Barbie Horse Trails Review (Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Switch & PC)

I take a game like Barbie Horse Trails with a pinch of salt, similar to how I approach a stable with the notion that, while I am likely to see some beautiful breeds and a few well-groomed manes, I’m also likely to get a well-placed hoof to the forehead. For the record, I am not a small part of the target demographic here, and I am definitely not an advocate for stallion culture or all things hot pink and flushed in bleach blonde. Heck, I can’t even say that I’m the biggest supporter of Barbie or the bubblegum aesthetics. However, I tend to stroll into annoyingly simple open-world games like Horse Trails with a false sense of optimism—a feeling that is often waxed by a sudden desire to inject nostalgia into my bloodstream. I can’t say that I want to knock at the stable door, but I do enjoy the idea of peeking through the window. Call it a brief spell of curiosity, I guess.

As the saying goes: you shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth. But, to be honest, Horse Trails isn’t the gift that you want it to be. Or at least, it isn’t the sort of game that will get your blood pumping and your make-believe mane galloping to the rhythm of a rapid drum. If anything, it’s a nostalgic canter through the woods—a peaceful adventure that, while still about as basic as video games come, can often remind you to appreciate the simple things—the easy-to-reach gifts and the simple pats on the back that you receive from simply existing in a world that idolizes your helmet. If, however, you’re expecting a wild ride into the depths of a compelling  horse flick, then you should probably park this pony at the stable. Oh, Barbie isn’t the sort of game to elevate your horse power, though it is one that ought to make you feel good about yourself.

If you’re a fan of Barbie, then you’re likely to find a great experience with a lot of Easter Eggs and nods to Horse Adventures here. But, if you’re unfamiliar with stints similar to this, then Horse Trails might not be the captivating fodder that you need to illuminate your soul. Why? Well because, like those that have popped their heads out of the stables before—Trolls: Remix Rescue, My Friend Peppa Pig, and Ben 10, for example—most of what you see here is the same old cookie cutter jargon. There are fetch quests to embark on, characters to wax “poetic” with, and of course, some horses to tailor and customize with the usual glitzy doohickeys of a Barbie-oriented world. Oh, and not to mention an “open-world” park to explore. But, that’s about it.

Suffice it to say that, if you are in the mood for a game that is challenging, then you should switch lanes and search for another track to wrangle your ponies. As the title implies, the game is mostly reliant on simple mechanics and even simpler objectives, like traveling to speak with one person, and then heading out to speak to another person. Between fetch quests like these you have a fair share of mini-games to bury your head in—button-tapping activities, for the most part, that primarily consist of grooming your horse with various tools, and occasionally equipping them with all sorts of brightly colored accessories and what have you. Simple tasks, and frankly, tasks that almost anyone can accomplish without having to lift a second finger. But again, I think that’s sort of the point.

To give credit where it’s rightfully due, Barbie Horse Trails is a solid entry-level game. Granted, it isn’t for the seasoned player, nor is it for the competitive spirit who thrives on high-stakes gameplay. But, for those who enjoy the laid-back journey and the experience of galloping back and forth between checklists, there is a good amount to carve into here. What’s more, as it is incredibly simple to navigate, you don’t really need a wealth of experience to understand how it all works. Frankly, you don’t even need a second hand, nor two flexible thumbs, for that matter.

Evidently, Barbie Horse Trails boasts an adequately sized catalog of horse-related activities, and it also comes clean with some extracurricular bits and pieces to help keep you busy, too. Photo opportunities, for example, are available to keep you on your toes and aimlessly exploring the far reaches of the park. To add, you have ceramics to unearth and a selection of loot-filled treasure chests to discover, all of which aid your quest to embellish Lucky (your horse, of course) with all sorts of sparkling cosmetics. And so, while the gameplay itself might be tediously simple here, Horse Trails does feature a sizable checklist to work on. The question is, does a surplus of content make it worth the investment?

Verdict

Fans of the ever-famous Barbie universe and all of its candy-coated glitz and glamor are likely to enjoy galloping around the trademarked pink and bleach blonde haven of Canterbury Trails Park. For frequent gamers who enjoy challenging escapades, however, it isn’t quite as likely to appeal as a fitting candidate in the open-world adventure field. But then, it’s Barbie — it doesn’t take much to figure that out.

With all of the above said, Barbie Horse Trails is still a great choice for younger players who simply want to learn the fundamentals and earn a few rewards along the way. With controls that are both simplified and openly transparent, the odds of struggling to find a solution for just about any issue here are slim to non-existent. But of course, that’s a Barbie game for you, in a nutshell. It’s basic, but not to the point where it lacks all manner of detail or emotion. Is it the best game you’ll pick up this year? Absolutely not, no. Though, it is one that you’ll enjoy taking the reins of and rolling with for an hour or two between strenuous tasks elsewhere.