Pixel Pretties

[tanithryudo]

Been feeling nostalgic for Gaia Online and its avatar making fun. Of course, Gaia is now... eh... not exactly dead but let's just say it's not as it once was. Also, its avatars are too small for my tastes nowadays.

So I found out about a fashion game that originated in China for anime style fashion dress up. In the US, it's called Love Nikki. I used an alternate facebook account that I had around just for gaming purposes. The linking makes it easy to post image snapshots from the game.



The only flaw I can think of is the lack of sort and search options (for shops especially). As my virtual wardrobe fills up, it takes longer and longer to scroll through my dresses, shoes, etc. And I'm "only" on 665/13939 non-hair items. XD

Comments

[cashew]

Will this be worth time playing? It does look amazing. What's the game play like?

[tanithryudo]

The underlying mechanics is pretty similar to an RPG, where your EQ is based on styles rather than offense/defense stats, and then you throw your setup against NPCs or other PCs and let the dice roll. But really, everyone is here for the shinies.

There's the constant temptation to spend money, but looking at the fandom, it is possible to play without. For me, this isn't the first game I've slurged on microtransactions, and I've gotten used to the regular expense.

[cashew]

So, I looked into this, there's apparently a whole series of Nikki games. And holy shit, some of these outfits are insane!







Although apparently some of these outfits are being sold on Alibaba (wut) for hundreds, so uh, yeah. I think I'll just admire the pretty on pintrest.
(￣ ￣|||)

[tanithryudo]

Haha, yeah, there's also a new series just releasing in China calling Shining Nikki which is a 3D graphics version. Anyway, Love Nikki is the only version that's available in the US. It's also a few years behind the Chinese release of the same, so at least there's a lot to look forward to, lol.

Also, outfits are nice but I do like to mix match and play dressup with my own themes. It's like that stereotype with girls playing dress up with dolls, except now the doll is virtual and doesn't take up room in the house.

[cashew]

Hm, can you not get the Chinese release by playing on Chinese servers? Is the thing IP locked?

Also, I challenge you to put together a "four gentleman" themed outfit set: orchid, lotus, bamboo, chrysanthemum. :p Anyway, virtual dolls is pretty much the reason you've been playing most MMOs, so not really surprising this is the next step. (^_^;;;)

[tanithryudo]

I see people on reddit who play both games, so I presume there is a way to bypass it. I just can't be bother to jump through the hoops. Also, this would just tempt me to spend more money on *two* apps. =P

I'm working on an orchid set right now in game, though it may take a few days to complete all the parts, since I'm also working on a few other sets at the same time which is taking priority.

Haven't really looked for the other themes, but I am only on like Chapter 7 of 16 in Volume 1 of 2, so that's like barely out of newbie stage. So there's a lot of outfits and stuff that's locked behind where my progress is at right now. I'm trying to be patient (and refrain from throwing money at the stamina refills).

[cashew]

Yeah, don't throw too much money at the game, holy shit. Take your time, I'm looking forward to seeing what new outfits you make.

[tanithryudo]

What I'm working on right now:

[cashew]

Definitely gourd first. XD (My biases...)

[cashew]

*facepalm*🤦‍♀️

Ugh, I just realized I completely wrote the wrong thing for the four gentlemen. No lotus.

Orchid, Bamboo, Chrysanthemum, Wintersweet

Fail self, fail. Although, I really like the lotus outfits. So shiny.

[tanithryudo]

There's a couple of suits for wintersweet (or plum)
https://lovenikki.fandom.com/wiki/Red_Flower
https://lovenikki.fandom.com/wiki/Rain_of_Plum_Blossom
https://lovenikki.fandom.com/wiki/Feminine_Chivalry
https://lovenikki.fandom.com/wiki/Lantern_Fair

For bamboo:
https://lovenikki.fandom.com/wiki/Bamboo_Pavilion
https://lovenikki.fandom.com/wiki/Fresh_Bamboo
https://lovenikki.fandom.com/wiki/Green_Spotted_Cornel
https://lovenikki.fandom.com/wiki/Bamboo_Song

Couldn't find anything for chrysanthemum though... Maybe this one? Not entire sure if that's the right flower.
https://lovenikki.fandom.com/wiki/Return_to_Autumn

[cashew]

LOL, yeah, I was definitely looking through that gallery the last few days. XD

Pretty sure this one (https://lovenikki.fandom.com/wiki/Story_of_Shanghai) is also chrysanthemum. The Return to Autumn is 100% chrysanthemum. The only other ones I can see that are obvious chrysanthemum themed are this (https://lovenikki.fandom.com/wiki/Golden_Dragon_of_Neck) and this (https://lovenikki.fandom.com/wiki/Oceanic_Spirit).

BTW, for wintersweet, there's also this one (https://lovenikki.fandom.com/wiki/Cold_Red), this one (https://lovenikki.fandom.com/wiki/Beauty_in_Painting), this one (https://lovenikki.fandom.com/wiki/Fleeting_Life_in_Snow), and this one (https://lovenikki.fandom.com/wiki/Response_to_Crane) - that last one is a very classic crane + wintersweet theme. Personally, I really like Cold Red.

Meanwhile, there's this one (https://lovenikki.fandom.com/wiki/Inked_bamboo_Slip) for bamboo, although it's super subtle. I personally prefer Green Spotted Cornel and Bamboo Song myself.

Not gonna lie, I've been looking at the pictures for inspiration for NaNo - planning to write a "four gentlemen" themed magical girl story. XD

[tanithryudo]

Anyway, of all those, "Story of Shanghai" and "Response to Crane" are unlocked for me right now. They would require a lot of farming but if I throw enough stamina/gold at it I could get them now.

"Bamboo Pavilion", "Rain of Plum Blossom", and "Inked Bamboo" are locked behind main story progress, in that order. I'm currently still working on the "Ink Orchid" suit to pass chapter 7, so there's a long way to go yet.

The rest are all from limited events, so I'd have to get lucky to see any of those in the future.

[cashew]

(っ °Д °;)っ

Nooo, such sadness. Well, don't throw money at the game too hard. Resist the money sink! Just work at it slowly, no rush. (^_^)v

Oh, also found another wintersweet one (https://lovenikki.fandom.com/wiki/World_in_Dream). I'm gonna guess that one's also locked behind special events and/or paywall.

[tanithryudo]

Yeah, that's an event outfit too. One of the more expensive RNG rolls events at that... probably not going to ever get it.