Official Score
Overall - 60%
60%
Alice in Stardom is a lighthearted visual novel that will appear for those looking for something a bit more sugary. Don’t expect a big budget or a tome of text - rather, come in with an open mind and you’ll come out satisfied.
Crystal Game Works lets all would-be starlets shine with their new visual novel Alice in Stardom. Putting players in the shoes of an intern-turned-idol, does this title prove to be the next big sensation?
Alice in Stardom Review
The protagonist Alice Carroll begins this tale with humble beginnings. She’s working her butt off for the Supernova singing contest, and is looked down upon by the Director and others. Everything seems to be in the pits, until the host Jacques Bellevance takes a shine to her and has her enter the competition. From there, she is whisked away with three other girls to a mansion, and must compete against them to become the next pop sensation.
It’s a fluffy tale, one that focuses more on cute than depth. Players will get a chance to know more about rival singers Mary Viswanathan, Taylor Warren, and Raisa Cherenkov (also known as Cherry), but other than some brief exchanges regarding the drama in their lives, topics tend to skew on the side of light. Expect to hear about their love of animals, their history with the setup design at concerts, and other topics. Playthroughs may vary from person to person, but a bombshell that was drastically different from the rest of the game was dropped on us near the end that was a bit jarring. It’s not bad, but it struck a different tone – whether that matters is up to the player.
As they hang around their posh surroundings between competitions, players can learn about characters through brief interactions. The mall, makeup room, recording studio, and other locales can all be chosen from, and there are some choices that can be made when chatting with others. Don’t expect lengthy dialog trees, but a decent way to dive into certain subjects. It’s not the most robust system, but it’s welcome nonetheless.
When it’s time for Alice to perform, some player interaction is required. The lyrics appear on the screen, and players must click them in the order that they appear before they disappear. It’s pretty easy, but it adds a level of interactivity that is welcome.
Note that the art style present in this game will not appeal to everyone. Character designs are basic and get the job done, but some backgrounds are somewhat poorly drawn. In addition, the songs from the other singers are never played, and it is just glossed over. It’s not a deal breaker, but it doesn’t make for the most polished experience.
Those looking to rise the ranks and get to the top should expect to play Alice in Stardom for around an hour and a half. There are a handful of achievements tied to the story, so those looking to add something to their profile can most certainly do so here.
Alice in Stardom is a lighthearted visual novel that will appear for those looking for something a bit more sugary. Don’t expect a big budget or a tome of text – rather, come in with an open mind and you’ll come out satisfied.
