongside the core gameplay loop. In the first hour, I learned about platforming, crafting, and the first of many unlockable milestones. Its streamlined introduction made it easy to learn without getting confused by the many layers of systems. It seemed like every time I mastered something new, it was ready to lead me into the next step or entertain me with quests.
Nikki’s ability-focused outfits contribute meaningfully to the liveliness and interactivity of open-world Miraland. The Floating Outfit carries you through the air between obstacles and empowers you to jump to higher areas you’d otherwise be unable to reach. On the other hand, the Purification Outfit disables dangerous monsters and obstacles with balls of energy. The Purification Outfit in particular adds a layer of action to an otherwise combat-free game with a pacifistic twist. Nikki’s a lover, not a fighter!
Nikki’s secondary abilities, which you can swap between with the Tab button, work similarly to tools in farming games. The Animal Catching Outfit equips Nikki with a cleaning apron and grooming tools to gather materials like Floof Yarn from animals. These cute critters can be found roaming the world anywhere from fields to rooftops, even if you need to sneak up behind them to grab a tuft of fur. Similarly, the insect-catching and fishing outfits transform Nikki into an expert bug catcher and fisherman. You can use these materials for crafting outfits or raising your experience with certain skills, so there’s always a reason to collect them beyond completionist urges.
The Heart of Infinity works similarly to a skill tree and unlocks new skills with the Whimstars you can find throughout Miraland. The game skillfully mixes these systems in a way that makes exploration feel fresh rather than a chore. I didn’t need to spend hours collecting Whimstars just to get an outfit, and I gathered materials and explored the map along the way. I even found a couple of treasure chests and helped a few villagers.
As a dress-up game, it flaunts unique character designs and detailed clothing, no matter how small the accessory. I appreciated the light chiffon and delicate frill of Nikki’s blouse as well as the detail in the black ribbons woven into her pink pigtails.
It also offers outfits in a variety of styles that make expression easy. You can customize each part of the outfit from head to toe, whether it's an elegant gown or cutesy casualwear. Even if you’re not wearing an ability-infused outfit, Nikki swaps between them in an instant as she uses her abilities, with your custom outfit as the default. On top of that, Infinity Nikki includes various hairstyles, skin tones, and even makeup to complement your best threads.
Infinity Nikki is a gacha game, so you’re never guaranteed to get a particular item while playing. It’s not always ideal, especially when one particular piece would be perfect for your dream design. However, I never felt the need to shell out because her clothes are there for cosmetic appeal. Whether you’re in it for the gameplay or the cute outfits, you’ll easily enjoy Infinity Nikki. The beta didn’t have the beginner banners or promotions you would find in more combat-focused open-world RPGs.
Infinity Nikki is a must-try for cozy gamers and RPG fans that enjoy relaxing open-world collecting and customization. If you like pretty dresses, that’s just a plus.
Infinity Nikki will launch on the Epic Games Store in late 2024.