Idol Manager

Sep 26, 2022

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Aug 3, 2021

Idol Manager really needs a console release - the scope and design of the game makes it perfect for the Nintendo Switch in particular - but in the meantime, I can see myself spending a lot of time playing this on the PC. I'm not the world's biggest fan of idols (at least, idols that aren't digital and with aquamarine twintail hair), but I do find the culture behind them fascinating to study. Idol Manager is a far more thoughtful take on all of this than I was expecting, and consequently, I've found the whole thing to be fascinating.

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Jul 27, 2021

There really is a lot to this game in the way of management and strategy, and you can tell the developers put a lot of time and effort into making sure you always have something to do. Idol Manager has the potential to become the game you ignore other new releases for, and if that doesn’t speak volumes about how good the game is, I don’t know what will. Pros: - There’s a lot to manage from songs to promotion to making sure the idols are well-rested and happy. - Thoughtful, intricate gameplay with a real emphasis on strategy. - The ability to easily sink hundreds of hours into this game. - Includes commentary on subjects and issues relevant to the idol industry from the cost of running a company like this to the extensive planning that gets put into each and every song. Cons: - You may need to create a new save if you make too many mistakes early on. - Too easy to go bankrupt, even on easier difficulty settings.

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Aug 24, 2022

While K-pop groups like Blackpink and BTS are credited with popularizing idols in the West, the concept of idols and idol culture originated in Japan and continues to thrive there. Idol Manager is all about creating the next big group to top the charts and sell out arenas while navigating the cutthroat Japanese idol scene. It’s a harsh but unrelenting look at all the behind-the-scenes work that it takes to make it to the world stage, and it’s an absolutely addicting (if not soul-crushing) experience. Idol Manager offers two modes: Story and Free Play.

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Aug 25, 2022

Idol Manager is a fascinating, tongue-in-cheek business sim with well-written visual novel aspects and plenty of scandals. It’s not for everyone, but for the right audience it’s a brilliantly crafted little gem that prods at the dark, seedy side of the idol scene, and challenges you with some tricky moral scenarios.

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