A Fresh Chapter in the Nikki Series
For years, I have found absolutely any opportunity to lore dump about one of my favourite mobile games, Love Nikki. This surprisingly good dress-up game offers gorgeous visuals coupled with incredibly sloppy translations that obscure a bizarre story. Imagine a world where people wage war with fashion rather than violence. Well, mostly—until a bloke shows up and murders someone with a sword around 15 chapters in, instead of a lacy blouse or ballet pump!
The Transition to Infinity Nikki
By the time the sequel, Shining Nikki, came around, I had fallen off the wagon. However, I’ve been back on board ever since the announcement of Infinity Nikki in 2022. This installment is revolutionary for the series as it veers beyond mobile platforms, planning to release on PC and console. It blends traditional dress-up gameplay with action and exploration elements. When I discovered it had a giant booth at Gamescom this year, I knew I had to check it out. Standing in the queue, glancing at the demo stations, the first thing that caught my eye was its UI, resembling the now-familiar Hoyoverse style seen in games like Wuthering Waves and Tower of Fantasy.
Gameplay Impressions
As soon as I got my hands on Infinity Nikki, it was precisely what I had expected— a dress-up Genshin Impact. Don’t get it twisted; I say that with zero malice because I absolutely loved my time with the game. My 10-minute demo session felt far too short, and if adult responsibilities weren’t calling, I would’ve eagerly queued up for another turn. Unlike a large cast of waifus and husbandos, it’s just protagonist Nikki and her cat companion Momo. The fun comes from Nikki’s outfits, which enable her to navigate platforming puzzles, fish, catch bugs, and purify creatures.
A Promise of More Intricacies
During the demo, I had only one outfit per action, but I trust there will be more choices down the line. The ones I did experience were utterly gorgeous. From extravagant dresses to adorable dungarees and wellies, the detail is impeccable. Beyond action-specific fits, I could dress up Nikki in a mix-and-match assortment. The various hairstyles, outerwear, and accessories captured the quintessential Nikki experience, replete with category tags that may come into play as in previous games.
Potential and Room for Growth
While the platforming puzzles were straightforward and enjoyable, the combat felt overly simplistic. My encounters involved staying at a distance and shooting projectiles, which eliminated enemies in a few hits. These foes retaliated with easily avoidable projectiles, making battles feel somewhat unchallenging. I hope that bosses or domain-style challenges will provide more demanding gameplay. Despite some aspects appearing too simple, my brief time with Infinity Nikki left me eagerly wanting more. The exploration of Miraland’s beautiful environments and exquisite details on Nikki’s attire was delightful.
I am undeniably excited to see this long-time favourite series break out from mobile constraints. The developers at InFold Games have done a commendable job transitioning Nikki to PC and console, making her feel right at home.
