Sally's Spa
iPhone App
$6.99 Buy now!

Sally's Spa

Our Review by Christine Morris on July 3rd, 2009
Rating: starstarstarstarblankstar :: SPA-TASTIC
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Sally's Spa is a time management game that is fun, challenging, interesting and in addition to playing it I wanted to be in it! Mmmmm spa!

Developer: Games Cafe Inc.
Price: $0.99
Version Reviewed: 1.3

Graphics / Sound [rating:5/5]
Game Controls [rating:5/5]
Gameplay [rating:5/5]

Re-use / Replay Value [rating:1/5]

Overall Rating: starstarstarstarblankstar

This is a time management game that is up there with the best of them. If you like the pressures of trying to satisfy all your customers and make a profit then this is a great game to play. And NO it is not just for girls, maybe you aren't up for the challenge~

Sally has been on our devices before in the previous hit Sally's Salon. That game earned her a deserved following. In addition to that, because the game was on other platforms, notably the DS, (but you can also play it on your computer) she seems unstoppable, which I'm happy about!

So, some good things about Sally's Salon...
First look at the game you can see how games like these, from big developers, are so polished with their graphics. It is a slick interface, with very user intuitive controls. Sally herself is a real cutie and it was fun to be her in the salon.

The placement of the items in the game, with the waiting chairs at the back and then you move around the screen in an anti-clockwise way really makes great use of the screen size. The game packs a lot of things into that little screen yet manages to not look cramped or disorganized. A real credit to the developers.

The game has a lot of features, from the traveling around the world to set up new spas, to the goals set so you can achieve stars and hearts to better your score. As with all games though, features or no features, the important thing is, do you go back for more? I can honestly say I did not want to put this game down until I had conquered the entire world! That is always sign of a top game for me.

Features as listed on their site are:

* Drag & slide your customers to spa stations
* Use your finger to play micro-games like Hot Stones, Bath Bombs & much more!
* Shop for better upgrades/products for your sales shelf
* Use your power-ups to make customers happy
* Many personalities from busy moms to male models.
* Travel around the world to high-end spas.

There are a good variety of customers which is great, especially when you get the couples who don't want to be separated so you must be sure to have 2 places everywhere or they won't go. There is also a good range of upgrades to buy, from hiring staff, to better chairs & facilities. Also special 'fragrant candles' that you can get which do different things from calming the customers down to getting them to tip a little higher.

Also after each level is completed you get to restock the items she has for sale for the customers, and you get new products as you sell more and more. This is a nice extra earner.

You can play with different accounts, so the whole family can play which is nice.

The main thing that I don't like about the game is I've finished it. I don't understand why there isn't an open-ended version, so I can just play Spa until I am filthy rich. Well, I do understand, I guess they worry they won't then sell more of their games. Maybe they could release a slightly more expensive version that is unlimited play, or you could pay a small fee to buy upgrades or similar. I really was disappointed when it was over, and didn't play it again, there was no point. This was why I awarded it such a low score for the replay value. Although you will be playing it from start to finish I'm sure, I just don't think once you have completed it that you will then pick it up and play it all again. I have spoken to others who have played the game and have said the same.

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Overall at the low price of $0.99 there is enough scope and addiction to satisfy, but I really think they have to add some kind of 'survival mode', because once you have finished it there isn't a lot to do. I did totally love playing it though, I wanted to play for longer!

iPhone Screenshots

(click to enlarge)

Sally's Spa screenshot 1 Sally's Spa screenshot 2 Sally's Spa screenshot 3 Sally's Spa screenshot 4 Sally's Spa screenshot 5
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