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?
