Investigating the Fascination of Generation Z with the Toxic Themes and Lana Stories in the Roblox Game, Dress To Impress
Roblox's Dress To Impress has become a sensation among players, offering a unique blend of fashion, social interaction, and captivating storytelling.
Originally a simple dress-up game, Dress To Impress has evolved into a complex narrative experience. The game's backstory revolves around a character named Lana, who is embroiled in mysterious elements such as cult-like groups known as "the basics." As players progress through quest chapters and cutscenes, they uncover increasingly elaborate lore, including summer vacations on yachts shrouded in strange fog and mysterious music in the distance.
The gameplay combines fashion and social competition with narrative quests. Players compete or cooperate in rounds where they dress up according to themes, filling a "party meter" by dancing on a dance floor to progress. Completing quests unlocks extra content and story, and choices during these quests lead to different endings, deepening the experience beyond just dress-up.
Puzzles also play a role in the game, such as the limited-time "Dress to Impress Flamethrower" item, which required players to find five emojis with associated numbers scattered in random locations and decode a personalized five-digit number to redeem the item.
Dress To Impress also boasts a lobby with sections for clothing, accessories, makeup, hairstyles, and nail art. Players can purchase custom themes with in-game currency called Robux. The game has been criticized for glorifying toxic body ideals among the younger generation, but it has also influenced real-life fashion and makeup trends, including exaggerated lashes and ombre lips.
The game has added Easter eggs with every update, masterfully engaging multiple generations by unpacking their unique zeitgeists. It has given rise to a genre of virtual influencers called 'DTInfluencers.' Iconic poses from the game, like 'Pose 28,' have been used by Gen Zers to mark personal milestones.
However, the game has not been without controversy. Some internet users have criticized male streamers like CaseOh for discrediting the female players who first streamed the game. The game has also been subjected to controversies surrounding its recent influx of male streamers like Kai Cenat and xQc.
Earlier this year, TikTok voice chat influencers like Aohi and Linkboii were prominent on Roblox. Despite these controversies, Dress To Impress continues to captivate players with its layered experience that goes well beyond a typical fashion game on Roblox.
In Dress To Impress, the gaming experience extends beyond a typical fashion game on Roblox, blending elements of social competition, captivating storytelling, and even puzzles, such as the limited-time "Dress to Impress Flamethrower" item. The engaging narrative, featuring a character named Lana and her entangled stories of cult-like groups and mystical events, adds another layer to the entertainment value of the game.
