Princess Debut is available for the Nintendo DS
Princess Debut features many themes that are commonly associated with lolita; a princess fantasy, magical, frilly outfits and ballroom dancing (one of my favorite pastimes to do in lolita) are all wrapped up in one, small cartridge. Though the main character never wears anything explicitly lolita you can dress her up in many lolita inspired outfits.
What is the game about?
In Princess Debut you play as a young girl who is transported to an alternate reality in which she is mistaken for a princess. Your goal is to master ballroom dancing in only 30 days in order to perform at the royal gala with your dance partner. Speaking of partners, you can also win the heart of one of the many princes in the kingdom, each with unique personalities, strengths and weaknesses. And as if all that wasn't enough, you have to keep your true identity of a girl from another world a secret!
One of the things I like about the game is the fact that you don't have to end up with a prince at all! If it is your preference you can ignore romance entirely to focus on your career (dancing) and the ending will still be a positive one. It's refreshing to see a princess game that gives you options regarding your happily ever after.
One of the things I like about the game is the fact that you don't have to end up with a prince at all! If it is your preference you can ignore romance entirely to focus on your career (dancing) and the ending will still be a positive one. It's refreshing to see a princess game that gives you options regarding your happily ever after.
Caesar, the romantic prince, is easily wounded if you don't stroke his ego.
How does the game look?
The majority of the game is illustrated in a typical manga style. The art is simple and cute, there are very few picture changes and a lot of text but the effect is charming. When you complete a game you receive "photos" of your ending which you can store in your photo album. Once you've completed the game a few times it's nice to look through the album as the art style is very pleasing.
When you dance the game switches styles to more typical computer animated graphics. I'm not going to lie, it looks pretty goofy. The characters have flat, sharp edges and your princesses dress often severs the legs of her dancing partner as his arms fly through her face and out the back of her head. I don't think this is the fault of handheld consoles either, the animators could have created something less clumsy if they had put more time into it. Luckily the dancing is on the top screen of your DS so you don't have to pay attention to it, the actual gameplay takes place on the bottom screen.
The majority of the game is illustrated in a typical manga style. The art is simple and cute, there are very few picture changes and a lot of text but the effect is charming. When you complete a game you receive "photos" of your ending which you can store in your photo album. Once you've completed the game a few times it's nice to look through the album as the art style is very pleasing.
When you dance the game switches styles to more typical computer animated graphics. I'm not going to lie, it looks pretty goofy. The characters have flat, sharp edges and your princesses dress often severs the legs of her dancing partner as his arms fly through her face and out the back of her head. I don't think this is the fault of handheld consoles either, the animators could have created something less clumsy if they had put more time into it. Luckily the dancing is on the top screen of your DS so you don't have to pay attention to it, the actual gameplay takes place on the bottom screen.
How does the game play?
Princess Debut is part sim dating and part rhythm game. Both game play systems work quite well, I never got bored with the conversational options between you and the princes and the dance system doesn't appear to have any bugs or glitches. To make your princess dance you simply use the stylus to trace a dancing pattern on the bottom screen of the DS. Go too fast or slow and the dance move will look sloppy, you have to time your movements just right to appear elegant!
The only thing I could ask for is a higher difficulty option for the actual dancing and a bit more variation in songs. As you improve your dancing you earn more songs, but at the beginning you will find yourself performing the same two dances repetitively until you unlock something else.
The only thing I could ask for is a higher difficulty option for the actual dancing and a bit more variation in songs. As you improve your dancing you earn more songs, but at the beginning you will find yourself performing the same two dances repetitively until you unlock something else.
Still, there's no faulting the story mode. Although it is only a one player game I've had loads of fun reading the at times derpy dialogue out loud with friends and choosing the funniest things to say in reply. With six princes to choose from (not including two hidden suitors) and fourteen possible endings, Princess Debut proves itself to have great replay value. I'm onto my third game and so far the plots are varied enough to grab my attention.
Who should play this game?
Anyone who enjoys light hearted adventures with a big serving of cutesy romance will enjoy this game. Those who appreciate storyline in games will enjoy it as Princess Debut place more emphasis on plot than game play. Fans of the girly shows of our youth such as Sailor Moon and Card Captors will find the cheesy cuteness both nostalgic and endearing. Princess Debut is ideal for long trips, it's great to pass the time on a train or plane ride, although during the dancing segments it's important to maintain a steady hand!
The game is aimed at children but I feel that the amount of text may be overwhelming for younger kids, I would recommend it for children eight years and up. Despite the target demographic being little girls this game isn't too easy or juvenile, it is enjoyable for princesses of all ages!
The game is aimed at children but I feel that the amount of text may be overwhelming for younger kids, I would recommend it for children eight years and up. Despite the target demographic being little girls this game isn't too easy or juvenile, it is enjoyable for princesses of all ages!
An example of the games adorable art
What is the overall rating?
It's difficult to rate Princess Debut, it certainly can't be compared to "serious games" however giving it a lower rating just because of it's carefree attitude would be unfair. Princess Debut does not attempt to be an epic or live changing game, all it wants is to provide a little bit of girly fun which it undoubtedly achieves. Princess Debut is what it is, and for that I recommend it.
I love this game! I've played through it's storyline many times to try and get all of the endings. It's really charming and fun x3 <3
ReplyDeleteDamn I kinda want this game, but the British release has a really ugly case with a real person on the cover =S it seems to be the same game, but without the cutesy art. Boo!
ReplyDeleteYay!! :D I was actually digging through my DS games a couple of days ago and saw my copy of it. I don't think I've unlocked even *half* of the stuff in the game, and I've been re-playing some of my games lately, so I'll probably pick this back up again, too. :3
ReplyDeleteThat looks really cute, I have to check it out!
ReplyDeleteI hope it's like Princess Maker except you play the princess, otome game style.
I'll have to look for this the next time I go to EB Games. Thank you for the review, it looks very cute! >w< <3
ReplyDeleteI love this game, even my guy friends have their bias lol. I think its just fun trying to get the different guys with their different endings. Love it!
ReplyDeleteI love this game!!!! I totally picked it up when I came out, what almost 2 years ago now. I saw it when it came in for shipment at my store and I just had to have it
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