Revision 1

Skyhigh Gardens

Skyhigh Gardens is a district in Nivalis situated high above the main city, near the clouds. It is an Eastern-inspired area known for its well-tended hanging gardens, traditional architecture, and some of the most breathtaking views in the entire city. With tall buildings towering above and a network of structures and bridges connecting its various sections, the district offers a distinctive atmosphere that sets it apart from the dense, neon-soaked streets below.

Design and Atmosphere

The Eastern-inspired design of Skyhigh Gardens can be felt at every step. The district is built around a philosophy of contrast: lush, tranquil gardens on one side and neon signs with busy businesses on the other. The result is a place that feels both peaceful and alive, where quiet paths through greenery give way to commercial strips just a few steps later.

The architecture draws heavily from Japanese aesthetics. Traditional torii gates frame walkways and entrances throughout the area. Signature wooden bridges connect different sections of the district, offering elevated viewpoints as you cross. Walking across one of these bridges, with the clouds visible around you and the city sprawling below, is one of the more memorable visual experiences the game offers.

Japanese Restaurants

Skyhigh Gardens is home to a Japanese restaurant where you can enjoy fresh sushi or a steaming bowl of noodles with a view of the clouds. The restaurant takes full advantage of its altitude: dining here is described as a one-of-a-kind experience, combining quality food with a setting that no ground-level eatery can match.

For players running their own food businesses, visiting the restaurants in Skyhigh Gardens provides a sense of what high-end dining in Nivalis looks like. It also serves as a destination for social activities, as meeting NPCs or building relationships in a beautiful setting adds to the experience.

Getting There

Skyhigh Gardens is not accessible on foot or by the standard subway system. To reach these gardens in the sky, you need to use the flying taxi service provided to Nivalis citizens. This makes Skyhigh Gardens one of the more exclusive areas of the city; you cannot just wander in from a neighboring district. You have to make a deliberate trip.

For most travel around the city, the intricate subway system centered around The Metro Hub is more than enough. But Skyhigh Gardens sits above the reach of the subway, so the flying taxi is your only option. The ride itself is a visual treat, carrying you up through the layers of the city and above the cloud line.

Exploration

A walk through Skyhigh Gardens is worth making time for. The district's signature wooden bridges and the traditional torii gates above your head create a sense of passing through a different world entirely. The Sep 2025 developer blog described a walk through these areas as "particularly enlightening," suggesting that the district rewards players who take the time to explore rather than rushing through.

The hanging gardens themselves are a visual highlight. In a city dominated by metal and concrete, the presence of carefully maintained greenery high above the clouds creates a stark contrast. It is a reminder that even in a place as relentlessly urban as Nivalis, there are pockets of beauty for those willing to seek them out.

District Overview