Belle's Beauty Boutique is, as you may have guessed, a no-apologising Game For Girls. It's candy coloured, it's superficially about a beauty salon, and it's as girly sugar-coated with sprinkles as you could ask for.
However! The review also reveals Belle's Beauty Boutique as possibly having a fair amount of depth and challenge, along with what looks like a solid resource-management-against-the-clock game base. As long as you can stomach the assumption that girls are all interested in gossip and flirting, there are some basic Sims-esque interactions that form a fundamental part of the gameplay:
In this regard, Belle's Beauty Boutique is a bit of a departure from the standard formula found in other similar games. Instead of the goal being to rack up bonus points by chaining commands of the same type together, players earn bonuses by seating customers in such a way that they're able to gossip and flirt with each other.
If you consider this to be a game for teens or tweens, it's a pretty shallow game when compared to the far more interesting social dynamics in games like The Sims. For the very young though, this sort of thing could prove to be very decent "videogame training wheels".
Ultimately though, I can't help but lament the existence of these types of games. I was always the stalwart supporter of just better marketing, as there are (IMO) enough games out there that girls would love, if they just knew about them or understood that they weren't just for army-loving chaps. If girls do get games specifically targeted to them (as they will), if there's a broad and neverending supply of Games For Girls, I worry that their diet of gaming may end up being sugar and spice all the way.
It's just not healthy, that.
This game is so fun it is just like diner dash
Posted by: fairygirl411 | January 19, 2007 at 00:23
This game is so fun it is just like diner dash
Posted by: fairygirl411 | January 19, 2007 at 00:23
Hey, this is Tom - I'm the designer and producer of BBB. Thanks for posting a review of it! I spent 14 months working on this game and it's my baby so I'm very happy to see that it's doing so well.
This game was actually targetted at women 35+ (not teens) but it looks like it has a much broader appeal than we initially thought - for men as well as women!
Thanks again for your review.
Posted by: | January 25, 2007 at 21:50
Tom, keep up the good work. It helps my reflexes, and clears my head after a long day at work. Usually I play the sims 2 but that game is too large to load for just an hour of relaxation. Thanks,
Posted by: Line | January 27, 2007 at 22:06
tom, i love this game! i'm hoping you'll make more games like this one. it's hard to find games for us girls! ;)
Posted by: someone | February 11, 2007 at 22:40
it is a wondeful game
Posted by: mackenzie lindblad | February 17, 2007 at 03:15
To Tom to producer/designer...Your game is driving me crazy since I can't get past level 38. I find myself sneaking downstairs to play it at 2am. Any clues on how to beat level 38?
Posted by: Carol | February 20, 2007 at 19:28
We've also been a fan of Belle's Beauty Boutique even when it was only available on grab.com. Now big fish games has the game so you can download Belle's Beauty Boutique on Diamond Games for those of you who don't want to deal with grab.com. Enjoy!
Posted by: Mark Wegner | February 23, 2007 at 18:34
Hi Alice, I really like your review! I'd love to have you write reviews for my site... it's a casual gaming site for women, Diamond Games. www.thediamondgames.com. I am working with Meryl of www.meryl.net currently and she writes me reviews (see http://www.thediamondgames.com/author/meryl/). I absolutely love your writing style and would love to have you on board my team. Let me know!
Posted by: Mark Wegner | February 23, 2007 at 18:45
Hi there, great review Alice and Tom please keep up the good work, it is a really cool game - love it. It's also great that there is such good contact here to the developer. I think as a developer it is importand to know what customers want.
Posted by: Niki | February 25, 2007 at 15:05
ok
Posted by: agnieszka magiela | February 25, 2007 at 18:31
this game is great, cool review!
I saw the game on position #1 on casualgems
Posted by: Kethy | February 28, 2007 at 16:35
please if anyone can help me get past level 38. I am stuck on this level and it's driving me crazy. Thank you
Posted by: anna | February 28, 2007 at 21:05
@anna: try to post on casualgems.com - perhaps someone can help
Posted by: Kethy | March 01, 2007 at 21:02
Don't try to get the game at Big Fish Games. There version is messed up. I actually purchased it from them before I tried to download it. When I saw the game I knew I would love it. I do, but can only get the game from sites to which I am not subscribed.
Posted by: Micah | March 02, 2007 at 21:14
QUERO JOGAR POR TEMPO INDETERMINADO
Posted by: VANESSA | March 04, 2007 at 04:38
Hi Micah,
Big Fish has fixed the glitch and now has a new download available! Remove the version you have then go back to BF and re-download. When the trial period screen appears click on Already Paid?. then follow the instructions and enter the code that was sent to you in the email after your original purchase. Yhat should do it! Peace.
Posted by: Lin | March 11, 2007 at 03:59
I love this game. My laptop does not allow me to download things from anywhere else except reflexive. Does anyone know if reflexive is going to get this game????????please help
Posted by: Jody | April 04, 2007 at 22:16
this game is very nice, cool
I am from the netherlands!!!!
greetzzz mathilde
Posted by: mathilde | May 08, 2007 at 16:36
WOW im 13 and i love this game!! I RECENTLY PASSED LEVEL 38!! it was tuff, but i save my supper till i get to 7000 or more then it gives me more chance of getting the goal!!
But.. LEVEL 39!!
Please could somebody help me!!!
I really want to get on the Halloween One!!!!!!
Somebody please help!!
Thankz!
Posted by: Abbie | May 12, 2007 at 12:55
Hi everyone!How can I give full version of this game?Maybe somebody knows license name and code and can give me it?I would be very thankful.
Posted by: Eve | May 16, 2007 at 17:46
just finished 39 it was really hard .. i stayed 2 days .. just keep the gossip lady in the middle of the green chairs .. and one in the middle of the hair cut chairs .. try not to make any mistakes (in serving the customers) .. needs some concentration
the gossip lady is the secret .. don't move her and keep giving her spa so that she doesn't leave
Posted by: rhanya | August 25, 2007 at 22:09
i love this game
Posted by: sadie frederick | January 30, 2008 at 19:03