Infinity Nikki could be the coziest open-world game ever created.
Infinity Nikki is presented as the most welcoming open-world game available, and this claim is not exaggerated, according to what was experienced in the demonstration held at the Tokyo Game Show.
Over the years, I have tried various open-world games. I have run over pedestrians in the Grand Theft Auto series and fought the Templar minions in Assassin’s Creed. I have also spent hours in free-to-play games with gacha mechanics, like Genshin Impact and Wuthering Waves, always on the move, hopping from one point to another and facing all kinds of objectives. However, now Infinity Nikki comes along, a title that steers away from that frantic dynamic and presents itself as a much calmer experience. This new game, marketed as the “most welcoming open-world game,” stylishly adapts the popular Nikki series for consoles.
After trying the Infinity Nikki demo during a media session at the Tokyo Game Show and chatting with Zexu Shi, the global public relations manager at Infold Games, I could appreciate its appeal. The world activities are relaxing, and the grind is less exhausting than in other similar games. Furthermore, the treatment of animals is humane, reinforcing that the game's promotion is not exaggerated; Infinity Nikki truly offers a much-needed breath of fresh air in the open-world genre.
My one-hour play session began with Nikki and her cat Momo trapped in a dungeon. I had to move between train cars by jumping and sliding to reach the next platform. What surprised me the most was that Nikki's outfit changed automatically while sliding, going from a white wedding dress to a bright blue summer dress. Zexu asked me to open the menu to explore Nikki's different outfits, pointing out that some have icons, meaning they are related to gameplay mechanics, like fishing or planting crops. Uniconed outfits, on the other hand, are purely cosmetic.
Infinity Nikki is already the fifth game in the Nikki series by Papergames and Infold Games. The choice of multiple dresses for the main character has been a central feature of this franchise. The outfits players choose are evaluated in mini-contests against other characters and can be upgraded using enhancement materials. Additionally, there is a sketch menu that serves as a list of materials that can be collected from various activities. Obtaining all the necessary resources unlocks new outfits, but Zexu could not provide further details on the implementation of gacha mechanics.
When comparing Infinity Nikki with previous releases by Infold Games, it is evident that this is their most ambitious project yet. The open-world environments are stunning, offering majestic views of fields, imposing cliffs, and quaint countryside towns. The graphics are vibrant and colorful, creating a magical atmosphere. I also had access to a photography mode that allowed me to capture memorable moments by choosing different poses and expressions.
One of the team's intentions was to create a relaxing game, unlike others where players can hunt animals for resources. In Infinity Nikki, petting and taming animals is encouraged. There’s even a trailer showing a horse as a mount, though it’s unclear whether this is part of the taming mechanics.
Despite a captivating world, I am not completely convinced by the combat system. In the demo, Nikki used a magic projectile to defeat enemies, resulting in fairly unchallenging battles. This might not be enough to maintain my interest, especially as a player who prefers fast-paced action. However, as I continued to play and gather materials to unlock outfits with bonuses, I started to embrace the game's pace, feeling less pressured to rush through.
Currently, Infinity Nikki has exceeded 20 million pre-registrations globally, and its closed beta test is scheduled to take place from October 8 to 22. This title has the potential to attract both casual players and veteran fans of open-world action RPGs looking for a more relaxing experience.
