LIPS: Number One Hits (Xbox 360) Preview
Posted by Sean Garmer on 09.01.2009
Time for some more Karaoke on the 360.
With Rock Band and Guitar Hero becoming big party hits adding a guitar, bass, and drums along with what made Karaoke popular, the singing part. Stand alone singing titles have to bring different things to the table in order to compete. So instead of just copying Karaoke Revolution (which came out before the Guitar Hero and eventual Rock Band craze.) They attempt to challenge those that already sing pretty good on those games by adding bonuses for matching artist vibrato, pitch, and tone. Sony's Singstar series has introduced four main iterations and numerous spin-offs. While Elite Beat Agents Developer Inis has only just started with the original LIPS game for the XBOX 360.
At E3 this year, Inis had their 2nd LIPS title, LIPS Number One Hits, available for us to play with nine songs on it. I played the original LIPS a few times and I found it fun but it had issues. You could score points by humming or blowing into the mic (in a standalone singing game this should never happen) and it wasn't always accurate on scoring your singing either. Well from the two times I played and other times I just stood and watched others, it seems like the issues are fixed.
The first time I played, it was against a Japanese media person and the song he chose was Extreme's "More Than Words." I hadn't heard this song, let alone even attempted to sing the song in ages, so I didn't do too well. So add to that, the part of the Microsoft booth where this was, was pretty loud and it made it a challenge. First thing I noticed is that depending on the song, the game may make you do something with the microphone, whether its shaking it, tapping it ala Rockband, or even doing hand claps with it. They also added the ability to have a continuous multiplier as my opponent got to around 226 before he finally missed once. I think I got to 84 before missing, once I got the hang of it. I sing on Expert on Rock Band 2 and I have some experience with choir. I know how to sing, but LIPS is much more than just matching pitch on any octave. It seemed to me that you had to match the artists voice octave and be precise about it as well, which meant switching octaves and sustaining vibrato at a moments notice too. Being not so familiar with the game I was also kinda afraid to just belt out the song, so I didn't sing too loud until I was already gonna lose. I still had a blast though and in the end, that's the point of Karaoke in the first place.
Before I get to some more hands-on stuff, they did tell me that your avatars will be usable in the game and you can unlock clothes for them too, the game will also have achievements. A PR person told me that you can now play with four people and up to two people can be assigned to one microphone. The game will also keep track of your ranking during the song you are playing and at the end it shows your overall score against whoever you are playing, as well as your ranking. Sadly, for those that are looking to only pick up the game and have RB or GH mics those don't work with LIPS. However, LIPS mics will eventually be patched to work with Rock Band and Guitar Hero titles.
The last time I played was against a PR rep. I chose Tokio Hotel's "Ready Set Go" which is a song I'm very familiar with because I have it as DLC on RB 2. So I did a lot better, sang comfortably, and had more fun, I also got really close to beating her. I got some headphones for playing the game too. It may take people a little while to get used to the mechanics but once you do there is fun to be had.
The game ships out to America on October 20th and three days after that it ships in Europe. Before I go, the 40 song set list was released not too long ago, so I leave you with that. Before anyone wonders, the DLC you've bought for the original LIPS will work in this game.
LIPS Number One Hits set list (Meaning these songs have at least been a Number One Hit in some part of the world). It has a good mix of songs, but obviously centers on today's artists.
Coldplay "Viva La Vida"
Akon "Don't Matter"
Lady Gaga "Just Dance"
Atomic Kitten "The Tide is High (Get the Feeling)"
Beck "Loser"
Black Eyed Peas "Don't Phunk With My Heart"
Blondie "Heart of Glass"
Fergie "Big Girls Don't Cry"
Fine Young Cannibals "She Drives Me Crazy"
Nickelback "How You Remind Me"
Bobby McFerrin "Don't Worry Be Happy"
James Morrison ft. Nelly Furtado "Broken Strings"
LL Cool J "Around the Way Girl"
Bob Sinclair "Love Generation"
Colbie Caillat "Bubbly"
Cutting Crew "(I Just) Died In Your Arms Tonight"
MC Hammer "U Can't Touch This"
Rihanna "Disturbia"
Extreme "More Than Words"
OneRepublic ft. Timbaland "Apologize"
Roy Orbison "Oh Pretty Woman" (RB 2 DLC)
Marvin Gaye "I Heard It Through the Grapevine"
Tokio Hotel "Ready Set Go" (RB2 DLC)
Culture Club "Karma Chameleon"
Roxette "The Look"
2pac ft. Dr. Dre "California Love"
Robbie Williams "Millenium"
Aqua "Barbie Girl"
DJ Otzi "Hey Baby"
The Plain White T's "Hey There Delilah"
Mariah Carey "Touch My Body"
Sugababies "Push the Button"
Kanye West "Heartless"
Tears For Fears "Everybody Wants to Rule the World"
Lily Allen "The Fear"
Scissor Sisters "I Don't Feel Like Dancin"
Pet Shop Boys "Always On My Mind" (Best Known as a Willie Nelson song, but originally recorded by Brenda Lee)
Jason Mraz "I'm Yours"
The Cardigans "Lovefool"
Beach Boys "I Get Around"
The first time I played, it was against a Japanese media person and the song he chose was Extreme's "More Than Words." I hadn't heard this song, let alone even attempted to sing the song in ages, so I didn't do too well. So add to that, the part of the Microsoft booth where this was, was pretty loud and it made it a challenge. First thing I noticed is that depending on the song, the game may make you do something with the microphone, whether its shaking it, tapping it ala Rockband, or even doing hand claps with it. They also added the ability to have a continuous multiplier as my opponent got to around 226 before he finally missed once. I think I got to 84 before missing, once I got the hang of it. I sing on Expert on Rock Band 2 and I have some experience with choir. I know how to sing, but LIPS is much more than just matching pitch on any octave. It seemed to me that you had to match the artists voice octave and be precise about it as well, which meant switching octaves and sustaining vibrato at a moments notice too. Being not so familiar with the game I was also kinda afraid to just belt out the song, so I didn't sing too loud until I was already gonna lose. I still had a blast though and in the end, that's the point of Karaoke in the first place.
The last time I played was against a PR rep. I chose Tokio Hotel's "Ready Set Go" which is a song I'm very familiar with because I have it as DLC on RB 2. So I did a lot better, sang comfortably, and had more fun, I also got really close to beating her. I got some headphones for playing the game too. It may take people a little while to get used to the mechanics but once you do there is fun to be had. 
