New Style Boutique 3: Styling Star - Demo Overview

A demo of New Style Boutique 3: Styling Star was released on the European and Australian eShop on October 19th. It is available for download for 3DS and 2DS models and shows a glimpse of what's to expect in the new game. The demo takes you through the early stages of the game and details the basic mechanics of the game. Not all features of the game are available in the demo. This guide will detail the demo and any new features that will be included in New Style Boutique 3. The demo can be played 30 times and your progress cannot be saved.

Start up the demo and you will be greeted by a menu screen. Select new game to get started! First you will need to choose the appearance of your character. There is a wide range of facial and body features to choose from to make your character unique. More styles and colours can be unlocked in the game to use such as eye colour and hairstyles. The categories available for customisation include:

• Face Shape = 3 styles
• Eye Shape = 20 styles (20 for single or 20 double eyelid)
• Eye Colour = 5 colours
• Eyebrow Shape = 18 styles
• Mouth Shape = 13 styles
• Mole Placement = 7 styles
• Freckles = 2 (No freckles or freckles around the nose area)
• Hairstyle = 10 styles (includes short, medium, long and up-do styles)
• Hair Colour = 5 colours
• Skin Tone = 8 shades
• Height = Short, Medium or Tall
• Favourite Clothes = Girly, Lively, Cool or Rock

The game adds a new feature to have single or double eyelids.

Overview of customisation options.

After you've decided on your characters look, the game begins! You will be greeted by a character called Tim who is your uncle. He runs a boutique that he is handling over to you to run. A girl named Abigail enters the boutique looking for a top she ordered. Tim suggests you pick out an item for Abigail. Next the game goes over the basic mechanics of choosing items and gives you two options to pick from for a top. Choose the AZ-USA branded top as Abigail's style is the bold/cool style and this brand matches that style. Abigail will try on her new top and it looks like she is happy with it. She will pay you for the top and you will see a contact card appear on the bottom screen. These are similar to the customer cards from New Style Boutique (Style Savvy 2) which listed information about the customer and showed the amount of stamps they had earned shopping at the boutique. More information about contact cards will appear later in the guide.

Customer Contact Card

After this Tim will talk about handling over the boutique to you and how he is looking forward to going on a journey of discovery. He will talk about how much your character loves fashion and that you were meant to run this boutique. Next you will be given the option to choose an assistant for the boutique. There are six options to choose from, 3 girls and 3 boys. Choose carefully as you cannot change your pick after you have chosen (If you start playing the demo another time, you can choose a different one). No confirmation on whether you can swap them around like you could in New Style Boutique. The characters available to choose for the assistant includes:

• Xin - Wears basic clothing
• Sylvia - Wears feminine clothing
• Hannah - Wears lively clothing
• Ken - Wears basic clothing
• Archie - Wears bold clothing
• Rahil - Wears chic clothing

Xin's Profile

Archie's Profile

Tim will now talk to you about the contacts app which can be found from the phone menu screen. It details each characters job, hobby, some brief information about them and the number of hearts earned. Hearts detail how close of a relationship you have to that character. The more hearts you have with the character, the more invitations options that will be available when sending them messages using the messaging function. Now you need to pick a name for your boutique and the demo will inform you it cannot be changed once set. In the full game, you should be able to change the boutique name. 

After this, Tim will tell you to head off to your apartment. The game will bring up a new feature which shows your profit and activity for the day. It will show a photo that you took that day, sales earned, stylist points and stylist rank. Your stylist rank increases when you serve customers at the boutique and other possibly other locations such as the beautician.

Overview of the day.

Style Boutique 3 has brought back the day/night cycle which was last seen in the original New Style Boutique (the first one of the 3DS). Style Boutique 2 worked off the 3DS clock, but the demo shows the new game will operate off an in-game clock. Time moved quite quick for myself in the demo, one day passed by in about 5 minutes. Hopefully they will be longer and the game provides enough content to be completed each day. I often found in New Style Boutique that I would run out of things to do each day and constantly had to move to the next day.

The clock is displayed in the left hand corner.

Head to your apartment and the game will inform you that you can now change your outfit, make-up and nails. It instructs you to use the Y button to take photos and up to 20 photos can be stored in the demo. The wardrobe operates the same way as previous games. It details all the items you own and they can be sorted using the search function by things such as image, type, brand, colour, pattern and price. Only a selected range of outfits are available in the demo. You will notice new categories have been added such as watches/bracelets and headphones. Earrings has been moved into its own category and has been separated from glasses/props. Nearly all the brands that appeared in Style Boutique 2 will be appearing in Style Boutique 3. The only brand not confirmed is the sporty brand Streetflow (Upbeat in Girls Mode 3). This brand was not shown in the demo or in any gameplay footage. A list of confirmed brands can be found here. The categories available in Style Boutique 3 include:

• Inners
• Tops
• Outers
• Trousers
• Skirts
• Dresses
• Socks
• Shoes
• Leg warmers
• Gloves
• Watches/Bracelets
• Bags
• Headphones
• Necklaces
• Scarves
• Earrings
• Glasses/Props
• Headwear

Headphone items available in the game (Girls Mode 4 shown)

Watches & bracelet items available in the game (Girls Mode 4 shown)

The make-up option has a new layout in Style Boutique 3. Make-up sets are listed under a category alongside all the usual make-up options. Three make-up sets are available in the demo: Dreamy heart, Summer Leaf and Gothic Mist. No information on whether make-up sets will need to unlocked like in Style Boutique 2. The layout is quite different to the previous game with little palettes shown on the side and swatches shown for the colours. A number of colours are available in the demo, but no information on whether colours will need to be located like in the previous game. They may be automatically unlocked like in Style Boutique which has a similar layout to the new game. The make-up categories available include:

• Make-up Sets
• Eyebrows
• Eyeshadow
• Eyeliner
• Mascara
• Coloured contacts
• Blusher
• Lipstick

Dreamy Heart Make-up Set.

Layout of the make-up set category.

New layout for make-up categories.

Nails are an exciting new feature to the game and there is a wide range available. The colurs and designs are pre-made in the game and there currently is no option to make your own designs. The nail art designs are separated into different categories based off the style images in the game. Only basic, rock and girly are available in the demo and there are a range in each category available in different colours and patterns. The categories include:

• Basic
• Rock
• Eastern
• Preppy
• Gothic
• Chic
• Girly
• Psychedelic
• Boho-Chic
• Lively
• Bold
• Baby Doll
• Feminine

Nail art screen with preppy designs (Girls Mode 4 shown)

Example of the Cherry Snowflake (Girly) Design.

Select the phone icon to access the menu. Only a few options are available to use in the demo:

• Album - Photos taken in game which you can save as your phone wallpaper.
• Awards - A new feature that lists achievements you have earned in the game. You can pick one to display on your profile. There is a large amount to collect in the game
• Contacts - Contact cards of characters and customers you have encountered in the game. Access contact cards to see information about the character including details on all items and outfits sold to them through the boutique.
• To-Do List - Lists activities and events you need to complete in game. Similar to the schedule in the previous games.
• Share - Access the Nintendo 3DS Image Share feature and post images online. No multiplayer or connect features shown in the demo.
• Fashion 101 - Encyclopedia of fashion terms used in the game. Appeared in previous games.
• Electronic Manual - Read the game's manual.
• Wallpaper - Set the wallpaper for your phone from a variety of options.

Phone menu screen.

Awards can now be earned in the game!

Awards information screen.

Exit your apartment and you will notice some new locations have appeared on the city map. The map in Style Boutique 3 is quite different to Style Boutique 2 as it is all displayed on one area instead of separate ones (i.e. Cafetiere Close and Primrose Park). The map is similar to the one in Style Boutique where you just scrolled across to access locations. Only a few locations available at this stage of the demo:

• My Shop - The boutique that you manage and sell outfits to customers. There will be customisation options available in the full game to alter the interior and exterior appearance of your boutique.
• My Apartment - Change your make-up, wardrobe and nails from your apartment. This is where you sleep to move the game to the next day. You will be able to redecorate your apartment in this version (similar to Style Boutique) and the design function will be accessible from your apartment rather than the boutique in this game.
• Exhibition Hall - Purchase new items from a variety of brands to sell at your boutique. New brands will open up as you play the game and you will be able to receive recommendations on items from brand representatives. The exhibition hall is run by Niamh and is not available to use in the demo.
• Park - A quaint park situated in the city. Visit the park to meet Johann, a mysterious composer. You are unable to interact with Johann besides him telling you to leave him alone in the demo (he does appear later).
• NIN10 Productions - A local talent agency who will manage models and pop stars. The head of NIN10 has big ambitions for the city.

Map layout.

Exhibition Hall interior.

Interior of NIN10 with Janice.

Talk to Johann at the park.

Head over to your Shop (or Boutique) and you will be greeted by the assistant you hired. Next you'll see inside the boutique which the assistant thinks needs a bit of work. A customer will then enter the boutique named Audrey who is looking for Tim. A new feature has been added when talking to customers. You are now given conversation options when talking to customers (and characters) and the answer you pick will apparently affect the story line Nintendo stated in press releases. This ties into the whole pop star story that is the main focus of the game. Audrey will visit and request you choose a flowery patterned casual dress for her. On the bottom 3DS screen, you will see the options 'No Problem' or 'Check Stock'. Check stock is a new feature that allows you to check your stock before agreeing to serve the customer. This will prevent you for agreeing to give say a chic dress to them even though you have none in stock. You cannot complete the request from the Check Stock screen, you need to exit out and select No Problem. Use the search feature to select flowery for the pattern and casual dress for the type. Two options should appear from Marzipan Sky and you can select either. Select 'Take A Look' to let Audrey try it on. The option that allows you to suggest items/outfits with confidence called 'Try It On' will become available later on in the demo/game. After this, Audrey will pay you for the outfit and her contact card will appear on the screen. Her hearts will level up and your character will then wish her farewell. The game will show your stylist rank increasing. 

Another customer will appear and she will request a watch which is a new item in the game. The game will provide you with two options: 'Care for some help' or 'Please, take all the time you need'. I found no difference between the two and the customer will ask for assistance with whichever option you choose. Select a feminine style (Chorale is best) watch as that is the style the customer is wearing. 

Here the game is teaching you about new items included in the game.

You are now given conversation options when serving customers.

Next, Audrey will return asking for some girly style slip-ons. Marzipan Sky is a good brand to use as that is the girly brand of the game. The option to select Try It On is now available and only choose this if you are absolutely sure the customer will love the outfit. a short animation plays if the customer loves the outfit. There are a number of animations available for each style and Audrey will have the girly animation. 

One of the girly animations that appears with Try It On.

Another customer will enter the boutique looking for a complete outfit in a girly style. Note that she has a budget like each customer will and don't exceed this amount too much (in the previous game you could go over by about $80). Keep in mind which season the game is currently in as customers will want outfits to match the weather/temperature of the season. It can be difficult to remember which season it is as the game now runs off an in-game clock rather than the 3DS clock. I accidentally dressed her in a spring outfit the first time as it's currently spring in Australia and she rejected the outfit saying it was too cold for winter (the in-game clock was set to December which is winter).

This customer is requesting a complete girly outfit.

One of the girly animations that appears with Try It On.

After serving this customer, you will notice the sky change in the game and this means time is moving closer to night and it will soon be time to close up the boutique. Abigail has returned for more clothing items and this time it's a skirt in the colour black. Pick the black skirt from AZ-USA and if you select Try It On, you will be shown the animation for the bold style. Abigail is so happy with her skirt that she will ask you for black boots. Choose either of the two black AZ-USA ones that match the bold style as both are within her price range.

One of the bold animation that appears with Try It On.

Your assistant will now tell that work is done for the day and you can head back to your apartment. You now have the option to sleep which will move you onto the next day. This is the same feature that was used in Style Boutique. After selecting sleep, the game will bring up the screen that details the activities of the day including sales and points earned. The game will inform you on any new titles you have earned during the day.

Select Yes to progress to the next day.

The next day it seems some new characters have arrived. You will run into a girl called Rosie who just moved into the city from the countryside. She will ask you the name of the city and the game will give you the option to name the city. This is a new feature as previous games did not allow this and the city was named in the game, i.e. Bougainville in Style Boutique 2. Choose a good name as you are unable to change it once confirmed. When talking to Rosie, you will be given a few conversation options. These will affect the story and your relationship with her, so choose wisely. You will tell her you run a boutique as she will mention she is looking for new clothes and she will tell you she will visit soon.

Meeting Rosie.

The hair salon has opened up in city and is run by Cece. She will tell you that she is still working on opening up and to visit soon. The hair salon is not available to use in the demo version.

Meeting Cece.

Head back to your boutique to serve some more customers! The requests vary on what the customers are after, the first play through of the demo I got mainly feminine and girly outfits and the second I got rock and other styles. The demo will give you some new clothing items due to it being a new day. Some of the clothing items were included in the previous game and others are new designs and items. I gave a customer a rock outfit and the same animation played as the cool one, so it seems styles will share animations like in Style Boutique 2.

Picking out a rock outfit. The jacket is a new item not seen in the previous game.

Animation that appears with Try It On.

Rosie has come to visit the boutique and tells you about her dream to become a pop star. She has an audition lined up with NIN10 productions which is the local talent agency. She shows you flyer that details an audition for the next superstar. Ethan Quinn is shown as the head of the company and if you have talked to Oliver at NIN10, he mentions he knows him.

Rosie is requesting you pick out an outfit for her audition and wants something in a girly style. There is a wide range of items to choose from so have fun picking one out. Afterwards Rosie will tell you how she idolises a singer called Angelique. Rosie hints at that she was featured in an opening ceremony which is actually the games trailer. This confirms the name of the girl shown in the trailer but no information on whether she will appear in the game or not.

Choosing a girly outfit for Rosie. This dress is a new item to the game.

After serving Rosie, you just need to serve some more customers at the boutique. Keep serving customers to increase you stylist rank. Even if the bar maxes out, it will increase to the next level once you sleep for the day. I served a customer wanting a feminine outfit and got a new animation screen for the feminine style. Keep serving customers at the boutique and once it becomes night time, head to your apartment to sleep. Your progress for the day will be shown and your stylist rank should increase.

The feminine animation that appears for Try It On.

The next day, a new character arrives in city! When you exit your apartment, an icon for the beautician will appear on the city map. Head over there to meet Lorelei who runs the beautician. She will tell you that she isn't opened just yet but come back to visit. The beautician is not available to use in the demo version.

Meeting Lorelei.

Go to your boutique to be greeted by Rosie who has come to visit with Ethan from NIN10 productions. Ethan will comment on how he hopes you run the business better than Tim did. Ethan will talk about having big ambitions for the city and become a music city. he will then ask you to pick out an outfit for Rosie to wear for her debut performance. They will leave telling you to come to NIN10 which has a exclamation icon above it on the city map. 

Rosie and Ethan.

Talk to Janice the receptionist who will take you to see Rosie and Ethan. They will talk about a composer making two songs for Rosie and the composer is Johann who appears at the park. You will be given the option to pick out an outfit for Rosie in either a Rock or Girly style. After choosing an outfit, you can only choose the Try It On option. After this, Johann will pick the song based on the style you design the outfit around.

Now you'll be taken to the city square where Rosie is having her debut performance. She's a bit clumsy at first and performs the song Flying Shiny Day. Original songs have been written for the game and they have a j-pop feel to them. The game will then play the performance of the song which goes for about a minute.

Rosie performing her debut single.

At the end of the performance, the demo will end. Information about the game is displayed on screen. It lists that over 2,400 new items have been added to the game and over 20,000 items are available (there was 19,000 in Style Boutique 2). Men's fashion has returned in this installment and will be available at your boutique. The game tells you about the story line of making three girls pop star dreams come true. Information about the hair salon and beautician is listed stating you can work there. You are able to customise the interior and exterior of your boutique with more customisation option than the previous game. Information about online features is mentioned such as sharing your shop and designer items online for other players to buy with in game currency. You can also visit other players boutiques.  

The full game of New Style Boutique 3: Styling Star will be released in Europe and Australian on November 24th, 2017. Style Savvy: Styling Star was announced at the beginning of November and will be released on the North American eShop on December 25th 2017. It is only available as a digital release and no physical release date has been announced. The Japanese version of the game Girls Mode 4: Star☆Stylist (Girls Mode 4 スター☆スタイリスト) will be released in Japan on November 2nd, 2017. If you are thinking about importing the game from a different region to what you live in, keep in mind that the 3DS is region locked and the game will not work if you do not have the correct region 3DS. For example, Style Boutique will not work on a North American 3DS as the game is region locked to the PAL region of Europe and Australia.