Lips (computer game)

Lips
Studio	iNiS
Publisher	Microsoft Game Studios
Erstveröffent- lichung	November 21, 2008 (Europe)
platform	Xbox 360
genre	Karaoke
Game mode	One-player mode, two-player mode
control	Controllers, wireless microphones
medium	Xbox 360 disc
language	German English
Age rating	USK PEGI

Lips is a karaoke game from Microsoft Game Studios for the Xbox 360 . It was developed by the Japanese video game manufacturer iNiS.

The player has to sing to well-known pieces of music from the field of pop and rock. If the singing matches the original piece both rhythmically and tonally, the scoring increases. In contrast to the competitor product SingStar , the evaluation at Lips is based not only on the vocal performance but also on gesticulations with the motion-sensitive microphone and percussive effects by the audience using the controller.

Game mechanics

The game mechanics in Lips are similar to SingStar and Karaoke Revolution . In addition to the single player mode, two players can sing in a duet on the console or compete against each other in numerous multiplayer modes . Unlike other music games (except SingStar), if a player sings badly, the song being sung is not canceled. No level of difficulty can be set, but good performance in the six categories of pitch, stability, rhythm, party, technique and performance is rewarded. If you are connected to the Internet and have an Xbox Live account, your own performance will be published in a ranking list.

Players can connect a digital music device (such as an iPod ) or a USB mass storage device to sing their own music. The game regulates the voice of the original singer down and awards points as with the songs already included. The only difference is that no lyrics are displayed on the screen. Players can also connect their Xbox 360 to a computer and stream songs, for example, via Windows Media Center or download the songs they want via the integrated download portal ( Xbox Live Marketplace ).

Lips is offered with two motion-sensitive wireless microphones. A second player can seamlessly join a game in progress by shaking the second microphone. The microphones can also be used to perform gestures made by the game in order to earn extra points.

Others

In April 2009 a software update was released that should eliminate some bugs in the game and offer new features. The changes included:

• Integration of an online highscore list
• a new calibration system that should prevent previous discrepancies in newer televisions
• In-game message indicator that alerts you to new download content
• Revised sound recognition to improve the distinction between speaking and singing
• Compatibility of the microphones with the Xbox 360 games Guitar Hero: Metallica and Rock Band 2 .

With the appearance of Lips: Number One Hits , some innovations and changes were introduced:

• Freestyle mode for your own music
• Text preview at the end of a line
• Integration of your own Xbox 360 avatars including new accessories
• Cup system (bronze, silver, gold, diamond) depending on the rank in the leaderboard
• Changing the song selection by changing the disc while the game is running

Furthermore, a bug fix was published, as some songs that were purchased with the original Lips CD via the Xbox Live Marketplace are no longer available for the successor. The missing songs can only be integrated manually by downloading them again (free of charge).

criticism

Lips received only average ratings. The average on Metacritic was 78 points, on GameRankings 71.7 percent and on Gamestats 7.9 points (as of October 2009).

The good selection of songs, the fun in multiplayer mode and the very good wireless microphones were positively mentioned .

“If you're having a party with karaoke-loving friends, then Lips will offer an evening's worth of solid entertainment. The wireless microphones are convenient and innovative, and they make it difficult to go back to corded models afterwards. The song selection is also excellent, with 40 songs that are varied in style but united in anthemic quality. "

“ If you're having a party with karaoke-loving friends, Lips will make for a solidly fun night out. The wireless microphones are practical and innovative and make it difficult to later switch back to models with cables. The song selection is excellent too, with 40 songs that vary in style but have good quality in common. "

- Guy Cocker : gamespot.com

"The interface is remarkably easy to use, the initial track list is solid and the motion-sensitive light-up microphones are outstanding."

“ The interface is exceptionally easy to use, the initial song list is solid, and the motion-sensitive microphones are excellent. "

- Ryan Geddes : ign.com

“ The wireless and flashing microphones are great in the hand and are superbly finished, while Xbox Live provides the perfect basis for building a strong vocal community. "

- Michael Krosta : 4players.de

Negative complaints were the short-term gameplay and the undemanding gameplay due to the lack of difficulty.

"[...] the nonexistent difficulty level means this is a game with practically no appeal for single players [...]"

" [...] the non-existent level of difficulty means that this game has practically no appeal for single players [...] "

- Guy Cocker : gamespot.com

“This isn't a game that will provide you hours of solo enjoyment on a rainy Sunday afternoon, and if you're expecting a full-featured music game on par with Rock Band or Guitar Hero, I'd advice against picking up Lips . For hardcore gamers, there's nothing even remotely challenging about Lips […] ”

“ This is not a game that will provide you with hours of solo fun on a rainy Sunday night, and if you're expecting a full-fledged music game that is on par with Rock Band or Guitar Hero, I wouldn't recommend buying Lips. For hardcore gamers, Lips is nowhere near challenging. "

- Ryan Geddes : ign.com

“ Without camera support and no possibility to save the audio recordings, videos or photos, online functions play no role except for the still poorly filled song store and the sending of challenges around. A shame when you consider what Sony is doing with SingStar in this direction! And even with the game modes, despite fun mini-games, you fall behind and don't have much to offer a party group. In addition, one misses different degrees of difficulty and a comprehensible point system [...] "

- Michael Krosta : 4players.de

Lips games

• 2008: Lips
• 2009: Lips: Number One Hits
• 2009: Lips: German party hits
• February 26, 2010: Lips: Party Classics
• March 29, 2010: Lips: I love the 80s

Playlists

swell

1. ↑ Lips software update and improvements  ( page no longer available , search in web archives )  Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved October 23, 2009  
2. ↑ Lips microphones compatible with other Xbox360 titles  ( page no longer available , search in web archives )  Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved October 23, 2009  
3. ↑ Karena: The Lips Game Add-On fix is ​​out! . Lips Community. October 24, 2009. Archived from the original on October 28, 2009. Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved January 9, 2011. 
4. ↑ Metacritic , GameRankings , Gamestats ( Memento of the original from May 15, 2009 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Accessed October 23, 2009 
5. ↑ ^{a b} gamespot.com: Gamespot review, accessed October 23, 2009
6. ↑ ^{a b} ign.com: IGN Review Accessed October 23, 2009
7. ↑ ^{a b} 4players.de: 4Players criticism Accessed on October 23, 2009
8. ↑ Karena: Lips: Number One Hits Has Arrived! . Lips Community. October 21, 2009. Accessed on January 9, 2011.  ( Page no longer available , search in web archives )  Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.  
9. ↑ Karena: Lips: Deutsche Partyknaller Gets the Xbox 360 Party Started at gamescom . Lips Community. August 20, 2009. Accessed on January 9, 2011.  ( Page no longer available , search in web archives )  Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.  
10. ↑ Karena: Lips: Party Classics Brings Singing Favorites Home Starting Feb. 26 . Lips Community. January 13, 2010. Archived from the original on April 9, 2010. Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved January 9, 2011. 
11. ↑ M. Brems: The 80s are coming back . XboxFront. February 23, 2010. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
12. ↑ M. Brems: German track list and release date revealed! . XboxFront. October 23, 2008. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
13. ↑ M. Brems: Lips: Number One Hits - Test . XboxFront. November 13, 2009. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
14. ↑ Christian Gramstad: GC09: Lips: German party hits revealed . Xboxdynasty. August 19, 2009. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
15. ↑ S. Sharma: Screens: Tracklist revealed . XboxFront. February 16, 2010. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
16. ^ Rainier: Lips: I Love The 80s' (X360) Announced . Worth playing. March 8, 2010. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
17. ↑ Lips . XboxLive Marketplace. Retrieved January 9, 2011.

Web links

• Lips homepage
• Lips on Xbox LIVE Marketplace