As NetEase’s urban open-world game Infinity continues to gain popularity, more and more players are joining the ranks of the “Anomaly Investigation Bureau.” This game, which blends a modern urban setting, supernatural anomalies, and fluid action combat, has attracted massive attention thanks to its unique theme and stunning visuals. However, for novice players just stepping into this unknown modern metropolis, the massive map, complex progression systems, and fast-paced combat can naturally feel a bit overwhelming.
This article will provide all new investigators with a comprehensive beginner’s guide, covering everything from character progression and combat techniques to exploration and puzzle-solving. It will help you quickly breeze through the early game and become a fully capable Anomaly Handling Expert.
Prioritize the Main Story to Unlock Core Systems
In the early stages of the game, your core objective is to push the main storyline. Similar to other open-world games, many of Infinity’s core features (such as daily missions, the stamina system, co-op features, and high-level dungeons) are locked behind main story progression.
- Follow the guide to learn the city: Main quests aren’t just the best way to understand the game’s lore; they also serve as a guided tour to help you familiarize yourself with the massive city’s transit routes and fast travel points.
- Unlock teleportation anchors: While running around for the main story, take the time to activate nearby fast travel points. This will save you immense amounts of travel time later on for daily missions and material farming.
- Don’t rush to clear side quests: Before your character level and gear are properly developed, some side quest battles might be quite challenging. It’s recommended to prioritize the main story and return to sweep up side quests and explore the map once your squad has sufficient combat power.
Deep Dive into Combat and the “Executor” System
Infinity’s combat system emphasizes a blend of action and strategy. The characters in the game are known as “Executors,” and each possesses a unique combat style, elemental attribute, and skill mechanic.
Master Basic Operations and the Dodge Mechanic
In combat, chaining normal attacks and skills is the foundation, but dodging (and dodge counterattacking) is the key to advanced play. When facing an enemy’s powerful attack, a well-timed dodge not only avoids damage but can also trigger a “bullet-time” perfect dodge effect, providing you with an excellent window to deal damage. During the early game, practice observing enemy attack wind-ups and develop a habit of dodging proactively.
Elemental Counters and Team Composition
The game features a clear elemental counter system (e.g., Physical, Lightning, Fire, Ice). Attacking enemies with elements they are weak to not only deals higher damage but often triggers special abnormal statuses (like armor break, shock, freeze, etc.).
- Recommended setup: When building your team, try to ensure you have at least two DPS characters of different elements to handle various complex combat situations. At the same time, the team needs at least one support character with strong shield or healing capabilities to ensure survival.
Rational Resource Allocation and Character Progression Planning
In the early game, your stamina (or equivalent daily resources) is highly limited. Misallocating them will result in “tickling” enemies (insufficient damage) later on. Therefore, planning your progression is crucial.
Character Level and Ascension
Concentrate your resources to prioritize leveling 1 to 2 main DPS characters. Push them to the highest level you can currently achieve. Do not spread your resources evenly across all characters; focusing your upgrades is the only way to ensure you have enough damage output when challenging high-difficulty dungeons.
Equipment and Drive System
The in-game equipment system (sometimes referred to as Drives, Mental Imagery, etc.) is another core pillar of increasing your combat power.
- Prioritize Main Stats: For DPS characters, prioritize equipment whose main stats provide a percentage boost to Attack, Crit Rate, or Crit Damage.
- Set Bonuses: Try your best to collect complete sets that boost core skills or corresponding elemental damage. In the early game, you can use mixed off-pieces as a transitional setup. Don’t stress over perfect sub-stats right away; save your stamina farming for top-tier gear in the mid-to-late game.
Stamina Planning
Make sure to spend all the stamina that recovers daily. In the early game, it is recommended to prioritize stamina usage for:
- Character Ascension Material Dungeons: To ensure your main characters can smoothly break through their level caps.
- Gold/EXP Domains: These two are foundational resources that you will be extremely short on early on.
- Equipment/Drive Dungeons: Only invest stamina in farming suitable gear after your characters’ base levels are up to par.
Urban Exploration and Map Puzzle-Solving Tips
A large part of Infinity’s charm lies in its meticulously detailed modern city and the “Anomaly” secrets hidden in its corners. Exploring the map not only allows you to take in the beautiful scenery but also yields massive amounts of progression resources.
Make Good Use of Environmental Interaction and Parkour Mechanics
The modern city is full of interactive elements. You can scale walls, use ziplines to travel quickly, and even speed down broad streets in vehicles. Mastering your character’s movement skills and parkour mechanics will make collecting high-altitude treasure chests or escaping danger a breeze.
Collect “Anomaly” Clues
The map is scattered with various archives, cassette tapes, and Anomaly remnants. Collecting these items not only pieces together the hidden truth behind the city but also allows you to exchange them for rare items with specific NPCs. When exploring, keep a close eye on your minimap prompts, especially in areas with special markers.
Unlock City Reputation and Daily Commissions
Each district usually has its own corresponding reputation system. By completing the area’s exploration progress, solving regional puzzles, or submitting specific items, you can increase your reputation level and unlock exclusive rewards (such as gacha pulls, advanced progression materials, etc.). Check your reputation panel regularly to see what you’ve missed.
Conclusion
As a rookie investigator just starting out in Infinity, your top priority is to keep pace with the main story to unlock core systems first; in combat, master the dodge and elemental counter mechanics; and for progression, avoid spreading your resources too thin—focus on building a core team. As long as you plan your stamina reasonably and carefully explore every corner of the city, you will quickly grow in this fantastical open world. Put on your trendiest urban outfit, grab your weapons, and go uncover the truth behind the anomalies hidden beneath the neon lights!