vib-ribbon (PlayStation)

CNET editors' rating: 3.5 stars Very good
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Overall score: 7.0 (3.5 stars)
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Gamespot editors' review

• Reviewed by: Jeff Gerstmann
• Reviewed on: 01/20/2000
• Updated on: 05/02/2000
• Released on: 12/09/1999

The world of import gaming is a very strange place. For the most part, the Japanese gaming scene remains pretty true to itself, pumping out many of the same games that domestic gamers will be playing a few months down the line, with a few token "weird" games, like dating simulations and esoteric strategy games based on semipopular anime. Then there are titles like vib-ribbon, which makes just about any other game seem completely mainstream by comparison. But while vib-ribbon's music-game stylings might not be for everyone, it manages to be the type of cult game that demands attention.

In vib-ribbon, you play as Vibri, a rabbit-like character. As Vibri walks across a level, obstacles such as loops, crevices, and, uh, squiggly lines force you into action. Each obstacle has a button assigned to it. So you'll have to hit the R1 button to successfully traverse a loop, X for squiggly lines, "down" for dips in the road, and L1 for block shapes. There are four basic shapes, but sometimes two shapes will combine to form a new type of shape. These combo obstacles require you to hit two buttons simultaneously. So if you see a loop made of squiggly lines, you'll need to hit both R1 and the X button. After a few hours of play, the combo shapes become second nature.

Depending on your skill at passing these obstacles, Vibri will evolve or devolve as you play. The rabbit form will transform into a winged prince if you're doing well or to a frog or worm if you're constantly mistiming your moves. Timing plays an extremely important role in vib-ribbon. The levels and shapes are all based on whatever music track is currently playing. The songs that come with the game are full of tempo changes and other musical tricks that make the levels interesting. But the game gets really wild when you start popping your own music into the PlayStation. The game will generate levels based on the beat and tempo of any track you give it. Slower songs usually result in slow-moving levels that are fairly easy to complete, while dropping some up-tempo tracks will make Vibri's job extremely difficult. The game requires extreme concentration, and after a while you get completely absorbed in the game. It feels as though your button-pushing is keeping the music going (which, technically, it is), and you feel compelled to keep the beats rocking for as long as you possibly can.

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