I’m pretty convinced that there must be a textbook on making time management games out there. Many studios seem to be developing games of this genre with stunning similarities. Spa Mania is among the ranks, sharing many of the same good qualities, like a functional mechanic and a fair gameplay style, which results in a pleasant little game, although done seemingly by the book.

Thematically there are quite a few interesting elements worth noting. The game may be about spas and relaxation, but Blue Lizard Games doesn’t just stop at the Zen and New Age references. There are a fair number of modern concepts brought into the game: the story touches on animal rights activism for example, and your clientele includes hippies and metrosexuals. An odd blend of culture, some may find, but still believable enough to spice the setting up a bit.

Playing the game involves providing your customers with the spa treatments they request. Interestingly, coming through the front door is as much independent walking as they’ll do. It is a spa after all, and you’re expected to pamper them, and so part of that involves bringing (or dragging, rather) them around the various facilities you have to offer with the mouse button held down. This manual moving of your customers may seem a little tedious initially, especially if you’re used to time management games that work on a simple point-and-click control scheme, but it does have its own manner of fun and challenge altogether. Also, some of your tools, like the facial product bottles, are placed rather close together, so precise clicking becomes important if you’re to do well in the game. The days end quite quickly as well, and because you’re dealing with only ten customers or thereabout each level, the game doesn’t leave much room for error.

Still, Spa Mania does offer a good amount of variety. You’ll be traveling across ten different countries to manage different spas, each with their own exotically beautiful atmosphere, and conveniently designed minigame. As you play further into the game, you’ll also unlock new clothes that you may dress your character up with.

While the artwork is clean, lovely and appropriate, the characters do appear a little stiff. In fact, the facial expressions on your customers hardly change. A bright smile shows up only if you make them extremely happy, but otherwise, most of them appear grumpy most of the time. You see, I can understand if they come in frustrated. However, when the game still displays that very same sulky face after working hard to give them a great massage and chocolate facial treatment (and you know you’ve done a fair job because their mood indicators don’t show a negative drop), it can be quite disheartening.

There may be nothing exceptionally special about it, but Spa Mania is nonetheless a pretty nifty little time-management game, that works well and can be rather fun to play. If you’re new to this genre, I’d suggest you give this game a shot.

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(5 votes, average: 4 out of 5)

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