Vib-Ribbon

Infobox VG| title = Vib-Ribbon


developer = NanaOn-Sha
publisher = Sony Computer Entertainment
designer = Masaya Matsuura
engine =
released = 09 December 1999
genre = Music game
modes = Single player
ratings =
platforms = PlayStation
media = CD-ROM
requirements =
input =

"Vib-Ribbon" is a game for Sony PlayStation. Developed by Masaya Matsuura (the former leader of the Japanese "Hyper Pop Unit" PSY S) and his NanaOn-Sha company, and released in 1999, the game was sold in Japan and Europe. "Vib-Ribbon" is a rhythm video game in the style of "PaRappa the Rapper" and "Amplitude". The game was unique in that the software loaded into RAM, letting the player use any music CD to play against -- the game could generate a unique level from any track. The graphics for "Vib-Ribbon" are simple, consisting of straight, white vector lines forming crude, angular drawings of the level and the character, a female rabbit named Vibri.

The object of the game is to guide Vibri along a ribbon filled with obstacles corresponding to the song being played. Pressing the correct buttons at the right time will let Vibri pass unscathed. Failing to do so will make Vibri degenerate from a rabbit into a frog, then a worm, and finally perishing for good. If enough obstacles are navigated successfully, Vibri's form is "promoted" to that of fairy princess. The game's score is represented by a series of symbols that accumulate as the game level progresses. A numerical score is generated at the end of the song. Depending on the score obtained, Vibri will sing a congratulatory song that gets longer with higher scores.

Furthermore, there was also another sequel titled "Vib-Ripple" which was more similar to "Vib-Ribbon" but instead used digital images loaded into the game for the character to bounce from.

Music

As with many CD-based games, most of the in-game music is included on the game CD as standard Red Book audio format tracks, including six songs by Japanese group "Laugh And Peace" (also known to play keybords for J-Pop W's 2006 Duo U&U album).

Along with the music distributed with the game CD, the player can run his own music CD, which generates the vib-ribbon in accordance with the rythm of the tracks : a hard rock CD producing a much more chalenging line than a soft music CD.

Legacy

Game creator Masaya Matsuura has stated interest in working on "Vib-Ribbon" again, either through a sequel or a remake, and showed interest in downloadable services. When quizzed about the possibility of bringing "Vib-Ribbon" to other consoles Matsuura said he could buy it from Sony. [ [http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/3521/matsuura_got_rhythm_the_state_of_.php?page=8] ]

When asked about the possibility of a port for Playstation 3, Matsuura stated that, "We are discussing the possibility of making a downloadable version of "Vib-Ribbon" for Sony, but, I don't know yet - Sony only recently launched their downloadable service in Japan, so maybe we need to wait a while before releasing a title with that kind of appeal." [ [http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/46826] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.vib-ribbon.com/ Official Site]
* [http://www.big.or.jp/~hirotaco/kyo-ki/ Laugh and Peace]