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IdolCraft Review

Rating:

IdolCraft baffles me in almost every way. I'm not even sure if I played it right. I doubt I'm it's target audience, but I still find it hard to recommend to other human beings.

Additional Info

Developerflowerthief
GenreSimulation
PlatformsWindows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7
EngineRPG Maker XP
Filesize32.1 MB
Webpagehttp://www.rpgrevolution.com/game/idolcraft_984.html

Full Review

Before I started playing Idolcraft I had no idea what an Idol even was. I mean, I knew what the word 'idol' meant, but I had no idea it was a technical term. What I can gather is that Idols are like Japanese pop stars, who's skills include singing, dancing, and putting up with creepy males pursuing them in their everyday lives.

In IdolCraft you can play as a creepy male, pursuing Idols in their everyday lives. Yes, you've just been given a failing idol studio (they work in studios?) by your creepy uncle, and your responsibility is to improve it's fortunes and turn it into a successful idol studio. Though what that looks like I dont know.

I have no idea how this idol thing works. After playing for 2 hours, I still don't. My secretary told me to look round town, and I did. It's a nightmarish place; everything looks the same, so it's impossible to orient yourself, and the people dash all over the screen like they're running a marathon. Trying to find a specific shop is a nightmare, since none of the buildings look like what they are on the outside. Several inconspicuous houses I've walked into have turned out to be random jobs, like telemarketing, and others serve important gameplay functions.

So your goal is to 'craft' 'idols' i.e. turning young girls into pop stars by earning their trust, getting them to join your dance studio, and teaching them to sing and dance. You earn their trust by approaching attractive women in the street and talking to them every day. To help you can give them a gift, like some salmon or some lingerie. The way your character never speaks, but all the potential idols still flock around you like your subordinates, is more than a tiny bit uncomfortable.

It's not all bad. It's technically well put together, and all the stat tracking works fine enough I guess, It just freaks me out is all. If you've read this review and you still want some idol simulating action, then go here.

Posted by Joe Gribbin on May 18, 2010 Comments (1)


Zhou Xuanming said at 2010-05-06 11:59:

Haha! I think its a very niche kind of game for a very particular kind of audience. I agree with what you said, and I think its safe to say most people reading this won't be within the target group for a princess-maker game.

Its an interesting game nonetheless, and it probably will get a better score on specialized websites. :)