The Rise of the "Cozy Gacha": Why Games Like NTE and Infinity Nikki are Changing the Genre

Fantasy scene with mystical characters, contrasting light and dark figures, and elaborate flowing designs by a reflective water surface.
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By Alexandria LopezStaff Writer

Fantasy scene with mystical characters, contrasting light and dark figures, and elaborate flowing designs by a reflective water surface.
  • Primary Subject: Neverness to Everness (NTE) & Infinity Nikki
  • Key Update: A massive mechanical shift in the live-service landscape highlights the booming commercial success of lifestyle-focused, low-stress "cozy" gacha games over traditional high-anxiety combat grinds.
  • Status: Confirmed
  • Last Verified: May 26, 2026
  • Quick Answer: Cozy gacha games balance freedom and player retention by swapping high-stress competitive meta grinds and punishing power creep for creative exploration, lifestyle minigames, and personal self-expression.

Gacha games are fun, but you're forever at the mercy of the power creep.

They're fun, without a doubt. Exploring the lore of a world like Honkai: Star Rail, rolling for new artifacts, and getting cool new characters will always be entertaining. However, the constant grinding can lead to immense burnout - it's not always easy to keep up with it.

And that's why we need more cozy gacha games. Let me explain.

Why Cozy Gacha Games Like NTE & Infinity Nikki Work

Gacha games can be a pretty stressful experience. You spend hours farming for the right piece with the best stats for your character, logging in every day to not miss your dailies, and constantly having to pull to get the characters that are meta.

Four anime-style characters stand confidently on a stone bridge in a lush, medieval fantasy setting. They appear ready for an adventure.
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Credit: Cognosphere

But that's not the case for every game. Take Infinity Nikki, for example. It's a gacha game that blends high-fashion dress-up with exploration. You aren't focused on combat - instead, the goal is to collect outfit sets to unlock abilities like gliding, fishing, and even shrinking.

READ MORE: Hear Me Out: A Cancelled Game Is Better Than a Bad One

The world of Infinity Nikki is just as bright and fantastical - but it's more forgiving, with puzzles rather than combat. It's a unique take on the gacha category, and it shows how the genre is growing.

Fantasy scene with mystical characters, contrasting light and dark figures, and elaborate flowing designs by a reflective water surface.
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Credit: Infold Games

Another great example is Neverness to Everness (NTE). Yes, it has the typical combat you see in games like Genshin Impact. But it shines in the fun, relaxing mini-games you can play. On social media, players were more enthralled by the fact that you can play mahjong in NTE and cruise around the whole city of Hetheareau.

A vibrant anime scene features colorfully dressed characters in dynamic poses on a rooftop, with a swirling portal leading to a futuristic cityscape.
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Credit: Perfect World Games

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And you know what? It works. Gacha games learning towards coziness just works.

NTE has earned $14 million globally on the first day of launch, while Infinity Nikki has maintained a rock-solid community. It proves that cozy gacha games don't have to be so niche - it can't become the new mainstream.

With the rise of such games, hopefully, we see the rise of cozy gacha games. Because with the state of the world right now, I definitely need it.

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