Infinity Nikki is my favorite new release of 2024. It's a cotton candy of an open world game that offers a lot more depth and variety than I expected to find. I enjoy the fabulous costumes, the simple puzzles, and the charming side quests. But the most surprising thing about Infinity Nikki There was something I had been ignoring in games for years: the photo mode.
I didn't expect this to become the highlight of the Infinity Nikki experience. In fact, when the topic came up in the long tutorial sequence during my first session, my initial reaction was, “Oh, well, something I can forget about.”
Photo mode has become a standard feature in AAA single-player games over the last decade. For those unfamiliar, this feature pauses the game to allow you to pose your protagonist like an action figure, making him laugh with a silly expression or hold up a peace sign. You can apply a filter or make minute adjustments to focus, aperture, and other details to capture a stunning image.
Over the years I've seen people capture Nathan Drake, Ellie and Joel, Aloy and many others doing heroic or hilarious poses. I appreciate those images when they cross my social networks. And as game graphics become increasingly photorealistic, it makes sense that studios would want to give players tools to capture beautiful moments as they happen. But every time I play a game with photo mode, I find that after taking the photo required by the tutorial, I never open the camera again.
My problem isn't that these games aren't compelling enough to justify documenting them. It's just that when I'm playing something like the last of usIt doesn't occur to me to stop for a moment because I'm so focused on the other mechanics and objectives of the game. Sure, there may be some quieter moments to breathe, but running for your life in a post-apocalyptic wasteland simply isn't a time to casually reach for filters. And in other games, taking pictures just doesn't seem like an activity the character would do. Come on, there's no way Kratos is taking a selfie.
Like all his predecessors, Infinity Nikki It is a beautiful game. Miraland comprises picturesque villages and enchanting landscapes, equally beautiful in their expansive views and hidden corners. Everywhere you look there are tons of carefully constructed little interactions that serve no purpose other than to encourage you to present a cute picture. You press a button to take a hot air balloon ride or blow bubbles on a café table. It's a step up from most implementations, where the most you can do is sit on a chair or bench.
However, what got me completely hooked on becoming a photographer is a system where players are asked to take pictures of notable locations around Miraland. The first time I found one, it was a lush green grotto where I asked Nikki to sit on a log next to an underground lake. It was a beautiful place, sure, but what I loved most was that my outfit matched the surroundings perfectly. So I didn't just take a photo and move on to a more important task. Take the time to look great is the most important task.
There is no single stylistic point of view in Infinity Nikki. Some special sets offer contextual in-game abilities, but most of the pieces are there just so you can look exactly how you want. Nikki may be an absurd anime character from fantasy land dressed in tulle and sparkles. Or he can look exactly like someone you might see streaming the game on Twitch or TikTok in an oversized hoodie. Or you can pair a top hat with denim shorts and thigh-high knit boots if you like. (And yes, I wanted it).
This game knows you're there, at least in part, to disguise yourself. He also knows that the most obvious thing when you play dress-up is to immortalize your best looks with a photo session. That's why Infinity NikkiPhoto mode is not only fun, but essential. It is a fundamental part of the game cycle. When I put together a new outfit, I want to find a good setting to take a photo. When I come across an eye-catching spot, I think about what poses will highlight it best.
More often than not, the cameras and photo modes do little to enhance my love for a game. They are the metaphorical icing on the ice cream. With Infinity NikkiHowever, the photo mode is ice cream. And it's delicious.
