Fabstyle

FabStyle is a Simulation game developed and published by Koei Tecmo Games for the  Nintendo 3DS. It was released exclusively in Japan on November 24, 2011, and was translated to English by RocketRobz. FabStyle is a fashion retail simulation game primarily designed to appeal to a young female audience. It is the third fully 3D game developed by Ruby Party and their first IP to not be given the Neoromance series labeling. The game’s overall theme is to “live a wonderful life”; the common catchphrase for the game is “Fabulous!”

The game is set in Harbor City, a fictional city in Japan known for being a reputed base for the fashion industry. The protagonist is given her elder sister’s appeal shop to take her first steps into the business world. As the store’s new owner, she aspires to win the Platinum trophy in the Business Award competition held between the other executive branches of the city; winning the prize is considered a crowning achievement in the fashion business world.

While she competes with her business rivals, the protagonist juggles with whatever hurdles she encounters from her college education and love life. The Business Award is a four-year competition with each year representing one of the following stages: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. The protagonist has to meet a designated sales goal to be considered the winner for each level, and her progress in meeting said goal is judged each month. Once she wins her current level, she immediately proceeds forward to the next in consecutive order.

Her success for each level relies on her three personal stats: Marketing, Intelligence, and Allure. Marketing helps her recommend clothing to otherwise reticent buyers. Boosting Intelligence helps her pass her classes. Allure strengthens the first impression she makes on people. These stats can be increased naturally throughout the game and affect the attitudes her consumers will direct to her. FabStyle cycles through three phases in the game: Work Time, Free Time, and Monthly Evaluation.