Over the last few years, it has become perfectly acceptable to sit down in front of the TV and listen to someone singing Maria Carey. Badly.
Every weekend, X Factor tells thousands of tone-deaf karaoke fiends across the country that success is merely an audition away, that anyone can do it and, yes, it could be you. Girls with all the vocal talent of a rutting moose have become convinced, thanks to a storming closing time rendition of Hero rapturously received by the inebriated punters at the Dog and Duck, that fame and worldwide renown is not only achievable but a given.
All this has been compounded by the endless interest the great British public has in watching people embarrass themselves – as well as a remarkable ability to close down its hearing faculties.
Wading into the fray, the games industry has recently undergone a revolution in allowing your average gamer to live out rock and roll-based fantasies in the comfort of their own homes – where Freddy Mercury-style strutting can be pulled off with a panache rarely achieved at the karaoke machine after seven pints of premium strength European lager.
SingStar was the first to make the living room a venue, and since then the rest of the band has been given its time to shine, thanks to Guitar Hero and latterly Rock Band. Lips is the latest to join in the fun, and has plenty going for it to give fans of the console-connected microphone another opportunity to step up to the front man role.
With respected Japanese developer and rhythm game specialist iNis behind it, Lips has pedigree, and thanks to a huge set list and a couple of innovative features, it looks to be a good shout for solid sales on the 360. Complete with wireless motion sensitive microphones, Lips gives players the chance to tap into a huge variety of songs both on the disc and from their own music collections.
InIS founder and musical gaming legend Keiichi Yano is behind the development, a fact that will resonate with many who have been closely watching the ongoing growth of this sector. Generally regarded as the man that gifted the world the first rhythm-based guitar game Gitaroo Man, his association with this title gives it that all-important credibility and the promise that Lips will be hugely playable and highly addictive.
The two wireless microphones, replete with interactive motion sensors and shiny lights, respond to the singers’ actions and can be used as percussion as players work their way through the huge set list that is included with the game – a list that includes everyone from Rihanna to the Ramones, with something for everyone.
The game itself echoes similar titles – singalong to the track, and be rated on your performance. Up to two players can also join in, using standard 360 controllers to join in with the rhythm aspect of the game through a series of tambourines, claps and cowbells, meaning that Lips is about more than simply watching your deluded mates howl their way through the classic hits (which are accompanied by their original music videos).
Various different modes include Vocal Fighters, which pits singers against each other in a duel to win the most fans (the loser is booed off, which is a nice touch) and Time Bomb, where players must perform well in order to prevent said weapon exploding. A Couples’ mode is also included, in which a suitably loved-up pair can duet and see their on-screen characters smooch their way through the song when notes are hit and gestures towards each other made with the nicely responsive microphones.
Perhaps the finest selling point of Lips lies in its ability to give players a chance to sing along with music of their own choosing. Players can connect up their iPods or other MP3 players, and thanks to a bit of in-game wizardy, can sing along to their own music (with vocal reduction, so that it doesn’t sound like you’re trying to drown out your heroes).
Players are scored on this as if it were a normal part of the game. An obviously great addition, having the capability to deal with the demands of those who simply don’t want to sing along to Chris Martin makes this a title for the more discerning household singer. Credible karaoke for the terminally cool, if you will.
Additionally, through the Xbox Live Marketplace, players can download current hits and expand their music libraries with their picks from the current crop of pop darlings.
Any title which gives a large swathe of people the chance to make a drunken jackass of themselves in the company of close friends and family should be encouraged, that goes without saying. Throw in a nifty pair of microphones and the seemingly endless ability to update the track listing with whatever takes your fancy, and you’ve got a hit on your hands.
There is a huge amount of enthusiasm for these sort of titles, and this Christmas the land is going to be awash with caterwauling shower-singers as they and their families get down to a bit of serious singing. With the likes of Rock Band and Guitar Hero not to the taste of everybody, Lips should soon be kissing hello to retail success.
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