Lips Review for Xbox 360

System: X360	Review Rating Legend
Dev: Inis	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: Microsoft	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Release: Nov. 18, 2008	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	5.0 = The Best
Players: 1-2	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
ESRB Rating: Teen	3.5 - 3.9 = Good

One of Lips’ most touted features is the music importing feature. This feature allows you to use music from either your HDD or a personal music device (such as iPod or Zune) to import your own songs. While there are no note bars to sing along with, the game still gives you points based on the noises you do make (no matter whether they are correct or not.) This feature is pretty cool, and certainly gives party-focused players a lot to work with. For instance, if you wanted to sing a rare or unreleased song from your personal collection at your next party like “The Star Wars Gangsta Rap” by Bentframe or “The Picard Song” by Dark Materia, you can (although embarrassment may come at your own expense.)

Lips screenshot

Although Lips is generally a local experience, there is an online “community” aspect of the game where you can challenge online friends to a song battle. However, this is not a head-to-head battle, and this challenge simply means that the other person will receive a notice of the challenge and will have seven days to try and get a higher score. This mode is very disappointing, as I would have really loved to have seen a full online mode in a karaoke title., This is one area where Lips definitely sticks to conventions, and I think it is worse for it.

The visuals in this title are very dynamic and presented in 1080i. Although the HD quality is lost on a lot of the music videos, the menu design is very nice to look at and fully customizable. You can choose different backgrounds and note bar color schemes, and the whole thing is presented very nicely.

Overall, Lips is a very exciting first effort from Microsoft. The innovative microphone peripheral, accelerometer-based mini-games, medal system, and the ability to import your own songs make this title stand out from the crowd. However, this title’s short and conventional track list, as well as its lack of online play really hinders it from being a true SingStar killer. But if history is any indication, we will probably see more Lips titles in the future, and I am excited to see where this franchise will go.

By Amanda L. Kondolojy
CCC Staff Contributor

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

4.2

Graphics
High-res interface looks and feels great, and the dynamic backgrounds are gorgeous.

4.0

Control
The motion controls do feel a little tacked on, but they work well during singing mini-games.

3.5

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Although the game’s onboard track list is a little underwhelming with just 40 songs, there are enough crowd pleasers to satisfy most players.

3.8

Play Value
Although playing the mini-games and being able to import your own songs certainly add new dimensions to the classic singing formula, there just aren’t enough songs for this title to have the staying power of reigning karaoke king SingStar.

4.1

Overall Rating - Great
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

Two wireless interactive microphones. Featuring stylish interactive motion sensors and lights, the microphones respond to singers’ actions and can be used as percussion accompaniments. With the freedom and encouragement provided by the high-quality wireless microphones, everyone can live their singing dreams in style.

The best music. “Lips” will include a diverse selection of songs, including your favorite blasts from the past such as “Bust a Move” by Young MC, as well as new songs from breakout artists such as “Mercy” by Duffy and “Young Folks” by Peter Bjorn and John.

Sing your music collection. “Lips” allows people to customize their experience with the songs that matter most to them by singing along with friends to the music from their personal collection.

Constant flow of new music. From the songs that will come with the game, to your own music collection and the ability to download new tracks from Xbox LIVE Marketplace, “Lips” will continually provide new music to bring people together and keep the party going.