Ibb and Obb encapsulates exactly why you should game with others when you’re feeling like a beautiful challenge of mind and reflexes. It’s a beautiful side scrolling platform game that takes a few concepts and let’s it run amok and is all the better for it.
There are two characters (Ibb and Obb) which can be controlled by either one player but it is best advised to play locally with a friend. The world usually has a dividing line and when you cross that line it’s like crossing a mirror as gravity is reversed and suddenly you’re dealing with being upside down. However that’s the least of your problems as one hit kill enemies require disposing of by touching their shadow on the other side of the line. It’s a simple gameplay element but it works beautifully as one player kills the enemies blocking the others way. However by level three you are stacking onto each other for double jumps, using momentum to push yourselves around the screen and really exploiting the mechanics. It can be a tricky learning curve and you will come across a few sticky moments but then the fun is working together to beat them. Challenges are usually down to speed reflexes and working out what will get you to where. Simple but ingenious level design will keep you on your toes.
Whilst all this goes on in a sublime abstract object world that feels warm and cuddly (the colour palette is amazing) you will be treated to one of the best soundtracks of 2013 by miles. It’s subtle yet catchy without ever being annoying and it twists and changes per level. The way the game pushes all it’s elements together is a joy to behold.
Positives
~ Beautiful world
~ Sublime music
~ Precise controls ensure working collaboratively is a joy
~ Easily the most complete co-op experience I’ve played since Kuri Kuri Mix on the PS2
Negatives
~ Difficulty in some points may put lighter gamers off (but I’m being picky to find fault here)
Conclusion
Amazing. This needs to be the poster child for the true co-op experience. Pitch perfect I cannot recommend it highly enough.