Hairdresser Simulator
- March 6, 2024
- GameFormatic S.A.
- 6h median play time
Hairdresser Simulator is a single-player simulation game with lousy graphics and bugs, despite high system requirements. Create unique hairstyles using various techniques, experiment with colors, and meet customers' expectations. Additionally, try out different looks on your own photo within the game, making it a fun and creative experience.
Reviews
- The game has a unique concept and offers a wide variety of salon customization options.
- The hair physics are impressive, allowing for realistic interactions with hair during styling.
- The developers are responsive and have made efforts to fix bugs and improve the game since its release.
- The game is plagued by frequent crashes and bugs, making it nearly unplayable for many users.
- Graphics are subpar, with many characters appearing uncanny and hair textures looking unrealistic.
- There is a lack of a manual save feature, leading to significant loss of progress when crashes occur.
- graphics159 mentions
- 9 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many users describing them as subpar, glitchy, and reminiscent of early 2000s titles. While some players appreciate the hair physics and find the visuals acceptable for the game's genre, the overall consensus is that significant improvements are needed, particularly in character animations and texture quality. Despite the game's potential, many reviewers feel that the graphics detract from the overall experience and require urgent optimization.
“Great game, amazing graphics.”
“Its natural graphics are mesmerizing, transporting us to a realistic world full of details.”
“I have been looking forward to this game coming out and it did not disappoint, it's exactly like the videos you've seen; it's not next level graphics but they are perfect for the game and its intended demographic.”
“The graphics are probably the most disappointing aspect.”
“This game is tragic, running this with a high spec gaming rig with max graphics enabled and looks like a game from 2002.”
“When I tell you I waited months for this game just to be left with what feels like an unfinished game that has the graphics of an early 2000s game???”
- stability74 mentions
- 3 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 97 % negative mentions
The game is reported to be highly unstable, with numerous bugs and glitches affecting gameplay, including frequent freezes, crashes, and visual issues. While some players find the game enjoyable despite these problems, many express frustration over the lack of stability, particularly during critical moments like saving progress. Overall, the developers are acknowledged for their efforts in addressing these issues, but significant improvements are still needed for a smoother experience.
“This game is great, but when you load it, it freezes on the menu and takes a while to allow you to select any options. When you get to level 13 and own 3 to 4 salons, the game freezes when you save and doesn't respond properly. I had to hit the Windows key and click back on the game icon on the toolbar, then spam my escape key to get it responding. This needs a patch fix before any DLC expansion is attached, as it will cause more issues than the bugs already present.”
“After 20 hours from when it came out to now, with its constant freezes, broken gameplay, and so-so graphics for the amount of resources it demands, the game has stopped working altogether for me after the last patch, and I'm now fed up.”
“Game frequently crashes, freezes, and has customer issues that do not allow you to complete tasks.”
- gameplay72 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 75 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
Gameplay in this title is a mixed bag, with some players finding the core hair-styling mechanics engaging and fun, while others criticize the awkward controls, bugs, and repetitive nature of tasks. The hair physics and customization options are noted as unique features, but many reviewers express a desire for improved UI and overall gameplay polish. Despite its potential, the game suffers from technical issues that detract from the experience, leading to a call for further updates and refinements.
“Gameplay does what it needs to do - cut and interact with hair - and the hair itself looks good.”
“The gameplay is fun and addicting.”
“While there are some issues (bugs a plenty currently, such as error messages in Polish, floating items in reflections, and lack of eye color when loading a character), the gameplay itself is enjoyable.”
“But no, even the developers of this game seem to understand that the core mechanic, the hair-styling, looks and feels bad.”
“After 20 hours from when it came out to now (with its constant freezes, broken gameplay, and so-so graphics for the amount of resources it demands), the game has stopped working altogether for me after the last patch, and I'm now fed up.”
“Additionally, the hair physics are very weird and largely unpredictable, and some mechanics like the hairstyle creator are rather complicated, partially due to the hair physics.”
- optimization16 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is widely criticized, with many users noting that it "desperately needs optimization" and that performance can vary significantly due to an unoptimized engine. While some players report smooth performance at lower graphics settings, others experience issues such as bugs and poor controls, indicating a need for further improvements from the developers. Overall, the consensus is that the game requires significant optimization to enhance the user experience.
“The graphics are good if you put it at medium level, high performance and precision if you put it at maximum.”
“It runs smoothly and I love the independent aspect of doing what you want to!”
“The game desperately needs optimization.”
“It's not a very optimized engine, so performance mileage may vary.”
“Graphics are bad, controls are annoying, and the game is unbelievably poorly optimized.”
- story10 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The game's story is praised for being interesting, engaging, and well-paced, with unique and realistic narratives tied to various customers in each salon. However, some players noted that the story customer in the DLC is unplayable, which detracts from the overall experience.
“The story is interesting and engaging.”
“Unique & realistic, customizable, good story, well paced.”
“Some customers have a story about themselves.”
“The story customers in the DLC are unplayable.”
“Some customers have a story about themselves, but it's not enough to engage the player.”
“The narrative tied to each salon feels underdeveloped and lacks depth.”
- music8 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
Players have reported frequent music cutouts during gameplay, which can disrupt the experience. However, many find the existing music to be relaxing and enjoyable, contributing positively to the overall atmosphere. There is also a desire for the option to play new songs or music from the internet.
“I don't know if anyone else experiences this, but my music tends to cut out all the time in the game.”
“I want to play new music or songs from the internet.”
“I find the game to be pretty relaxing, though maybe that's because the music is really chill.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is derived from its absurd premise of bad haircuts and the ironic enjoyment players find in its unplayability, as reflected in the mixed reviews. Many users find it amusing that despite acknowledging the game's flaws, they still rate it positively, highlighting a comedic disconnect between expectations and reality. Overall, the humor seems to stem from the game's shortcomings rather than its intended comedic elements.
“I got this after my partner was looking around for relaxing simulators, and I thought it would be funny to mess with bad haircuts - and I was curious about the bad reviews.”
“I'd also urge you to read even the positive reviews that took this game from 'mostly negative' to 'mixed' - because it's almost hilarious how many are thumbs up while outright stating the game is unplayable, thus massively skewing the results... 'sure... take my money and give me an unplayable game.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Users express disappointment with the monetization strategy, feeling misled by the game's advertising that emphasized creativity, only to find it leans more towards management gameplay. The delayed release of promised features, such as beards and mustaches, has further fueled frustration regarding the game's monetization approach.
“I can't believe they only released beards and mustaches last week (6/30/2024) when that was a key part of the advertising. Before this game came out, I had the impression it was going to be creativity-driven, and instead it's more like a management game.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious and frustrating, particularly when it involves performing precise actions, such as cutting specific strands of hair, which can feel nearly impossible to execute correctly.