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Friday

Kim Kardashian: Hollywood iPhone Review

We've all had dreams of super-stardom, short-lived or not. That's why Kim Kardashian: Hollywood speaks to us on a personal level. On one hand, there's the impression that Glu Mobile wanted to do little more than create a simply cash-in for the reality TV star while involving her as little as possible. On the other, it's actually a fun and engaging adventure that, while rife with in-app purchases and bizarre design decisions, is genuinely rewarding to play.
 

The Good

Kim Kardashian: Hollywood plants you firmly in the shoes of an aspiring A-list celebrity who has to start from the very bottom to make his or her way to the top. This means coming from humble beginnings working at a clothing store to meeting Kim Kardashian herself during a chance encounter, then riding the star's coattails and becoming a rising star on your own merit. Completing actions is done with a simple tap, whether it's folding shirts at the day job, or posing for a photo shoot when you land your first job.
Performing tasks consumes energy, which is replenished via real-world cash, energy drops after completed actions, or by waiting for it to replenish. There's a wealth of customization options and additional clothing choices, and the networking and social elements are streamlined and engaging -- sometimes, downright hilarious given the bizarre Twitter-like commentary at some points.

The Bad

Depending on how you feel about Kim Kardashian, you may want to steer clear of the game given her involvement. Her in-game likeness is also attached to her voice, and you're basically living in Kim's shadow for the entire game. There's also a noticeable dearth of believability in the game -- obviously, you're not going to be scouted just because you gave Kim a new dress in a pinch. Additionally, it can be difficult to pick up the power-ups, cash, and other drops that scatter across the screen once you've completed a task. It can be frustrating, especially since they bounce just out of sight and every pick-up is precious.
While there are different tasks for you to complete, they do all end up feeling a lot like doing the same thing over and over, especially if you're stuck working at the day job or doing some work to raise money for headshots, or other "important" celebrity work.

The Verdict

Kim Kardashian: Hollywood is all the glitz and glamour of Hollyweird, but it all comes with a price if you want to advance quickly. It's just like real life in that way, but make no mistake that this effort from Glu Mobile is polished and enjoyable, even if you vehemently refuse to pay additional money.
Kim Kardashian: Hollywood is for iPhone, iPad, and Android.
3/5