Style Savvy: Styling Star

 3DS
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. NintendoWorldReport
    Jan 4, 2018
    90
    Despite hearing great things, I wasn’t expecting to fall in love with Style Savvy: Styling Star the way that I did. I wasn’t prepared to get sucked into a fashion simulator, literally spending dozens and dozens of hours matching the colors of a bag to a customer’s dress. I certainly didn’t expect to find characters whose success I was even remotely interested in. It’s a fantastic boutique sim that is fun to play, even if you don’t know a thing about fashion. I certainly didn’t, but I’d be hard-pressed to show you a game I was more addicted to than this one over the last year.
  2. Nintendo Life
    Nov 27, 2017
    90
    A gem of a game, combining fun fashion, addictively creative gameplay, and brilliantly quirky writing into a truly engaging ensemble. A few missteps — including the absence of stereoscopic 3D and a less lively city — means it won’t render its predecessors passé, but we love the unique personality this latest entry brings to the series, applying its trademark fashion-as-magic motif to the music industry with sparkling results. This is a must-play for fashionistas, but you don’t have to be invested in vestiture to see the appeal; no matter your fashion sense, Styling Star is a perfect addition to your 3DS’ winter collection.
  3. Nintendo Force Magazine
    Feb 26, 2018
    85
    It's the best title in the franchise by far. [Issue #32 – March/April 2018, p. 24]
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  5. Destructoid
    Jan 8, 2018
    85
    It has nearly everything I love about the franchise mixed with a heaping helping of Freeform-level drama, making for a genuinely optimistic experience that exudes charisma with every outfit I put together.
  6. Digitally Downloaded
    Dec 5, 2017
    80
    It'd be easy to write off New Style Boutique 3: Styling Star if you're not interested in fashion or fashion games, but I'd recommend at least trying out the demo. If even someone as void of style as me found it as enjoyable as I did, you might just find your perfect fit.
  7. XGN
    Nov 24, 2017
    75
    New Style Boutique 3 is a fun and expansive game where you change the world with the power of fashion. There's so much to do that you'll experience the busy life of a fashionista without knowing that hours have gone by.
  8. App Trigger
    Jan 1, 2018
    70
    Repetitive dialogue and humdrum filler gameplay will put off anyone who doesn’t already enjoy dressing up characters. But those who appreciate fashion for its power to transform encounters will have a ball with the goofy banter and seemingly infinite design and outfit possibilities.
  9. FNintendo
    Nov 23, 2017
    70
    New Style Boutique 3 – Styling Star may not seem like it at first but turns out to be a surprisingly fun game thanks to its immense content and customization possibilities. While some of the dialogues can get too long and unnecessary and the game may leave out several segments of the audience, New Style Boutique 3 is a proposal that deserves some attention and dedication.
  10. Twinfinite
    Dec 27, 2017
    60
    To my surprise, Styling Star charmed me a lot more than I initially expected.
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In Progress & Unscored

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  1. Kotaku
    Jan 4, 2018
    All the songs they’ve sung have been about believing in yourself and living for your dreams. They’re incredibly catchy if sometimes lacking in substance, but I enjoyed watching all of their performances.

Awards & Rankings

9
#9 Best 3DS Game of 2017
20
#20 Most Discussed 3DS Game of 2017
24
#24 Most Shared 3DS Game of 2017

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 22 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 22
  3. Negative: 3 out of 22
  1. kiaxxl
    Nov 17, 2018
    9
    Never thought I'd find a game about Fashion this fun - my friend recommended it and I thought they were having a joke. But this is a qualityNever thought I'd find a game about Fashion this fun - my friend recommended it and I thought they were having a joke. But this is a quality game with a ton of clothing, hair and accessory options alongside surprisingly charming NPCs, a soundtrack that's almost too good for a fashion game, a lovely looking 3DS game and a ton of content. I didn't expect myself to laugh at this game's humour but I did!

    There's a few minor complaints like not being able to be a male PC despite male fashion and a boutique, or that story events sometimes trigger weirdly specifically. Also the new feature of nails doesn't feel that big since you can't see them in some of the NPC's poses, but since it's not really vital to the game it's not much of a problem.    … Full Review »
  2. midipon
    May 24, 2018
    6
    The only real improvement in this game over Fashion Forward is the much more developed story mode. There's small things but overall this gameThe only real improvement in this game over Fashion Forward is the much more developed story mode. There's small things but overall this game is a disappointment. If you've played Fashion Forward then there's no real reason to play this one.… Full Review »
  3. loonachan
    Jan 13, 2018
    9
    I should start by noting that this is a complete game- no microtransactions, and really no DLC at all as of writing this review. There isn'tI should start by noting that this is a complete game- no microtransactions, and really no DLC at all as of writing this review. There isn't even an in-game platform for it. I was afraid it would simply be a platform to sell clothing packs, it certainly is not. You can use amiibo with it, but you can use any amiibo and all you get for it as an emblem which kinda looks out of place in the rest of the game. It is a Nintendo product, and I have to give them props for not being slimy about it.

    Secondly, this is NOT just a virtual dollhouse. It's shop management game and a rather long virtual novel-style game with a truly massive amount of content for the dress-up portions. Along with 8000 styles for women's clothing and accessories, there is also a huge number of men's style in-game as well. Quite simply, it's a must-have if you're looking for an engaging dress-up game appropriate for most ages. Play the demo if you're interested, and you can see whether you get hooked on it like I did.

    Most of the game revolves around you managing a boutique and recommending clothing to customers- offering endless chances for dressing up the many characters in the game. In order to run it well, however, you have to stock up on clothing styles. Fans of shop management games will feel at home, as you can customize the way your shop looks, outfit your employee, and customize what you want to put on your mannequin in the shop window. It's not terribly deep- you're not managing rent expenses or payroll and can't even change the price of the items, but the game excels at keeping the fun parts of management without getting bogged down into micromanagement. Especially for a younger player, it might be a fun way to learn some money management and some basic commerce along with the dress up.

    The clothes themselves come in a truly impressive amount of variety of style. There are 14 different (fictional) brands you can buy from, and it covers a very broad range of styles. You get a small number of brands in the beginning and unlock more as you level up. Everything from very colorful and vibrant clothes to the highest-end chic styles. Fans of lolita fashion will also be at home, as there is a broad range of lolita fashion items (even if they prefer the term 'baby-doll'), from sweet to gothic and most things in between. The game communicates the very positive message that there is no right or wrong fashion style or sense, and that it should be a way to communicate one's personality and personal style. I wouldn't expect to see many people actually dressing in many of those styles outside of a cosplay convention, but there you go.

    What may not be obvious from simply looking at the eShop is how story and character-rich this game is. Every character- yes EVERY single person who comes into the shop is a unique character with their own name, preferences, and personality. A number of major characters come into the game near the start and have what turn out to be very long story arcs, mostly involving becoming idols. Yes, the game is Japanese and is very much on the idol bandwagon. Even if their goals are the same, they have very different personalities and personal conflicts which get them there. It's not a masterpiece of storytelling or anything, but it's more than enough to keep your interest and give a sense of progression as you level up. There's many many words in this game. For a younger player, it may be a good way to get them to read more, but it could be TOO much, and some of story elements or jokes may go above a younger player's head.

    There are few true negatives about the game. There is virtually no variation in body type- more or less a necessity so they can add as many styles as possible without having to change every one for body type. The act of actually stocking up can be considered quite tedious at times- there are easier ways to manage it's probably the least fun thing about the game, but not so horrible as to take away from the fun things.

    On some technical notes, the game LOOKS fantastic- there is very little of the 3DS' signature aliasing issues, and the textures look about as good as they can for the 3DS and it never looks bad. The animations can look silly or exaggerated at times but it's mostly in service of looking adorable. There's also a lot of different animations, including fully animated dance numbers to go along with the songs in the game. On an unrelated note- it is a very British localization, not a bad thing necessarily but American players may find themselves scratching their heads at some of the words and expressions used, along with your normal color/colour differences.    … Full Review »
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