Ib: A Game Review.

Good morning, starshine. The earth says hello!

Well, with that introduction out the way, I suppose I have a review up again. This time, it isn't to do with an anime, but a lovely game I know as Ib. Ib was created in Japan as a horror puzzle game, so it was only natural I get involved.

However, upon starting the game I noticed something different about this horror; it was set in an art gallery. While it is hard to believe that art galleries can be scary at any possible time, this game managed to do it.

The puzzles are rather complex at times and simple at others, but either way, if you don't solve said puzzle, chances are you're going to be killed by an evil exhibit. Yes, in this horror game, the exhibits come to life. Such examples are the 'Lady in Red' (or green or blue or yellow or...you get the point) which, if you get too close, spring out of their portrait and begin clawing their way towards you. It'd be easy to avoid them if you didn't have to get close to them to make the story progress.

The animation itself isn't all that great, considering it's 2D animation (like Harvest Moon), but you don't really look to much into that when you're being attacked by once-innocent portraits and statues.

One thing I love specifically about this game is the music, which is simple, but still hits a nerve if you take the time to listen to it. It has a sweet feeling to it with an underlining tone of danger, which gives the game an innocent feel and only if you listen to it again to you realize there might be something threatening lurking under the surface. I love how the music mainly consists of two or three instruments and they are able to pull of such wonderful music.

The plot itself is interesting, although you don't pay much attention until you get a happy ending and you decide to check wikipedia for it. The whole set is interesting and has never been used before, which is why it is so good. The fact that this all started because of a single, lonely portrait really makes you feel sorry for the portrait (until you realize she's an evil sadistic witch which is when you start hating her). One thing in specific I love about this game is that you can get many different endings depending on your actions, and while most of them make you want to cry or scream out in frustration, you still like the ending for what it is. I still look for the happiest ending though.

Now, while this game doesn't hesitate to bring out a bit of violence, it also has subtle, childhood fear. Being in a dark place all by yourself is certainly something that scares you, and in the game, you can't help but check every corner in case there's something lurking just around the bend. The doll room is certainly something that I hate (considering I detest dolls with a passion). I hate it when you end up being locked in said room and you randomly have to check the dolls to find a key to exist, all the while there is a clock ticking and something is creeping out of the portrait, so if you don't make it, all goes to hell. I, for the first time, failed to find the key in time and the other characters entered the room while I have having a delusional conversation with rabbit ornaments (naturally, I was slapped back into reality). This goes to show that the game also enjoys bringing a bit of humour/craziness into the scene.

My favourite scene throughout the game was the sketchbook, which is basically like normal scenes, but has the appearance of children's scribbles, which gives you a creepy feel and, naturally when there is scary music playing, makes you want to get out of there fast. Finding your way around the sketchbook is difficult and it was very common for me to get lost while looking for an exit.

The villain itself is someone that you can't help but feel is a bit off, but you're not quite sure whether they're bad in any way. When they start acting off, you know that this is going to end badly and only later, with another character, do you realize the truth, and even then, it's difficult to get rid of her.

In conclusion, Ib may have the appearance of a sweet, innocent game with a young main character and simple animation, but when that portrait is dragging its way towards you, you know that this can only get worse.

I give this an 8/10. Great job, I only wish it was longer.

Signing off!

Rinrei

P.S: You can actually download this for free online in English.