So... sorry but... what is this? I've seen the box art plenty of times but I still don't understand what it actually is... just a photo collection of the idols?
It's not a... game... specifically. I suppose one could call it more of a supportive... um... release? Sure, sounds fine. It's time to take pictures for promotional uses, or so that's the premise anyhow. Each volume represents one of the nine usually selectable idols in the regular mode of gameplay from iDOLM@STER 2. Choose an idol (utilizing the same interface as, again, iDOLM@STER 2) and off you go. Each volume has an optional story segment by the idol on the cover. No choices to be made, just dialogue between the idol and Producer.
The player takes control of the camera. The player can zoom in or out, adjust lens focus from foreground to background, tilt the camera from a portrait up to a landscape orientation, and (from volume #5 and onwards) add a vignetting effect to the images. The player makes "requests" to the idol subject, and they'll respond in some fashion. These requests vary from they style of pose you want them to make, to switching their expression, as well as asking them to get up or down from the floor. The player can also leave the poses up to the idol as well.
Each idol has a specific pose that only they do, and not all of the idols will use every pose from the repertoire available. They also have moods that change while taking pictures. Iori, for example, may start out self-centered and enthusiastic, or she may be unsure and embarrassed. This can go one way or another while taking pictures, as well as opening up another set of expressions that can be requested. Requesting for them to get down is not available for every outfit, mostly only for form fitting outfits (such as the swimsuit variants, pajamas, and t-shirt/bloomers combo). The winter casual (Volume 3), wedding dress (Volume 8), and yukata (Volume 9) outfits have a different pose set from the usual.
Holy yar this is turning into an essay for a not-quite-a-game game. The pictures are saved to the PS3's memory and can be transferred off via USB connection in 1280x720 resolution (regardless of the PS3's display resolution). From volume 5 onward the idols will leave "comments" on the images on the PS3, though I do not believe these comments transfer off of the console. From volume 5 onwards the controller itself can be used to tilt the camera from side to side via a menu option. Each volume comes with a DJ mix of songs centered towards the cover idol. The player can choose what BGM tracks are available to use during the photo session in the main menu (the mixes themselves count as one track).
Yikes... last bit, I promise. Each volume has extras in the "Special Contents" section. This is where to access Volume 5's cat ears mode, Volume 6's normal fangless mode, and Volume 7's Ai. Volume 8 will have Eri and Volume 9 will have Ryo available in this fashion.
For something so simple... it really isn't easy to explain in a few words I suppose. There are "game" elements to it, but I wouldn't exactly call it a "game" proper whatsoever. There are trophies though, so if that's your thing... it's good that way.
