Idol Manager

Idol Manager is a business simulation game where you run a small talent agency that grows bigger as you play more. Recruit young pop stars, build up their fan bases and make all kinds of tough business decisions to expand your agency and become as successful as can be. This game is very intricate and has been in development for many years now, so be sure to give it a go – I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

Your agency, your story

Idol Manager is a very narrative-driven game, with the story being told through a series of events and sub-stories during the game. Certain bigger events will be the same for everyone, but many events will only occur given the right conditions. This means that the choices you make will have an effect on the gameplay and what you experience, so think carefully about what you do. Don’t fret if things don’t go as well as you’d like the first time though, as you can very easily start up a new playthrough and have a completely different experience the second time around.

Expanding your agency

You start out with a relatively basic agency in Idol Manager, but as you progress the game and acquire more funds, you’ll be able to build new rooms and hire accompanying staff. Some of the new rooms available include dance studios, advanced recording booths, and even a doctor’s office to help keep your idols in good health. You’ll face plenty of challenges at first, but once your agency is built up, your idols are sure to be the best ones around.

The idols

You’ll encounter a wide variety of idols throughout the game, all of which have different traits and personalities for you to discover. Traits can be positive or negative, so make sure you’re aware of them and do your best to put your idols in situations where their traits won’t interfere with performance. For example, an idol with the lone wolf trait will do better in solo performances, so don’t make her sing in a group!

Every idol also has stats that can be boosted in many ways to maximize their potential in the entertainment industry. If you want to see a particular idol flourish in one area, you can boost specific stats and watch her shine!

Pros:

• High replayability thanks to the number of special events and substories that can’t all be seen in one playthrough
• A range of different idols to choose from when recruiting
• Plenty of features and variety in gameplay

Cons:

• Gameplay can be a bit confusing if you’re not used to management sims
• The game lacks male pop idols and focuses on female pop idols instead