The upcoming indie game Beastfolk Barber offers players a unique premise: manage a salon that opens only once a week, cater to a clientele of beastfolk, and fulfill requests from a demon. The game draws comparisons to titles like Coffee Talk, where player interaction and understanding customer needs are central to progression. Players step into the role of Freddie, the salon's manager, who uses a magical mirror to preview haircuts. However, each preview can only be shown three times, necessitating conversation with patrons to understand their desires and motivations.
Freddie's arrangement with a demon provides the game's central motivation. The demon tasks Freddie with securing ten regular customers by a specific date, after which the demon will grant a wish to undo a regret of Freddie's. This pact introduces a layer of urgency and consequence to the salon management gameplay.
Beyond the core mechanics of cutting hair and managing customer satisfaction, Beastfolk Barber delves into surprisingly thoughtful worldbuilding. The game's narrative explores the social integration of various beastfolk species, noting that while they are becoming more common, societal challenges persist. This is illustrated through the game's first customer, a two-headed dragon representing a couple working for a senator. Their primary concern is a proposed bill to alter the legal age of adulthood, which is currently based on human-centric standards. The dragon couple's arguments about the bill, even amidst their personal bickering, reflect serious political themes.
The game's presentation features attractive pixel art, adding to its appeal. While the demo has garnered interest for its blend of charming aesthetics and mature thematic exploration, the full game's success will depend on its ability to handle these complex parallels effectively, particularly its commentary on societal minority issues. Beastfolk Barber is available to wishlist on Steam.