Fashion Story Review

I want The Barbie Dream House - do they still make it? Every year, I secretly wish for Santa to shoot down the chimney and personally assemble the two-story Barbie Dream House, elevator included. Rather than the bland and undesired Gem Rocker Stage I received at 10 years of age with a note “From: Santa,” poorly scrawled in my own father’s handwriting, I still wish for Barbie and Ken to set up house in the playroom of my mind.

Fashion Story is a Free to Play (F2P) app designed by TeamLava, which essentially means playing without restriction, but apps like these often prompt the player to make in-app purchases to promote progress or success. Fashion Story uses In-Game Currency that the player can purchase to progress in the game, and it also uses In-Game Credits, awarding the player and allowing him or her to progress with rapidity.

In bubblegum shades of pink with graphics that resemble overly made up and voluptuous Bratz Dolls instead of Barbies, Fashion Story affords the player various options in the beginning. I can design and furnish my own boutique, compile a catalog, or stock my closet. After completing these activities, I can earn gems and then buy coins to further my personal fashion story.

Fashion Story is suited for social networking and allows the player to invite friends. The sound effects loop elevator-type muzak, and not like the kind in my future Barbie Dream House! The initial play is limited. In a matter of minutes, I am directed to multiple screens that ask me to empty my piggy bank.

The interface of Fashion Story is also somewhat convoluted, and it is difficult to discern what to do next. There seem to be too many options from which to choose, and although the screen pops up with a clear “Buy,” the system of earning gems to buy coins may keep parents on the receiving end of small debits from their bank accounts.

Fashion Story could be fun for young girls who have yet to learn that if Barbie were anatomically correct, she would actually topple over. For me, Fashion Story just doesn’t cut it, and is not worth my time - or, more appropriately, my investment.