Infinity Nikki has risen to be one of the most popular games among cozy gamers. In December, I had the choice to try Marvel Rivals or Infinity Nikki. I chose Rivals because that’s what all of my friends were playing. I wanted so badly to try an FPS game, but it went horribly for me. I sucked so bad, and it made me so anxious. It was fun, but not my speed. That’s when I turned to Infinity Nikki, my new favorite game. As a new gamer, the cozy open-world game changed how I view gaming!

For starters, the game is free! It’s available on mobile and PC, and you can link your data between the two. While you can make purchases in-game, I find it just as fun without having to pay extra. I haven’t played many gacha games, but I haven’t spent a penny so far! Though every day my pockets are tested. It’s convenient and accessible, unlike many other games.

Infinity Nikki is also my first open-world game. I’m not sure if all open-world games are like this, but I am always impressed with how much I can do! The main story is exciting and doesn’t take too long to get through. And I’m sure we’ll get more to the main story in the future. The lore is entertaining, but not too intense which I appreciate. But if you want a lore-heavy experience check out the other games in the Nikki franchise! There are also several random quests between the current 7 unique areas available to us. Along with quests, there are adorable creatures that you can groom and plants to collect on your journey! 

The dress-up aspect of the game drew me in the most. The fashion drives the game. From competing in styling competitions to customizing your Nikki, to making the miracle outfits that will take us back home, there are thousands of garments and accessories that you can mix and match. And since the game is free to play, many of these garments are found organically. Otherwise, you can get them through side quests and limited-time quests. I also appreciate that we’re able to customize our skin tone. Though there are no natural black hairstyles, I appreciate the ability to make her skin darker!

Infinity Nikki also knows how important it is to have cute photos of the fits you make. There’s an impressive in-game camera that’s easy to use. The lighting, angle, focus, and more can all be adjusted. As you progress, you can unlock different poses and camera features. You can also have NPCs pose with you! Photography is a big draw for a lot of people. I've seen some masterpieces come out of the game. You can also share the photos so other players can take selfies with your Nikki!  

I have never played a gacha game, but with the exclusive outfits, I lock in! There are a plethora of different events and limited edition quests that contain exclusive outfits. While it can take a little longer, you can pull for the banners and complete the outfit without spending any money. The time for banners usually ranges from a week to about a month. So plenty of time for a casual player to test their luck. My only complaint is that sometimes there are too many banners and quests going on at one time. But, this may just be me as some of my friends feel the opposite!

The game does involve some combat, which I did NOT expect. After a few attempts (I’m a slow learner) I got good at purifying esslings, and dodging bouldys. If you’re someone who is scared or gets anxious fighting, it gets a lot easier. The game as a whole can feel like a lot at first. It’s still new, but I’ve noticed there are more tutorials than there were when I first started in December. The Infinity Nikki community is supportive and willing to help a stylist in need! 

Infinity Nikki is my favorite game at the moment. It’s cozy yet stimulating, which is perfect for me. If you’ve been debating giving it a try, wait no longer. If you're a gamer, check out some of our staff picks from 2024!