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Format:
DS
Genre:
Minigames
Further reading:
Mini games
Buy/Support:
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My Make Up is one of the Oxygen My games that provides make-up themed drawing games. It not only enables players to learn the rudimentaries of makeup application, but also lets them take photo's of the results and tackle some more novel (face paint style) creations.
Mini games come in a variety of shapes and sizes. What unites the genre is the speed with which players can pickup the games and the relatively short time required to complete a level or two.
My Make Up manages to find a niche in the girl game market that is surprisingly untapped. As with other games in the series, it benefits from the familiarity that comes from a shared interface. It can also be used to chat to players with other games, which is a nice touch when siblings have either My Secret Diary DS or My Dress Up DS.
Generally, the My games series from Oxygen Games take a different route to Ubisoft's Imagine series. The focus here is on familiarity rather than novelty. Their games each have a similar look and can all talk to each other. Not only does this enable siblings to play together regardless of which game they have - but it introduces some nice cross overs like importing a My Make Up face onto a My Dress Up model.
Each mini game provides a nice range of colours, fabrics and applications to create a basic application. This is then extended by the ability of the player to blur and smooth the colours and lines with their finger. Add this to the ability to mirror a design from one side of the face to the other and you have a great kit bag for some impressive creations.
Although the focus is kept to face makeup, the game really enables players to be very creative and to some extent it functions much like a tradition drawing game. This is seen in some of the more face paint inspired creations that players are asked to create.
This game will undoubtedly attract younger girl gamers keen to try their hand at applying makeup. The simple ability to play with blusher, eye liner and the other paraphernalia out of reach on a parent's dressing table is an attractive proposition.
The game takes a little while to learn, particularly if you have not used a computer paint package. Once the basic set of controls has been mastered, games last as long as you like. You can quickly apply a rough covering of makeup, or (more likely) you can fiddle for hours to get that perfect look.
Very young players will struggle with some of the more intricate controls. That said, the game doesn't insist that players draw very accurately - enabling progression more through volume than performance.
Intermediate and older players may find the game a little limiting - but this as much testament to the flexibility of the controls as it is the game's tight remit. They could quite easily repackage the game as My Drawing by relaxing the restrictions on what and where you can draw.
Expert may need to look elsewhere for their dress up needs. Although many will poo poo the childish nature of the game - it's not a million miles removed from painting your car in Forza 2 360.
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Andy Robertson writes the Family Gamer column.
"Videogame reviews for the whole family, not just the kids. I dig out videogame experiences to intrigue and interest grownups and children. This is post-hardcore gaming where accessibility, emotion and storytelling are as important as realism, explosions and bravado."
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