Players are still generally dissatisfied with the changes even after the devs issued an apology.

Infinity Nikki is finally available on Steam following its 1.5 update, but its launch has sparked an outpouring of criticism. Technical problems, unexpected gameplay changes, and steep outfit requirements have led to a barrage of negative reviews, particularly from long-time players who feel blindsided by the game’s direction.

The title had previously been exclusive to Epic Games, but arrived on Steam on Tuesday, 29 April. Anticipation quickly gave way to frustration, as PC players reported frequent crashes, instability, and in some cases, an inability to even launch the game.

Outfit gacha pulls spark community outrage

Beyond technical performance, the game’s economy has become a major flashpoint. Players expressed concern over the rising cost of completing outfits, especially with the two newly-released five-star sets: Snowbound Ballad and Undying Ember. Each set comprises 11 pieces–which is more than usual–and could require up to 220 pulls to complete, due to the game's hard pity system being set at 180. For many, this translates into either significant time investment or a hefty financial commitment.

What further aggravated the situation was the lack of prior notice. Many players were caught off-guard by the change, and worried that it signalled a shift toward even more expensive cosmetics in the future.

The majority of negative reviews on Steam have come from Chinese players warning others about the performance issues and abrupt pricing adjustments. One player, 瓜, said in their review their “…words and resistance are [being] ignored deliberately.” The player also claimed that their reviews were deleted and were allegedly replaced by “AI robots to write positive reviews” to hide the real situation.

Another player, KryysBerry, acknowledged the game’s overall aesthetic but criticised the direction of the latest update, saying that it “retconned the backstory” and left the experience feeling “like a hollow cash grab.”

Developers respond with apology and compensation

In response to the backlash, the developers at Infold Games posted a detailed apology on social media, including on X (formerly Twitter):

In the apology letter, they admitted that technical issues were affecting players across all platforms, including crashes, login errors, resolution problems, and instability, particularly within the new DIY Workshop and co-op features. According to the lengthy letter, “over 100 problems” have already been fixed, and further updates are in progress, including visual polish, quest fixes, and multiplayer improvements. Players will also receive in-game compensation.

The team directly addressed some of the community’s biggest concerns. Regarding the controversial 11-piece outfits (Snowy Ballad and Crimson Feather), the developers explained these were designed with specific themes and multiplayer functionality in mind. They also pledged that no future five-star outfits will exceed 11 pieces. The message concluded with a request for forgiveness and a chance to regain player trust.

Despite the apology and promises, community unrest remains visible across social media and the game’s Steam page. X user @ByteStix noted that the 220-pull hard-pity was not retracted, raising doubts about whether developers are truly listening to players’ feedback:

Echoing this sentiment, @GrandMatriarch added,“No I'm with our Chinese sisters on this one. Cap pity at 180 pulls for all outfits!” However, many like X user @Mafuyuritsukaa, believed that while compensation is nice and the promises are good, “we would like to see you actually act upon it.”

Infinity Nikki currently holds a Mixed rating on Steam, following a wave of negative feedback from both new and long-time players. This average rating may continue to change depending on how devs respond to the backlash, and how players receive the apology.