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collide · 08-23-2003, 03:20 PM

Has anyone played Vib Ribbon? I'm pretty bummed that they're not releasing it in the States, but I've had the pleasure of playing this game, and I absolutely must have one for my own. Steve Webber does pretty a good job of reviewing the game (see below), as does the website.

Also, if anyone knows where I can hear/buy more of Laugh and Beats/Yoko Fujita's work, please tell me!

Quote:

Vib Ribbon
July 27, 2003
by Steve Webber <steve@gamingmaxx.com>
re: PSone Review Reply

The game industry sure is one full of contradictions. Gamers say they want original titles, and yet lap up another Final Fantasy sequel and EA Sports game like it was going out of style. Game companies also say they want original ideas, so when Masaya Matsuura, musical mastermind behind hits Parappa the Rapper and Um Jammer Lammy comes along with possibly his best idea yet, SCEA refuses to release it in North America as 'the graphics aren't good enough'. However, the same game is released in Europe because, apparently, European gamers are more forgiving and intelligent, despite the fact that game companies usually prefer to crap all over them (like the Dreamcast getting a slower modem in Europe). Why bother trying to explain it? It's about as hard as trying to explain Vib Ribbon.

Graphics
If you've been around, the first thing you'll say upon seeing the loading screen is 'LUNAR LANDER!' or 'BATTLEZONE!' or any number of vector graphic classics. Yes, kids, your Playstation's processor will be pushed to the minimum by the black and white wireframe graphics. This is 3D as it used to be. Your rabbity character, Vibri, is composed of some fairly basic geometric shapes, the most complex being her large eyes. This simplicity allows for some disturbing and fluid animation as she skips along the eponymous vib ribbon which... yep, is a single white line. The graphics get a low mark not because they are poor quality, but because they are so basic, and in today's gaming world graphics are everything (after all, all consoles are shown off with... yup, graphical demos). Besides, it was the graphics that got the game denied a US release.

Sound
Almost as if to make it up for the graphics, Vib Ribbon features what is without a doubt the most infectious, catchy game soundtrack EVER. Supplied by top insane Japanese band Laugh and Peace (yes, every other review has called them 'Laugh and Beats', even Sony, but they're ALL WRONG, only I cared enough to search Sony Music Japan's site... I'm just too good to you) featuring vocalist Yoko Fujita who actually manages to have a face cuter than her voice (Sony Music website again). People complain about how most music nowadays is just rotten crap (look at all the Limp Bizkit-alikes... or Limp Bizkit themselves) without realizing that a lot of Japanese music, though it may seem a bit cheesy and perky, is always incredibly creative and entertaining. How else would they sell all those game soundtrack CDs? Of course, if you don't like Laugh and Peace (Yoko-Chan cries at you!) then you can always stick your own CDs in... but more on that later. Vibri herself has a slightly deranged voice, which adds to the insane atmosphere the game creates.

Gameplay
The game is incredibly simple. Vibri skips merrily along the ribbon, and the music causes obstacles to be generated: pits, walls, loops, and... er... squiggles. By pushing the corresponding button (yes, there are only four controls) at the right time Vibri will leap/vault/spin/roll past the obstacle. That's the basic concept. To add to the challenge, often the obstacles will combine required you to determine which two obstacles have been combined, and press both appropriate buttons to safely pass. If you fail, Vibri gets hurt. Get hurt 9 consecutive times, and Vibri devolves into a frog. Mess up bad again, and Vibri devolves into an 'insect' which looks like a radio crawling along on its power cord. Any further mistakes and it's Game Over. Thankfully, though, Vibri can also evolve back by scoring 12 successful consecutive obstacles. Manage to get twelve as rabbit Vibri, and you become Magical Princess Vibri and start racking up serious points. Even the points meter is cool, represented by a swirling mass of shapes which morph to represent your score.

But what about sticking my own CDs in, you shout? Well, given that the ribbon's obstacles are generated on the fly based on the music, you can stick your own music in to see what sort of insane challenges will be created! Do you have the reflexes to do a huge series of rapidly approaching obstacles from a trance song, or the dexterity to negotiate a wider variety of challenges from an alternative track? It also removes any opportunity to complain about the game music, since you chose it.

Lastability
In addition to three two-song difficulty levels for the Laugh and Peace music, you can also perform a 'Speed round' where you attempt to get as far along the ribbon before time runs out, or even take on every single track on one of your CDs. This makes Vib Ribbon an excellent party game, since people can play and have fun without the TV drowning out the stereo. Heck, if you want to do something with your music other than just sitting there watching the little bars rise and fall on your CD player, Vib Ribbon is great.

The Final Word
You've never played anything quite like Vib Ribbon. Yes, a cliche, but it's true... Vib Ribbon is truly without peer on the Playstation. It might not have the appeal of Parappa and Lammy, or the flash of Space Channel 5, or the big artists of Dance Dance Revolution, or... oh, screw it. It's excellent. Enjoy.