Geek It! Ctrl+Gaming Review/ BRATZ: Flaunt Your Fashion

Back in our tween days, we were fawning over toy catalogues and cutting snippets of the toys that we wanted. Since we never owned a MyScene or Bratz doll, we were blessed by the Internet for creating online dressing-up games such as Dollz Mania and more.

Till this day, this fond memory still holds great value within our hearts. So when BRATZ: FLAUNT YOUR FASHION game got released, the inner child within us did not hesitate to purchase the game to relive our tween memories.

You’ve got the looks and the style, so what’s stopping you from becoming a fashion reporter? It’s time to pick your favourite Bratz girl from the OG group (Yasmin, Chloe, Jade, or Sasha) and kickstart your career in BRATZ: FLAUNT YOR FASHION. Here is our review:

Targeted at tweens, BRATZ: Flaunt Your Fashion gameplay is simple and straightforward — complete challenges to earn money and conquer quests to become the best fashion reporter. From hunting down story leads; talking to designers; and getting exclusive scoops on the latest events, this Bratz game definitely keeps you trotting around in your heels. Literally.

But this dream is not smooth-sailing as it sounds. Not only do you have to chase after squirrels in Central Park but you need to find Marco Baretti’s lost dog and compete in water-fights and skateboarding comps. Who ever said being a fashion reporter is a glamorous job?

Well, what can we say about BRATZ: Flaunt Your Fashion other than our patience being strung along by a very thin thread? For a game that consists of heavy-duty exercise (we’re so thankful for the rollerblades and scooters!) and the never-ending list of mundane tasks that we have to complete, we wish there could have been other exciting tasks to do.

As a gamer, we constantly questioned ourselves “Why are we undergoing this pain?” But in order to uphold the Bratz Rock Angelz’s reputation, we must endure it. After all, the number one rule in the Bratz book is ‘Never say never’! Or should we say … ‘fashion is pain’?

As a budding reporter ourselves, we like how this game has evolved itself to adjust with modern times. Bratz was a major ’90s brand and it was all about print magazines back then. But obviously, technology has revolutionised all industries, including the fashion and media industry.

Word of mouth and brochures are still vital but there is now a great emphasis on selfies, social media and blogging in this modern era. The more likes and followers — the more social following and pocket money the team gets in return. With this realistic representation of today’s culture, it wouldn’t be surprising if this game serves inspiration for the next generation of reporters.

The best highlight of this game was glamming up the Bratz girls which totally fed our childhood nostalgia. Ah, the bold makeup looks, trendy clothes, and hairstyles that screamed “BRATZ!” … It was absolute fun delving into that bubble again, and we probably spent too much time going crazy with the fluro eyeshadows and sassy outfits.

Unfortunately, the selection of styles was a major disappointment and rather limited. With only a maximum of 10 choices per makeup application and clothing items, how were we supposed to set the trend for everyone to see and follow in Stilesville?

We also loved how the girls were given the opportunity to take their dreams beyond Stilesville. Travelling to fashion-centered cities such as Barcelona, Seoul, and New York, it gave the girls (and us) a chance to explore the cities. However, this excitement was soon undermined by mundane tasks again, and it was only until the last hoorah — the actual fashion show — where we got to design the concept and organise the operations that truly ignited our passion for fashion again.

RATING: 5/10

Overall: If BRATZ: Flaunt Your Fashion was hoping to vy the crown for the ultimate fashion game, it has no chance of snatching the wig from Nintendo’s Fashion Boutique (which reigns supreme even till this day). But of course, that doesn’t stop this game from being its own persona.

As an inner Bratz fangirl, BRATZ: FLAUNT YOR FASHION is a cathartic nostalgic experience. To be able to spend time with the Bratz Angels; get decked out in Bratz aesthetics; and whisked away on their fashion-reporting shenanigans — the game experience was still somewhat fun. We had hoped for more in-depth activities but it unfortunately ironclad stuck to the book of basics. Otherwise, Bratz: Flaunt Your Fashion wasn’t too bad. After all, the game was created for tweens and not adults who yearned for nostalgic satisfaction.

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