Hairdresser Simulator lets you show off your creative side. This simple but oddly addictive title will appeal to beauty-loving gamers. Furthermore, if you love running a chain of salons, you won’t want to miss out. However, glitches, poor graphics, and a familiar gameplay loop prevent this from reaching its potential.
This simulation title was developed by Console Way and published by Frozen Way. It is a single-player experience that plays out from a first-person perspective. Each of the salons is unique, but the mechanics are sadly refined. This rudimentary gameplay is easy to master, but the lack of depth creates an unfortunate plateau effect. Accordingly, it outstays its welcome far too quickly.
Hairdresser Simulator: all hair and no pig tales (pigtails).
Simulation games and a flimsy plot are all too familiar. I often moan about the lack of a story; today is no different. Hairdresser Simulator lacks a central tale or an antagonist. Consequently, there is no sense of empathy and no hero to lean towards. However, there is career progression that helps fill this void. Disappointingly, though, the developer missed the opportunity to create a layer of fun or competition. As such, I was left wanting once I unlocked every skill.
The gameplay loop follows a simple pattern. You have 9 hours to cut, style, and blow dry as many heads of hair as you can. Once you hire some staff members, they will pick up the slack and the cash begins to roll in. This much-needed cash injection lets you invest in new salons and better employees. In return, you increase your cash flow and your decor. This simple pattern continues until you own 9 salons, and you have 27 competent hairdressers at your disposal. Moreover, you’ll unlock 11 hairdressing tools as you aim to become the next big thing.
Simple mechanics.
11 hairdressing tools sounds like a complicated affair. However, each task is simple to execute and many of the mechanics are undeniably refined. Straightening hair requires the downward flick of an analogue stick. Whereas curling hair needs an upward flick of the same analogue stick. Disappointingly, brushing hair and blow-drying are just as complicated. This lack of challenge paired with the rinse-and-repeat action defines the flow of the game.
Things aren’t always simple. Cutting hair requires more finesse and I sucked at this aspect. Leaving people with strange bobs and weird perms was my specialist area. I’m not sure if this was what the developer intended, but I chuckled as each customer left with an interesting and often lopsided haircut.
If you are not dealing with your customers, you are improving your salon. Placing decorations and improving your gear gives you some creative freedom. Furthermore, the better the gear, the more experience points you earn. Subsequently, investing in each salon is essential if you wish to improve your character and your reputation.
Hairdresser Simulator could have looked better.
I didn’t expect Hairdresser Simulator to be polished or to be next-gen. However, I also didn’t expect it to have terrible textures, repetitive character models, and so many visual issues. Unfortunately, the action is punctuated by strange colours, weird highlighting, and plenty of blocky moments. Thankfully, this doesn’t detract from the hairdressing elements. Additionally, the poor finish was hilarious.
The audio has a hotel lobby air to it. The upbeat but easily forgettable tracks are mindless but suitable. This was unfortunate but understandable. What stands out, though, is the accurate sound effects. I loved the buzz of the clippers and the crunch of each tool passing through the hair. What wasn’t great, however, were the annoying sound bites. Strangely, most of the characters shared the same voice and they said the same thing. This was ridiculous as it reduced the level of realism.
Decent controls.
Brushing, curling, straightening, and cutting hair are a precise art. As such, the controls had to be tight and easy to understand. Luckily, Hairdresser Simulator delivers with its simple layout and responsive inputs. Additionally, you can grab layers of hair and adjust each area to increase accuracy. This was fantastic as it helped you cut and sculpt each cut to the customer’s liking.
Though there are 9 salons to buy and a handful of unique customer stories to hear, the action is repetitive. The gameplay loop and mechanics do not offer enough to increase replay value or longevity. Subsequently, once you unlock everything, there is little reason to return.
Hairdresser Simulator will thrill you for a while.
If you love the idea of becoming a hairdresser, or you want a mindless experience, then this is the game for you. There is a smattering of depth, but most of the action is simple and easy to achieve. As such, this won’t test you. However, the amusing glitches and the chance to ruin people’s hair were too much to resist. As such, it was limited but fun, and I recommend buying it here! Will you run a hair-cutting empire? Learn the trade, upgrade your salon, and become the next big thing.
