Fariha Bhatti 
Infinity Nikki is a cutesy, cozy game that’s just right for this time of year, but it does a lot to try and make you forget this
At its heart, Infinity Nikki is a dress-up game set in an open world that makes styling feel like an adventure. The twist? Nikki’s outfits aren’t just pretty, they’re packed with magical abilities powered by something called Whim. And where does Whim come from? According to Nikki’s first stylist friend, Dada, it’s a gift from gods banished to “The Dark.”
This leftover Whim now fuels Stylists to create enchanting, magical outfits. It also sets the stage for gamers to embark on a fun, and potentially expensive, adventure.
The Good:
- Calm, cozy vibes
- Beautiful outfits with incredible detailing
- Interactive open-world
The Bad:
- Too many cutscenes
- Cluttered UI
Review Details:
- What Platform Did the Reviewer Play On?: PC
- Platforms Available: PlayStation 5, Mobile, PC
- Official Release Date: December 5, 2024
Infinity Nikki has whiplash-inducing transition from cozy to coercive
The pre-game is simple. Nikki, the novice stylist whose pink hair absolutely clashes with her first magical red gown, enters Wishfield alongside her feline best friend, Momo.
A meeting with a mysterious goddess grants her powers to purify, or rather slay, cursed creatures called Esselings, using her outfit magic. Whimstars are collected to unlock outfit sketches, which show the equipment needed to craft outfits with specific powers.
Up until this point, the game feels calming, but things go off the rails after beating the second Esseling, and an ad banner for the gacha mechanics and in-game store appears. After that, Nikki keeps running into new cutscenes and loading screens that stack up new icons on the menu, and that’s where the uninitiated gacha player may get a headache.
Players coming from combat-heavy games should also manage their expectations significantly. Infinity Nikki offers comparatively little in terms of action.
In battle, all Nikki can do is jump and swipe her arm to magically “purify” malicious creatures. These creatures are hardly a challenge, requiring no strategy or effort to defeat, making the combat feel more like a minor side element rather than a core feature.
Surprisingly, game movement feels incredibly smooth. Nikki can float, teleport, dash, and even double jump to get to higher points on the map.
The game’s main idea is to craft outfits to beat hurdles and then claim the Miracle Outfit that can save the world. It’s a straightforward gaming idea that one can easily convey to the player without dozens of menu icons, cut scenes, and loading screens. This is standard fare for gacha games. Still, it’s never fun when one erroneous keystroke sees the game try and reach into your wallet.
A gacha game with a “gotcha” system
Gacha games are notorious for being deliberately confusing when players try and figure out how much things actually cost. Infinity Nikki is no different.
Earned through gameplay, Diamonds are used for special pulls and stamina restoration. To get more pulls, players might be tempted to buy Stellarite with real money, which converts directly into Diamonds. The third currency, Bling, is earned through gameplay and used to buy items from in-game vendors.
All of this has less to do with the game quests and more with the styling competition. In this contest, which is largely separate from the primary gameplay, an infinity mirror judges the outfit based on the stats. Premium 5-star outfits naturally have high stats, which translates to more points in the contest. Naturally, the best outfits come from being pulled from time-limited banners.
Funnily enough, the styling contest is less about style and more about the stat and outfit level. Most high-scoring outfits make no sense and look hideous. So, those who’re in it solely for the fashion may not even like the aesthetic appeal of the expensive outfits.
Those who are really into premiums can still do the pulls by slowly earning currency in-game, but it just will never be enough for Infinity Nikki’s gacha system. Unlike Genshin Impact, where pulls are for characters or weapons, Infinity Nikki requires pulling for outfit pieces, and it usually takes nine to complete a single outfit. Since the game’s pity system ensures players get one 4-star for every 10 pulls and a 5-star piece for every 20 pulls, the sheer number of pulls needed to complete one outfit makes the system feel exploitative.
As if the already-cluttered gacha menus weren’t enough, Dada also hands over Infinity Nikki’s version of an iPad, the Pear-Pal. This “Whimtech” device displays new quests, messages from Dada, and more. This device is helpful, but again, it adds an extra layer of of menus.
Infinity Nikki’s dress-up core can shine through clumsy UI, gacha limitations
Shelving the typical gacha foibles of an unwieldy UI and pay-to-win mechanics, Infinity Nikki is not nearly a bad game. In fact, the main highlight, its outfits, are some of the best ever seen in a dress-up game. From intricate lace to sparkling magical effects, every detail is stunning, even upon close inspection.
The closet menu offers tons of customization options for makeup, tops, bottoms, shoes, and even tiaras. Fashion lovers feeling unfulfilled from the stat-focused contest can get their fill by dressing up Nikki in fun cuts and flairs for free.
Plus, fans can also dress up Momo, Nikki’s omnipresent feline companion, who uses his sharp cat vision to help find Whimstars scattered throughout the world.
Wishfield is fully open to exploring, and there’s plenty to do. Shopping, fishing, and players can even interact with Wishfield residents to kill time. It’s actually a therapeutic experience to press F and eavesdrop on conversations or learn about the city’s dark history. Occasionally, stylists can be found gossiping about poor fashion choices while browsing pictures on their Pear-Pal. It’s hilarious and almost too close to real life.
The Bottom Line: Infinity Nikki dazzles with its stunning outfits and cozy styling mechanics but struggles with a convoluted gacha system and lackluster combat.
Score: 7/10
