Infinity Nikki review, Fashionistas rule this world

Imagine a world where wishes come true, Stylists are revered superstars, and fashion is the path to the best skills and jobs all powered by a source called whim (as in whimsical). What would it be like if you were a new visitor and was asked to save this world with nothing but your wits, a dash of magic, and an impeccable sense of style? Enter the Magical World of Miraland! Infinity Nikki, the fifth entry in the Nikki series, is here to make that dream come true. Whether you’re a veteran of its dress-up origins or entirely new to Miraland, this game offers a whimsical adventure for gamers of all stripes.

What is Infinity Nikki?

Infinity Nikki is presented as a cozy open-world adventure game developed by Infold Games, blending elements of platforming, puzzle-solving, and fashion in a way that feels utterly unique. While its predecessors mainly focused on mobile dress-up mechanics, this installment expands the franchise into a lush, interconnected open world, where style is more than aesthetic—it's a way of life.

Player's step into the stylish shoes of Nikki, joined by her loyal, sassy feline companion, Momo, while looking for new amazing clothes to wear they are whisked away to the magical land of Miraland. This fantastical realm is divided into distinct regions, each brimming with personality, secrets, and vibrant landscapes to explore. From the flower-filled Florawish to the shadowy depths of Wishing Woods, each area invites you to engage with its puzzles, quirky NPCs, and unique lore.

It feels this game is trying hard to break into the market that is currently in a mostly iron grip of Genshin Impact and Honkai Star Rail Unlike many other games in the MiHoYo/HoYoverse genre. Unlike those games however, Infinity Nikki is light on combat, emphasizing much more on exploration and creativity instead. It’s a title that encourages freedom of play, where progress is tied not to defeating enemies but to uncovering mysteries and expanding your wardrobe of “Ability Outfits.”  and Style outfits. These outfits unlock traversal and puzzle-solving mechanics, ensuring every stylish ensemble serves a functional purpose.

I myself only dabbled a bit in ZZZ (Zenless Zone Zero) and my kids play a ton of Genshin, I only have limited exposure to these new waves of free to play gacha games. I definitely had never played a Nikki game until a played a demo in the Infinity Nikki Booth at PAX West this summer. But the game left an impression and when the folks at infold games offered me a review key I jumped in eagerly and curious to learn more.  What is great about this installment that with its accessible, inclusive design and a story that doesn’t demand prior knowledge of the series, Infinity Nikki welcomes both longtime fans and newcomers. Whether you’re here to chase down collectibles, craft new outfits, or simply lose yourself in a stunning world of whimsy, Miraland has something for everyone.

Gameplay: A World of Style and Exploration

At the heart of Infinity Nikki lies its seamless fusion of exploration and dress-up mechanics, making it a game that’s as much about creativity as it is about adventuring. You’ll navigate Miraland’s vibrant regions, from its serene meadows to enchanted forests, all while donning a wardrobe that’s not just for show—it’s the key to solving the game’s many puzzles and challenges.

Each outfit in Infinity Nikki is intricately designed, serving both aesthetic and practical purposes. These “Ability Outfits” stem from Nikki's "Heart of Infinity" a "gift" from a lost goddess she encounters early in the game. Essentially the heart is a big skill tree unlocking new "sketches" to make these outfits, provided you have the materials.

These outfits in turn let Nikki perform actions like floating gracefully across chasms, shrinking to explore hidden paths, or playing a violin to charm NPCs and solve musical puzzles. They even are used to groom pets, fish or catch bugs. There is truly an outfit for everything. The thrill of unlocking a new outfit is akin to discovering a new tool in a platformer, only here, it’s wrapped in layers of stunning fabric and magical energy. Of course, these outfits can be upgraded and finetunes as well and be made to your liking. There are tons of customization options in the game.

The journey to acquire a new outfit is as engaging as the powers they grant. Players begin by exploring the vast regions of Miraland, collecting Whimstars, fabric, and other crafting materials hidden across the landscape. Sketches for new outfits can be discovered through quests, puzzles, or even in chests tucked away in the world’s many nooks and crannies, so looking around and exploring is always encouraged. Once the materials are in hand, players craft the outfit, unlocking its unique abilities

This system provides a satisfying sense of progression. Each outfit you add to Nikki’s wardrobe is not just a cosmetic reward—it’s a gateway to new possibilities. From floating over obstacles to shrinking down to crawlspaces, the game encourages you to experiment with your outfits and embrace their multifunctionality. It does this all without (mostly) feeling like a pay to win game, allowing you to play and enjoy the full game without the need to spend any (additional) money.

Here are just some of the key ability outfits you encounter early on in the game.

Gliding Dress: A flowing gown that lets Nikki float across wide gaps or descend gracefully from high places. Perfect for exploring Miraland’s more vertical areas, this outfit makes traversal both efficient and visually stunning.

Bug-Catching Ensemble: This playful outfit includes tools for capturing insects, a frequent puzzle requirement. Use it in lush fields or alongside NPC requests to add another layer of interaction.

Fishing Dress: Not just for the angler at heart, this outfit transforms mundane fishing into a whimsical mini-game. Players can use this to catch rare fish needed for crafting or trading with NPCs.

Challenges are designed around using the right outfit at the right time, making them feel indispensable rather than optional gimmicks. For example, an outfit might grant the ability to clean animals, a requirement for completing side quests or earning crafting materials. In another scenario, solving an electrical circuit puzzle may depend on Nikki wearing a specialized engineer outfit.

The real brilliance of these mechanics lies in how they encourage exploration. Players are often teased with inaccessible areas or incomplete puzzles, only to realize later that they’ve unlocked the exact outfit needed to return and conquer the challenge. 

The puzzles in the game range in complexity, from simple scavenger hunts to intricate multi-step sequences. Some require players to experiment with outfits, such as gliding across platforms in one challenge or using a fishing outfit to reel in a key item in another. These activities not only reward ingenuity but also reinforce the value of exploration.

As I mentioned these outfits are not just functional—they’re also customizable. Players can tweak colors, mix accessories, or layer on additional cosmetics to make each outfit uniquely their own. The game even provides a detailed photo mode, allowing you to capture Nikki in action or striking fashion poses capturing each detail of the design.

Miraland is divided into several beautifully crafted regions, each with its own distinct theme and atmosphere. The quaint charm of Florawish feels like a dreamscape come to life, with its cobblestone streets and endless fields of blooming flowers. In contrast, the Wishing Woods is cloaked in mystery, where the interplay of light and shadow creates an environment that feels both inviting and foreboding. Other areas, such as Breezy Meadow and Stoneville, offer their own visual and gameplay twists, ensuring exploration remains fresh and engaging.

Each region isn’t just visually unique—it’s also mechanically distinct. For instance, Florawish features puzzles that emphasize light-hearted, interactive tasks, like collecting flower petals or charming NPCs, while Stoneville’s challenges might involve platforming or solving mechanical puzzles. This variety keeps players invested in exploring each area thoroughly.

The world of Miraland is populated with whimsical NPCs, each with their own quirks and stories to share. From the kind villagers of Florawish to the enigmatic beings in the Wishing Woods, these characters often present side quests that further enrich the game’s narrative.

Side quests are delightfully varied, often incorporating puzzles, fetch tasks, or stylistic challenges that let players show off their fashion sense. Completing these quests not only rewards players with materials or outfits but also unveils more about Miraland’s lore and its inhabitants.

Freedom to Play Your Way

What sets Infinity Nikki apart from other open-world games is its lack of urgency. While main quests drive the narrative, the game’s true magic lies in its freedom to explore at your own pace. There’s no pressure to complete objectives immediately—players can lose themselves in Miraland’s beauty, engaging in its many activities simply for the joy of discovery.Exploration isn’t about ticking off checklists or grinding for resources. It’s about embracing the whimsy and wonder of a world that feels alive, vibrant, and ready to be explored. Whether you’re scaling cliffs in Breezy Meadow, solving a multi-layered puzzle in Stoneville, or simply taking a leisurely hot air balloon ride over Florawish, every activity feels like an invitation to enjoy the world on your terms.

While Infinity Nikki is a game light on combat, there are "boss" encounters that offer more thrilling moments. These fights that blend puzzle-solving with spectacle and emphasize strategy and creativity over raw power, keeping them accessible yet satisfying.

Bosses often incorporate the environment into their mechanics, turning the arena into a dynamic playground. For instance, one fight might involve using the Gliding Dress to dodge a boss’s sweeping attacks while collecting orbs that weaken its shield. Another might require players to shrink with the Miniature Outfit to slip under the boss’s legs, triggering a mechanism that exposes its weak point.

Each boss encounter feels like a test of the player’s mastery over the outfits they’ve collected so far. The game cleverly avoids repetitive combat mechanics by introducing unique objectives for each battle, such as activating environmental triggers or solving mid-fight puzzles.

The visual design of the bosses is equally impressive, ranging from fantastical creatures like towering mechanical owls to surreal, dreamlike manifestations of Miraland’s darker side. These moments feel cinematic, with dramatic lighting and music heightening the tension and making each victory feel hard-earned but never out of reach.

Monetization and the Gacha System

For a game that embraces a free-to-play model, (except apparently for a $9/99 entry price on PS5) Infinity Nikki handles monetization with surprising grace and transparency. The more of less infamous gacha system—centered around collecting exclusive cosmetic outfits— manages in this case to offer a familiar mechanic without feeling intrusive or exploitative.

The game can be a bit overwhelming with the various currencies and areas where you can pull rewards, but I will try to break down the basics here. 

The game features multiple currencies:

• Stellarite (Premium Currency): Purchased with real money and used for exclusive outfits or converted to Diamonds for gacha pulls.
• Diamonds (Gameplay Currency): Earned through exploration, events, and quests, or converted from Stellarite. These are used for banners, crafting stamina, and more.
• Bling (Crafting Currency): Gathered through gameplay and used to create new outfits or purchase materials.

The gacha banners in Infinity Nikki are split into permanent and event-limited options. Each pull gives you a chance at beautifully designed outfit pieces, with guaranteed drops ensuring players won’t feel cheated. 

A 4-star item is guaranteed within 10 pulls, and a 5-star item is guaranteed within 20 pulls.

Additionally, duplicates are only introduced after a full set of outfits has been acquired, ensuring consistent progression.

Unlike some gacha systems that dangle gameplay advantages behind paywalls, Infinity Nikki keeps its premium items purely cosmetic. While the designs are undeniably tempting, they don’t offer a competitive edge. Players who prefer to avoid spending can still unlock ability outfits crucial to the game through crafting and exploration.

Infinity Nikki also includes optional battle passes and reward systems:

The $9.99 pass provides crafting materials and Diamonds where as the $14.99 premium pass adds Stellarite, avatar frames, and stamina.

And then there is the reward for just playing, weekly and monthly cards offer daily log-in bonuses, such as Stellarite and stamina.

This layered system encourages engagement without pressuring players to spend. It’s a delicate balance, and Infinity Nikki succeeds in maintaining fairness while rewarding dedication. that is unless, you are sensitive to the FOMO and really want or need that new dress or accessory.

Ultimately, the gacha system in Infinity Nikki feels less like a hurdle and more like an optional avenue for those who want to expand their wardrobe. Whether you’re here to craft your dream outfit or splurge on premium pieces, the game ensures that every player—spender or not—can enjoy the game.

Presentation: A Visual and Narrative Masterpiece

The first thing you will notice when starting the gam is that Infinity Nikki is a feast for the senses. From its stunning visuals to its enchanting music, every element of the presentation is meticulous designed works in harmony to immerse players in its world. Especially the outfit details are very impressive. The attention to detail in its graphics, the whimsical charm of its narrative, and the uplifting soundtrack all combine to make Infinity Nikki a standout in its genre.

The game’s visual fidelity is one of its greatest strengths. Built on Unreal Engine 5, Infinity Nikki takes full advantage of cutting-edge technology to create a world that feels alive and tangible. Every region is a work of art, brimming with vibrant colors, intricate textures, and dynamic lighting that shifts with the time of day.

Florawish, with its cobblestone streets and flower-laden fields, is a perfect example of how Infinity Nikki balances realism with a storybook aesthetic. Breezy Meadow’s rolling hills stretch into endless skies, creating breathtaking vistas that feel like they’ve been plucked from a painting. Even the shadowy, mysterious Wishing Woods are rendered with care, using fog effects and ambient lighting to create an atmosphere that’s both eerie and inviting.

The character models are equally impressive. Nikki’s outfits are a standout, each one brought to life with detailed patterns, flowing fabrics, and a custom cloth simulation system that makes every movement look natural. Accessories, hairstyles, and even makeup adjustments are meticulously rendered, ensuring that players can craft their perfect look down to the smallest detail. These details do make it stand out that character mouths don't always lip-sync unless it is a cutscene. With a lot (though not always) voicework, it is a glaring omission in an otherwise near perfect design.

System performance is surprisingly smooth for a game with such visual complexity. Even on medium-tier hardware, Infinity Nikki seems to run at a stable frame rate, allowing players to enjoy its beauty without compromise.

Music plays a pivotal role in setting the tone for Infinity Nikki. The game’s soundtrack is a joyful blend of uplifting melodies and serene tunes, perfectly complementing the visuals. Jessie J’s performance of the theme song is a standout, encapsulating the game’s spirit with a powerful and memorable track.

Each region in Miraland features its own distinct musical themes. Florawish’s light and airy tunes evoke a sense of wonder and nostalgia, while the Wishing Woods employs haunting, ethereal melodies to deepen the sense of mystery. The music isn’t just a backdrop—it actively enhances the emotional connection to each area, making exploration feel even more rewarding.

Dynamic scoring is also used during key moments, such as boss battles or story climaxes, where the music swells to match the intensity of the action. These transitions are seamless, drawing players deeper into the experience and heightening the impact of pivotal scenes.

To top it off the sound design is warm and pleasant to the ears and a perfect fit for the overall theme and whimsical nature of the game. I found that just exploring with the music and the little sound effects of spells or bubbles, wind, water etc all made for a very relaxing time, without ever venturing into the story or side missions. The calm pace made this one of the few "Cozy games" that has actually felt cozy.  

The narrative of Infinity Nikki is not necessarily unique or mind-blowing, but the world they build, with the wishes, the in-game history they manage to embrace its whimsical premise with humor and heart. 

The story begins with Nikki taking on the role of “Chief Coma Investigator” in Florawish, tasked with unraveling the mystery of villagers slipping into unexplainable slumbers. As players progress, they’ll uncover a deeper lore involving the Miracle Outfits, ancient artifacts imbued with magical power. These outfits hold the key to saving Miraland from an enigmatic threat, adding stakes to Nikki’s otherwise lighthearted journey.

Momo’s sassy commentary and the quirky NPCs inject levity into the narrative, while moments of heartfelt dialogue provide a balance of emotional depth. For instance, a subplot involving a grieving villager finding closure through a beautifully tailored dress adds poignancy to the whimsical setting.

While the overarching plot isn’t groundbreaking, its episodic structure allows players to engage with the narrative at their own pace. Side quests often expand on the world’s lore, introducing factions, stylist guilds, and the occasional absurd fashion rivalry. This layered storytelling ensures that there’s always something new to discover, whether through dialogue, collectible lore items, or the world itself.

Final Thoughts: A Cozy Adventure Worth Exploring

Infinity Nikki is a game that seems to want to build its own new category in the gaming space. It’s an open-world adventure, a dress-up simulator, and a puzzle-platformer all rolled into one delightful package. While its gacha elements may give some pause, they remain. so far, entirely optional, allowing players to enjoy the game at their own pace without feeling pressured to spend. This is what games need of offer more often and it is good to see infold games taking this approach.

The integration of fashion into gameplay is innovative, making each new outfit feel like an exciting discovery. Combined with its breathtaking visuals, whimsical characters, and lighthearted storytelling, Infinity Nikki offers an experience that’s as relaxing as it is engaging.

Whether you’re a long-time fan of the Nikki series or a newcomer curious about its unique charm, this game has something for everyone. And let’s be honest—sometimes, even a middle-aged man wants to play a pretty, pretty dress-up princess. In all seriousness, this was not a game I expected to every play but after my time at PAX West and my time with the review build, I just found a perfect game to destress after a long day of hard work or to calm down after a raging session of the latest competitive shooter. 

Stylish, serene, and endlessly fun.

Title: Infinity Nikki
Developer: Infold Games
Publisher: Infold Games 
Platforms: PC, PS5, iOS and Android

Review platform: PC
ESRB: N.A. 
MSRP: $Free to Play- with micro transactions
Release Date: December 4, 2024

Thumbs up, you should try this game if it is your first game of this style or if you want to try a different kind of gacha game.

About the writer: DadGeek (Rob) is the co-founder of GeeksVsGeeks. He is a product of the eighties and never let go of his geek interest and hobbies no matter how often someone told him to stop. His love for gaming and all things geeks has been part of his parenting style and permeates throughout the whole family. A family of Geeks vs Geeks