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This is probably the first Unreal 5 mobile game I have played.

(Note: The materials in the article that do not have PC marked are all screenshots and photos of real mobile devices)

Before "Infinite Nikki", it was hard for us to imagine that dress-up games could evolve into today's most trendy open world games, allowing players to explore and adventure while matching clothes.

However, Paper Games’ emphasis on the Nuannuan IP has allowed the fifth-generation Nuannuan to break through the limitations of platforms and technologies, allowing the world-traveling Nuannuan to finally enter the 3D world.

This "highly anticipated meal" was revealed at the end of November 2022, first tested on PC in April 2024, and launched on the mobile "Fantasy Test" in August. The research and development progress can be said to be rapid.

I have observed the overall reputation of the game during the first PC test, and it was almost overwhelmingly positive. Players did not hesitate to comment on the game with words such as "an open world that is fun without fighting", "opens up new ideas for dress-up games", and "a big world where you can really live with Nuannuan".

The first mobile test, where Nuannuan IP players gather in large numbers, is probably the toughest battle that Papergames will face. It is not only because the Unreal Engine 5 runs on mobile devices, which places high demands on device configuration and performance optimization, but also because the core market of Nuannuan IP has always been on mobile devices.

Just imagine that my daughter, who originally only existed on billboards and in studios, walked out of the house with all kinds of clothes, ran, jumped, interacted, passed levels, and went on adventures on the big map. At the same time, the functionality and material texture of the clothes had to be taken into consideration. In simple terms, it had to be beautiful, cool, and light... Just thinking about it makes me feel like it's a hellish problem.

(PC version)

After experiencing this fantasy test, I feel that although there are still many problems that need to be solved at this stage, at least the path of "Unreal 5 open world mobile game" has been paved by Papergames.

Key point 1: Install Unreal 5 Nikki on your phone

What I was most worried about before this mobile test was whether the mobile version would be too different after the high-definition graphics of the first PC test and the PS5 trial of BW. Moreover, it uses the UE5 engine, which is very powerful but extremely performance-intensive, so whether it can run smoothly is still a question.

The phone I used for the test this time was an iPhone 15 Pro, and even without turning on all the "extreme" parameters, it still heated up. However, because this was the first test on a mobile device, we can be more tolerant of its optimization.

In terms of process, the opening of this test is no different from the first PC test, which is the plot of "being taken to another world by the magic skirt left by my mother in the attic." Focus on the clarity of the CG and the dynamic performance of the characters during the plot performance.

I have to say that Ms. Aina is still as beautiful as ever, and the materials of the accessories on her body are exactly the same as those on PC.

(PC version)

(Mobile version)

Since the screen size and resolution of mobile devices are different from those of PCs, the main controller Nuannuan we see will appear closer.

According to my experience, Nuannuan's eye light was optimized in this test, and it feels more flexible.

Except for the occasional blurry picture, as a mother (father?), I am very happy to be able to appreciate my daughter's beauty from such a close distance on my mobile phone.

In Nuan Nuan’s wardrobe, we can zoom in to observe the material, details and dynamic effects of each piece of clothing in great detail.

Just by judging with the naked eye, you can see that the number of modeling faces of each piece of clothing is definitely not low, otherwise it would not achieve this level of detail.

The fabrics used for different clothes are obviously different, including velvet, tulle, silk, etc.

The various patterns and embroidery on the fabric that complement the folds of the cloth, and the magical flowing waves that are difficult to find in real dresses, all add a variety of gorgeous colors to these dresses.

Some accessories with metallic luster, such as the gold trim on this hat, will also reflect different lusters when the figure is turned:

Skirts, hair and other fluffy things will also reflect real physical dynamic effects and shake slightly during the rotation process.

The most amazing thing I have observed so far is this pair of rain boots with a frosted and transparent texture. Even when Nuannuan wears socks of different styles and colors, it will present different effects.

(GIF is slightly compressed)

As a guide and companion, the big cat also gained the ability to change clothes in this test! Judging from the texture of the big cat's hair, it looks more like a moving wool felt. It can unlock the original red cloak, as well as pink and green ones, which are very cute. And the cat itself also fully demonstrated its characteristics of being a playful spirit along the way, adding a lot of fun to the adventure.

At the entrance of the Stylists Association, I also saw a pair of enemies who seemed to be engaged in a "matching duel". They took out their smart devices for changing clothes while dancing, changed clothes in public, and showed off their newly cut clothes/skirts. It felt quite interesting. Players can also go up and have a thrilling matching competition with them. This is back to the familiar "Qi Nuan" and "Shining Nuan" segments.

These NPCs with unique shapes and life styles are a great help for players to integrate into the open world.

In terms of the environment, "Infinite Nikki" has the strong sense of depth that is common in open worlds. You can fly to great heights on a hot air balloon, or go into a waterfall to explore a cave. The effect of looking at the distant scenery from a high place is not all textures, and it still has the feeling of a vast world.

At present, the map style we can experience is limited to European pastoral style, with warm rooms made of solid wood, retro manors, mottled ruins, magnificent palaces...but it does not rule out the launch of new maps with different styles such as Chinese style, futuristic style, cross-dimensional style, etc. in the future. After all, the Nuannuan series has always been like this, "traveling around the world" by leaping across different eras and expanding styles.

The game also introduces a day and night ecosystem. The small animals living on this continent have their own schedules. The products obtained from flowers collected during the day and at night are different. Timid cats and dogs will be scared away immediately if they approach without putting on cleaning suits.

The loot dropped by attacking wild monsters is not flesh and blood equipment, but various materials used to make clothes - that's right, the animals and plants in "Infinite Nikki" constitute the ecology of this continent, and also provide the material for the power of matching.

The powerful rendering function of the UE5 engine also provides strong support for the rendering of biological hair and character hairstyles. Looking at those furry animals, I want to catch each one and fuck them hard.

However, just like the limitations of the devices participating in this test and the widespread heating problem, the optimization and device adaptation of "Infinite Nikki" will still be a big challenge.

After all, "Infinite Nikki" not only has a complex environmental ecology, but also has a major feature, which is that several functional costumes are designed into various skills in the adventure. Fishing, insect catching, cleaning, power maintenance, etc. have different sets, and you have to change clothes every time you use them. Others pursue the excitement of real-time combat, but it pursues the beauty of "real-time dressing".

(On the core keys on the mobile terminal, we even see jumping instead of normal attack)

(This test optimized the highlight display of the search for enemies)

Key point 2: Become the "God of Photography in Miracle Continent"

In the open world design, "Infinite Nikki" has buried many small easter eggs that will make people stop and take a look.

Maybe it’s a quiet place to sit with a great view;

Maybe an interactive bubble-blowing prop;

Maybe it’s the vines that are plain during the day but glow brightly at night;

Maybe it's riding a colorful bicycle across the countryside;

(PC version)

(Mobile version)

Maybe it was a well-lit outdoor relic that I happened to pass by...

At this time, just like when you see interesting/beautiful scenery while traveling in real life, many people can't help but want to "click" to record it.

"Infinite Nikki" happens to provide an extremely powerful camera system, and the light and shadow settings are particularly realistic.

(PC version, a real-life photo system that makes passersby excited)

At the same time, the mobile camera inherits the various parameter settings during the first test on the PC.

From screen vignetting, soft light, contrast, exposure, to action, filters, light adjustment, etc., you can also directly adjust the camera position, angle, focal length, and even the photo editing tools are arranged, so that even novice photographers can easily take blockbuster films.

(Mobile camera system)

Then I found that, unknowingly, this "photo-taking gameplay" has actually become one of the core gameplays of "Infinite Nikki", just like the official new definition of "Infinite Nikki" - "Collecting a beautiful open world."

During the seven-day "fantasy test", many people took a photo album of Nuannuan without realizing it. The scenes full of artistic conception, the wonderful shooting angles, the beautiful and elegant movements, many of which can be used directly as wallpapers.

During this test, Papergames also added branch quest lines such as "Stylist Project" and "Check-in and Photographing" to attract players to actively look for check-in points and complete records. These selected locations will soon become popular check-in points.

The photos taken can be saved in albums or made into notebooks, which further highlights the meaning of "travel" and "adventure".

Players can also upgrade the camera to unlock more parameter options in terms of lighting, filters, and actions.

(The Big Cat gold camera looks very luxurious)

However, players' demands are far more than that, they also want to add halos and more colors! Now that Shining Nikki has evolved to the stage of "millions of straight shots", it will surely be no problem to shoot video blockbusters in Infinite Nikki in the future.

After-class summary:

During the first PC test, I saw someone say that it would not be excessive to buy a 4090 graphics card for "Infinite Nikki", but the fact is that most people may not own a high-end smartphone, so optimization and adaptation issues will be the obstacles that must be solved for "Infinite Nikki" to truly achieve cross-platform interoperability.

Moreover, when I used the iPhone 15 Pro for testing, I still encountered problems such as occasional blurring, clipping, frame drops, etc. in the large world scenes, which required Paperfold to increase its efforts and optimize them drastically.

However, I can already foresee that once "Infinite Nikki" is launched, this game that combines the meaning of companionship and the natural attraction of beautiful things is destined to extend to countless real-life scenarios and become a new spiritual sustenance for many players.

(PC version)

Just as there is a place in the game - the origami cranes in the Wish Dream Warehouse, carrying Nuannuan to a higher place, and the countless small paper cranes flying around, how many players will hallucinate themselves accompanying Nuannuan for so many years, it is impossible to say that they are not touched.

(Mobile version)

Let us be more patient and look forward to the next appearance of "Infinite Nikki" in a brand new look.