Gamertell

When a game for girls is released, especially if it has a title that could be considered cute or an attempt to be overly feminine, it is often dismissed by the gaming masses as something for children. Or, even worse, it could be slapped with the “shovelware” moniker.

The Clique: Diss and Make Up, also known as Teen Queen: The Clique in Europe and other regions, isn’t one of those games.

Yes, it does have a cute title designed to attract female players. And true, there is a pastel color scheme used throughout the game. But this title from Gorilla Systems and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment that’s coming out August 25, 2009 in the US isn’t just for kids, and definitely isn’t shaping up to become “shovelware.”

The best thing to do is first go back to the origins of the game. The idea didn’t just appear out of nowhere, after all. The game is based on Lisi Harrison’s series of books known as The Clique. There are 11 novels in the main series (with two more on the way!), and The Clique Summer Collection, five shorter novels released in 2008,, which focuses on the summer vacations of the five main characters Massie, Claire, Dylan, Alicia and Kristen.

The series themselves are designed for young adults, but specifically target female readers between the ages of 12 and 16. They focus on the adventures of a young girl named Claire, who moves to Westchester, New York and is immediately placed into a private school for girls called Octavian Country Day School, where all of the students are primarily rich, and possibly even famous. Claire isn’t either of those things, but she attempts to succeed and find friendship with member’s of the school’s primary clique, The Pretty Committee, whose leader is the daughter of her father’s close friend. They offer a brief glimpse at the life of the rich and famous through the eyes of a girl who hasn’t had the chance or opportunity to experience such things, and also shows the impact Claire has on the group and what clique behavior can be like.

After the first installment in the series, called simply The Clique, the book series goes on to show what Claire’s new life is like among the popular kids, and the struggles that young girls go through in an attempt to reach perfection and stay popular. Typically, Claire acts as a center and voice of reason for the group, which suffers multiple downfalls and triumphs as the group, and each of its members, attempts to find the greatest success. And, while the goal of all the girls in the novel is to maintain this exalted status, it almost appears as though Harrison is using the series to critique cliques and their actions, and possibly show young girls the effect their behavior can have on others.

The Clique: Diss and Make Up is a hybrid game, containing elements of both a simulation and RPG. It is also an original adventure based on the book series. Players create their own unique character, who then joins the ranks of Octavian Country Day School. Players can customize their character’s looks completely, from clothing to hair. Of course to do that, they’ll need money. This is earned by finding a job after school, and based on your success while playing the job mini-game, you’ll earn the money you need to make your character look better and perhaps even improve your character’s reputation.

The overall goal of the game is to build popularity, and then find a way to maintain that popularity and your position. Initially, you’ll be a nobody, much like Claire in the original The Clique books. However, as you talk with other students to aquire gossip, develop your social skills and make friends with other members of the student body, you will gradually become a noted individual. Once you’re smart, savvy and stylish enough, you’ll be able to become a member of the Pretty Committee. That isn’t the end though, if you work hard enough, you could even replace Massie as the head of the Pretty Committee.

An interesting surprise is that a multiplayer feature is going to be included in the title. The thing is, you’ll need to have friends nearby with the game to use it, as it doesn’t make use of the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. You can trade your original game avatar with your friends, and when you do you’ll get new gossip in your game that can be used in your quest to become popular.

While it won’t appeal to everyone, it’s looking very likely that The Clique: Diss and Make Up could be shaping up to be the sort of game girl gamers, and maybe even woman gamers, will enjoy. I know I’d be willing to give it a try.

The Clique: Diss and Make Up debuts this month in North America and will cost $29.99. It’ll appear in other regions shortly thereafter.

Read [The Clique Updates] Site [Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment]

Check out the gallery: The Clique: Diss and Make Up