Boasting over 3 billion visits, Dress to Impress (DTI) is one of the hottest Roblox games among gamers of all ages this past sea- son. From niche, game-specific video essays to big-name content creators, one is bound to stumble upon the sparkly pink runway if they spend their fair share of time on social media.
DTI is one of the many featured online games on Roblox, a virtual game platform that allows users to create and play games made by themselves or other developers.
Each round lasts five minutes, where one of over 300 themes is randomly selected for players to create the best outfit. Once the time is up, judging starts. Each user gets a chance to walk down the runway in poses of their choosing while the rest rate their outfit on a scale of 5 stars. The top three get a place on the podium.
The selection of bottoms, tops, accessories, and make-up is seemingly endless as constant updates are released relating to holidays, seasons, or emerging pop trends. These events have a limited runtime that creates a sense of urgency for players to complete them before they are gone.
Personally, I found the overall experience playing slightly over- whelming as a newcomer. The amount of clothing options, short timer, and judging process gaveme more anxiety than enjoyment. The fun starts when you get the hang of it. The game has a free play option for those who want to practice without the loom of a ticking timer, but the new updates were slow to come in.
Users have the option to pay for items with real money, or more popularly, the VIP pass, which gives access to certain items, servers, and an overall easier time with themes.
Criticisms regarding the VIP paywall come from both sides. Some who purchased the pass think the perks do not live up to the $10 price tag, which is on the pricier side compared to other Roblox games. VIPs also often face unfairness in voting from bitter nonusers. Conversely, those without the pass complain that VIP users pay their way into winning.
Another common critique is the lack of body diversity. DTI’s avatar is much different from the default Roblox block model, displaying a hyper-exaggerated depiction of the conventionally ideal female
figure. However, the developers have been working on new plus-size models.
Making a new model requires the creation of a brand-new ward-robe, but many players, including myself, would like to see the expansion of the existing male wardrobe. Most items are designed for the female avatar and can not beworn by the male model, even if it is as simple as a pair of gloves. Some players have circumvented the small wardrobe by finding game bugs to wear female assets.
Despite its faults, the game features its own extensive background story. If you explore the nail boutique, you can find traces of Lana, a non-playable character who haunts the background of the main game through pictures and diary entries. The player may investigate her disappearance by visiting miniature games outside of the main game containing cryptic codes, videos, and messages. The horror aspect and visual contrast the lightheartedness of the game and gives it a unique allure. Curious about Lana? Play it for yourself!
DTI’s appeal to a wide audience is its biggest strength, but it has caused fans from differing bubbles to clash. Teens and young adults complain that the experience is ruined by hateful messages, unfair voting, and outfits copied by young users. As crude as the kids may be, I have seen messages just as unfriendly, if not worse, come from grown adults. While conflicts don’t always occur, it certainly spoils the fun.
However many downsides there may be, DTI remains a game for people of all ages to express their inner fashionista. Even if you’re not one on the outside, you can surely be one in Dress to Impress.