Strategy Guide - Guide for Vib-Ribbon

Vib Ribbon - NTSCJ
FAQ Version 1.0 (3.21.00)
by Chris Adcock  ([email protected])

Contents:
Purpose of this Guide/Disclaimer
What is Vib Ribbon?
Navigating the Menus
Game Tips
Miscellaneous/Credits

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Purpose of this Guide

This guide is intended as a reference (especially for those who can't read 
japanese) for the game Vib Ribbon. All copyrights for the game are properties of 
Sony Computer Entertainment Japan, and not by the writer of this guide. If you 
plan on using this guide on your website, please send me an e-mail for 
permission before you post. Contents of this guide are sole properties of the 
author.

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What is Vib Ribbon?

Vib Ribbon was designed by Masaya Matsuura, also creator of Parappa the Rappa 
and Umjammer Lammy, and was released in Japan on 12.9.99. Vib Ribbon is a genre 
in itself, which transcends the usual dance/rhythm game; you'll just have to 
play it for yourself. The main character of the game is a rabbit named Vibri, 
whom you must guide down an obstacle laden ribbon which is generated from the 
music on the game cd or any audio cd.  Vibri may evolve or devolve into 
different animal-like characters depending on how well you play. Although the 
game is somewhat linear (no pun intended), it is not particularly level-based, 
however, it contains three skill levels and high scores to beat. 

As for the in-game music, it's by the group "Laugh and Beats." Personally, I 
know little about this group except for the fact that vocals are by Yoko Fujita; 
it's also some of the most infectiously catchy music I've heard. If you're 
intrigued by the music, take a look at the Vib Ribbon section on 
http://www.thegia.com. They have lyric translations and sound files.

As of yet, SCEA has no plans to bring this title to the US, however, it is 
currently being localized for European release.

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Navigating the Menus

For someone with little or no knowledge of japanese (like myself) the menus may 
seem somewhat cryptic and overwhelming. This section is intended to guide you 
through the menus without any knowledge of Katakana.

First of all, the controls for the menu are the d-pad, which makes the menu go 
clockwise or counter-clockwise, and the X and O buttons, which mean cancel and 
select, respectively.

When you start the game, there is a short sequence and then a title screen. At 
the title screen there are two options:

Option 1: Play Game
Option 2: Tutorial (Vibri shows you how to play)

If you choose Option 1, another menu appears, which we shall call Menu 2:

Note:
Always scroll counterclockwise for the options to appear in the order below.

Menu 2
Option 1: Play original game (with tracks on CD), takes you to Menu 3
Option 2: Play a game with an audio CD, takes you to CD Menu
Option 3: Option (sounds like Vibri says option), takes you to Option Menu
Option 4: Previous menu, takes you to title screen (this is in every menu, 	  
and sounds like Mononit; you can also reach this option at any time 	  in the 
menu screen by pressing X)

Menu 3
Option 1: Easy difficulty, to game 
Option 2: Medium difficulty, to game 
Option 3: Hard diffictulty (sounds like master), to game 
Option 4: High Scores (sounds like high scores), to High Scores Menu
Option 5: Previous menu (mononit), takes you to Menu 2

High Scores Menu:
This menu shows the top 3 high scores, you can exit by pressing O.

CD Menu:

Note: before you start the game, you will be prompted with a big bubble; this 
means to switch to an audio cd

Option 1: Play easy game (full cd), takes you to CD Menu B
Option 2: Play harder game (full cd), takes you to CD Menu B
Option 3: Play a single track, takes you to a menu exactly like Menu 2, then 
	  you select a track
Option 4: Demo mode, takes you to CD Menu B
Option 5: High Scores, see high scores
Option 6: Previous Menu (mononit), takes you to Menu 2

CD Menu B: 
Option 1: Play CD, to game 
Option 2: Previous Menu (mononit), takes you to CD Menu
Option 3: Put in a new CD, this takes you to the bubble prompt again

Option Menu:
Option 1: Sound effects on/off; the one with the cross, nahi, means off
Option 2: Vibration (dual shock) on/off; the cross means off  
Option 3: Previous Menu, to Menu 2

Pause Menu and Game Over Menu:
Option 1: Re-start level
Option 2: End Level

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Game Tips

The game itself is pretty simple, and the diagram included with the manual shows 
you pretty much every move, but I'll attempt to describe them:

R1 		loop
L1 		square
X 		squiggly lines
Down 		V

R1 + L1 	loop/square combo
R1 + X 		star combo
R1 + Down 	upright chicken head
L1 + X		square w/squiggly top
L1 + Down 	square w/V top
X  + Down	squiggly V in ground


The Evolution of Vibri:

Virbi starts as a rabbit, however he can evolve into a king/angel/rabbit looking 
thing after you complete 18 succesful obstacles. You may notice pink dots which 
encircle Vibri as he progresses. When these form a circle, the next obstacle 
will make vibri evolve. However, for each 9 mishaps Vibri has, he will devolve 
into lesser organisms. First, Vibri becomes a frog-like thing, and then a snake 
with a box head. After 9 mishaps as a snake, Vibri dies. If you devolve, Vibri 
can evolve back into the next higher creature if you complete 18 more 
consecutive obstacles. 

Also, there is a line on the bottom which measures your progress. The line will 
change from green to yellow (right to left) as you complete the level.

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Miscellaneous/Credits

If you're looking for more info on this game, try http://www.thegia.com, they 
have an excellent review, news, and movs/pics/mp3's from the game. I'd like to 
thank them for providing me with a little background information on the history 
of Vib Ribbon.

I'd like to thank Sam Sheffield for telling me about this game, and Liz Burke 
for putting up with the obnoxious menu music as I figured it out, and for 
helping me with some of the game features.

If you have any updates or information you feel would enhance this FAQ, feel 
free to write me at [email protected] 

The contents of this guide are property of and copyright Chris Adcock, 2000.