Common Sense Media Review
By Christopher Healy
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Virtual dress up kit acts as gateway game to watching show.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
Project Runway
What's It About?
The season mode in PROJECT RUNWAY is meant to emulate the reality TV show the game is based on. In season mode, you'll go through a series of design challenges, in which you are given a very specific "recipe" to follow in creating a garment. You can then accessorize the outfit to your taste. You'll also follow a recipe for your model's hair and makeup. And then you'll play the part of the model as she walks the runway, using the Wii remotes (and balance board, if you've got one) to strike poses and walk in tempo with the music. Outside of season mode, you have complete freedom to design original outfits, hair-and-makeup combos, etc. Your custom looks can be used in modeling mini games.
Is It Any Good?
Outside of its season mode, Project Runway offers ample opportunities for real creativity. The options available in the "workroom" allow you to design innumerable fashions -- and you can easily spend hours doing so. You may wish you had that much freedom in the game's season mode, though, which has way too much handholding. Instead of just being told, "Design an outfit inspired by nature," you might be told to design a green, long-sleeved scoop neck dress with a daisy pattern on it. When your model is in the makeup chair, you'll be told exactly which colors of blush and lipstick to use. There are always a couple of things you can do that aren't specified exactly, but since your design is scored based on how well you match the recipe, the game doesn't grade your design sense so much as it does your ability to follow instructions.Thankfully, accessories allow you to personalize your outfits a lot more.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the types of clothes kids like to design with the game. Why do you choose certain styles, colors, or patterns? And while there are no avatars representing the players, you can choose which model you'd like to wear your designs. What makes you choose one model over another?
The judges can say negative comments about a contestant's designs at times; is this constructive in any way? Or simply discouraging?
Game Details
- Platform : Nintendo Wii
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Not available online
- Publisher : Atari
- Release date : March 2, 2010
- Genre : Girl
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : January 25, 2025
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