A fun and simple game for Barbie fans

Since she debuted in 1959, Barbie has become such an enduring presence in the lives of young children, both male and female. She has changed dramatically over the years in order to reflect and represent the ideal aesthetic of the teenage demographic at the time. Today in our digital world, Barbie takes the form of a social media influencer living in a grand dreamhouse while making vlogs and makeup tutorials. Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures is a mobile game where players can explore Barbie’s dream house. Along the way, players can also play with Barbie’s friends and pets.

Aesthetic and Animation

The Barbie aesthetic composed of vibrant colors and toy-like graphics has been there for a while now, and Barbie Dreamhouse Adventure doesn’t deviate too much from that. Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures, in particular, seem to much more vivid and vibrant than usual. Whether this is a good or bad thing is a matter of personal opinion. Younger players might like this due to it being flashy and interesting. Older players will likely be put off by the clashing colors and high-key saturation.

In terms of graphics and animation, everything feels very rigid, flat, and unrealistic. It does make the game feel a bit more doll-like. Still, the graphics of the game is completely adequate. It may not be as good as a triple-A game, but it’s perfectly serviceable. Its target demographic certainly wouldn’t mind.

Gameplay

Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures has a very simple gameplay. In fact, there’s hardly any. Much of the game revolves around exploring Barbie’s dreamhouse and playing with Barbie’s friends in it. Barbie’s dream house has a pool, a dance floor, a music room, and more. All you have to do is select characters and have them interact with elements in the dream house. You can have a pool party, cook in the kitchen, have a dance-off or a concert. It’s way more the more you unlock characters which leads us to the most notable criticism against the game.

In-app Purchases Galore

In-app purchases is a gaming concept that has split fans for years now. Some are okay with it since some games are playable without purchases anyway. However, a lot of people detest it since most games that offer in-app purchases are virtually unplayable without purchasing. Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures falls in the latter category. As discussed above, much of the game’s enjoyment factor comes from being able to play with a lot of characters and exploring Barbie’s large mansion. Since most of these are locked, players are left with a very boring and tedious main game. 

Playing With Dolls Through Mobile Games

Playing this game feels a lot like playing with real-life dolls. You’re essentially playing house with the characters. The difference is that with real-life dolls, you’re not limited by the restrictions set by the game. The only limit you have is your own imagination. Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures might be a good game for little girls, but be prepared to dish out some dough for it. Unless you can get more characters and unlock more features, this game’s not going to be worth it.