Running a barber shop could have been an ordinary simulation, as in most games; Beastfolk Barber, however, takes this idea and fills it with worldbuilding. The game's demo on Steam is promising for those seeking a title with serious themes behind a cute visual style. Although it first seems like "we just cut furry characters," within a few minutes you realize things are deeper than they appear.
Freddie's Extraordinary Barber Shop
In the game, we control a young woman named Freddie; a strange mirror left by her deceased friend is the shop's biggest secret. Thanks to this magical mirror, you can see customers' hairstyles in advance. However, you have only three preview rights for each cut. Therefore, communicating well with customers, understanding their expectations, and choosing the right style are of great importance. The shop opens only one day a week, which makes each customer feel valuable.
The real motivation is not ordinary commercial success: A mysterious demon offers Freddie a deal to keep her shop open. If you find ten regular customers by a certain date, the demon also provides an opportunity to undo a regret from Freddie's past. This bargain at the center of the story tasks the player not only with cutting hair but also with forming genuine bonds with the characters.
Not Just Haircuts: Deep Worldbuilding
The most important thing that sets Beastfolk Barber apart from its peers is that its world is thoughtfully designed. Beastfolk, that is, animal people, were once rare creatures, but now they have become ordinary residents of cities. Yet life is not equal for everyone. The game's first notable customer, a two-headed dragon, directly exposes this inequality.
Each head of the dragon has its own personality; however, according to the law, only one head is considered a "person," while the other is seen as an organ. This seemingly absurd detail forms one of the game's main themes: legal recognition of species. The two heads work for a senator and seek support for a bill that demands the age of majority be redefined for each species. Their haircut requests are just a side story to this larger political struggle.
Such a narrative can be read as an allegory for minority rights. It is still unclear how deep the developers will take this parallel, but the first impression suggests that effort is being made not to leave the subject on the surface.
Gameplay: Chatting, Previewing, and Minigames
The core game loop takes place in a Coffee Talk-like atmosphere: you chat with your customers, get to know them, and try to find the right idea for the cut. Conversations are important not only for taking orders but also for learning about characters' backgrounds and expectations. Each customer has a different reason, and these reasons are often more complex than they seem.
When it comes to the cutting itself, small minigames enter the picture. Tiny tasks requiring hand skills, such as cutting with scissors, shaving, and similar actions, make the game more interactive. Using your preview right correctly is key, especially with high-expectation customers. If you suggest the wrong model, the shop's reputation can also be damaged.
First Impressions: The Potential Behind the Cuteness
Beastfolk Barber's art style catches the eye at first glance. Pixel art characters and locations create a warm and inviting atmosphere. But serious themes immediately make themselves felt beneath this cute aesthetic. The game confidently states that it is much more than the idea of "cutting a furry's hair."
Of course, it's too early to say everything is perfect. Especially regarding minority representation, such fictional universes that don't directly reference real-world groups risk falling into certain narrative traps. But the demo already offers a world and characters strong enough to balance this risk. I'm curious to see how it will fulfill this promise when the full version is released. For players who love storytelling, adding it to their wishlist on Steam seems reasonable for now.
