Kim Kardashian Hollywood for Android Review

 

Welcome to Freemium Queen, where a new review of an Android game will appear every Friday. First up, we revisit the smash of summer 2014, Kim Kardashian Hollywood, which can be downloaded for Android here. The basic premise of the game is that Kim Kardashian West dashes into the shop where you work and begs for a dress for an event. You handle her request so well that she decides you’re her new protégé. From then on, you perform tasks given to you by Kim, your new manager and publicist, and various Kardashian relatives and hangers-on. The ultimate goal is to make it to the top of the A List, which you do by winning over fans (over 200 million of them). You do this by making appearances, performing on your reality show, dating and procreating, and even by buying new homes and clothing. 

 

The game is updated once a month by the developer, Glu Mobile, and players who let their games go dormant may have missed new cities and challenges.

 

The newest update includes partnerships with in-game brands that award K Stars and items. It remains to be seen how these partnerships will work, but there seem to be three tiers (bronze, silver, and gold), which can be achieved through working gigs or received in the daily gift box.

Players who have not downloaded the June update yet are missing some new features such as the ability to take your pet on the road with you, partnerships with in-game brands that award K stars and items, and reality show bits in which Kardashians, colleagues, and friends surprise you on the street with a camera crew. 

 

The June update also includes a collaboration with makeup brand NARS that enables your character to wear their makeup and promote their products at events. Changing your lipstick and eye shadow are usually free, but the NARS shades sell for 80-120 K Stars. This equates to roughly $8-12 US.

For the new player, learning the game is a snap. Most concepts are explained clearly. However, the locations are frequently omitted from the goal instructions and players may find themselves struggling to remember where there next gig is located. One thing new players should be aware of is that all challenges are timed, but purchasing items with gold star logos will allow the player to expend less energy.

   

Whether or not one is fan of the Kardashians is almost secondary to the enjoyment of the game. Sure, you frequently have to party with them or work for them or find their mom’s missing earrings, but their general presence isn’t too grating. The sole exception to this is Khloe, who frequently uses terms like “ratchet” and “ghetto,” and who keeps trying to use your character as a human shield when creepy guys are around. Seriously.

The game also gives you adversaries—Willow Pape, an actress who is a little more famous than you, and Chad Dylan Parker and Crystal Fletcher rival you when you’re in a couple. All three (and their media allies) can tweet mean things about you, causing you to lose fans. You and your romantic partner do not tweet and their status on the List does not change yours. The other NPCs you meet at clubs and bars do not tweet either, but are worth meeting. When you work a gig, you can call the NPCs who can help (stylists at fashion shows or pop singers at promotional appearances, for example). You can even meet agronomists and funeral directors, even though they can’t help you at gigs. Friends who play can also be used to help at appearances.

There are a few frustrating areas of the game, however. There has been an ongoing issue with adding friends through Google Plus, although this does not seem to affect Apple Game Center or Facebook players. Multiple ongoing goals and challenges can leave the casual player confused, especially when the goals are time-limited and disappear before all of the tasks can be performed. Finally, players must further their careers and date their partners daily, or find themselves single and losing fans.

In addition to working, players can throw parties where they invite up to two people they know. Unlike gigs, you can invite anyone you want to your parties. So call that funeral director! You may also call VIPs (like the Kardashians or Nene Leakes) for hangouts to help you earn prizes at future gigs.

 

 

Kim Kardashian Hollywood was a guilty pleasure when it first came out, and is worth revisiting as it nears its two year anniversary.

Kim K Hollywood at a Glance

Category: Adventure

Developer:  Glu Mobile

Is it worth playing? Yes, if you are able to check back in a few times during gigs.

What is the time commitment for this game? The game does not require much strategy and energy is disposed of fairly quickly. However, users who do not check in daily lose fans. If your character is in a relationship and does not date their partner daily, they will get dumped. This game is best for users who can check in multiple times per day.

How long does it take for free games/energy to refill? Five minutes per bolt, with five seconds shaved off the total every time you click a star, heart, XP coin, or dollar bill. There is an energy storage limit of 35.

How intrusive are the ads? Very. The app often shows ads when leaving a room or city, but will occasionally show ads at other times. Political ads are shown.

How is premium currency earned? Completing challenges and earning achievements bestow a small amount of K Stars. There is also a chance that the daily gift box or the slot machine in Las Vegas will give you K Stars. You can also earn K Stars by watching six ads per day, with one K Star awarded per advertisement. You may also earn currency by filling out surveys (note: the survey this reviewer took went through several pages before asking for credit card information for a free trial, which was not mentioned before that page), downloading other apps, and buying products.

Top tip: Save 120 K Stars for the private jet! The ability to fly around the world picking up energy can be a lifesaver during gigs and dates.

Does the game utilize Google Play Games? Yes

Does the game grant achievements? Yes

What permissions does the app ask?