Barbie Project Friendship Review – Fun for Younger Gamers

Barbie Project Friendship is an adventure game developed by Xaloc Studios and Casual Brothers Ltd and published by Outright Games. The game launched on October 25 and immerses players in the vibrant world of Barbie. Aimed at a younger audience, this game combines simple fetch quests, quick-time events, and a variety of minigames to create an engaging and wholesome experience that my 7-year-old daughter delighted in playing.

The game is set in the iconic setting of Malibu, where the once-thriving Malibu Waves Community Centre needs restoration. Players take on the role of Malibu Barbie, Brooklyn Barbie, and her friends as they embark on a mission to revitalise the centre and making it a hub of joy for the community.

The story is straightforward and easy to follow with lengthy dialogue sections involving text messages on phones and then discussions between the Barbies and other townsfolk. I was watching over my daughter’s shoulder and the talking sequences seemed to go on a little too long in some parts as I could see she was fidgeting and just wanted to take control to explore Barbie’s world.

Barbie Project Friendship offers a variety of gameplay elements, including exploration, puzzle-solving, and mini-games. A controller is recommended to play the game though you can use mouse/keyboard on the Steam version. My daughter tried both but preferred the controller this time, and it was easy for her to pick up and play without any prompting from me.

The mini games were simple with tasks such as picking up trash and finding parts to repair bicycles and skates. There is also a game to make ice cream in the kitchen that reminded me of playing Overcooked. Some games also had actions timed with the music tracks which made them fun and engaging to complete. They are also a way to earn rewards for Barbie, such as clothing sets, and progress through the story.

In addition to playing solo, Barbie Project Friendship can be played cooperatively, allowing a second player to join in and assist with tasks. This can make some activities easier and more fun, especially the kitchen minigames.

The game world is replicated with bright and colourful visuals that perfectly captures the essence of Barbie. The character models and expressions are well-designed and recognisable, and the environments are detailed enough. There is also nice and cheerful background music that, coupled with the voice acting, adds to the overall light-hearted charm of the game.

Overall, Barbie Project Friendship is a fun and engaging adventure game for younger gamers who are interested exploring the world of Barbie. While adults will likely find the gameplay repetitive and simplistic, the intended audience like my daughter will adore every colourful location and minigame. If you’re looking for a feel-good adventure that promotes teamwork and friendship, Barbie Project Friendship is a great choice to play with your children.

This review utilised a Steam key provided by Swipe Right and Barbir Project Friendship is available now on Steam, Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch.

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