“I got it! …nevermind.” Minimalistic co-op puzzle requires brainpower from both of you

If you like cuteness, puzzles, and you have that special someone you would like to have a great time with, or maybe some arguments, I got some good news for you! Approximately a decade ago a two-player cooperative game ibb & obb was published on PlayStation 3, yet it is still available and fabulous today on PC, PS3, and Nintendo Switch.

Whether you play alone or (preferably) with a friend, ibb & obb challenges you despite its cute appearance. In the beginning of the game you fall onto a straight line that is the ground of a beautiful, colorful two-dimensional world. Player one is green and optimistic little creature ibb and player two is friendly and pink obb. You start running with your little legs towards the unknown right, which soon reveals black spiky enemies and interesting gravity related puzzles in which you need to combine your brainpower to overcome.

Majoring in physics does help in this game as the puzzles grow more and more difficult during the 15 levels, yet the most valuable attribute is cooperation. It is not possible to get far ahead by yourself because completing the puzzles requires both creatures, without exceptions. In addition: If ibb dies, obb dies and vice versa, meaning that you really need each other. In single player mode you operate both characters, which can be annoyingly tricky and – quoting a developer – a lot less fun. One might think that 15 levels plus eight bonus levels cannot offer much room for diversity of level designs, yet they would be surprised of the variety. One moment you are jumping on the cute moving platforms, in another you find yourself in a pitch-black atmosphere, and suddenly you are running for your lives. Does that sound monotonous to you?

ibb & obb does not seem like a game that could offer a real challenge, but it really depends on the players. On top of the brainwork the game demands, there are also points to collect in each level. This is voluntary, yet an attractive challenge for the completionists. Even a point short of the full score presents you a different level ending than the full score would. Towards the end of the game it is going to be more and more difficult to get all the points. Furthermore, the eight bonus levels are hidden in the 15 main levels and are easily missed if you just stroll through the levels admiring the views.

There is a danger in this game. There will likely be moments of frustration, and at those moments you really need to keep your cool and not lash out at your game partner. There will be those two or three puzzles that takes you ten or twenty attempts until you get them right, and with this in mind you should choose your game partner carefully. Apart from the possible teamwork-related frustration, you should also either play locally or have a good internet connection. Bad connection will provide lots of annoying deaths and failures when your games are not synchronized.

When you get that working internet connection or a friend sitting next to you, ibb & obb will provide you many great moments. Whether you are jumping through the levels or seeing the little creatures dozing off together, you know it is worth the brainwork it demands. Tip: if you have a gamer crush, this game can bring you two closer together – it has worked at least once.

 

Publisher: Sparpweed
Developer: Sparpweed, Codeglue
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Windows, Linux, PlayStation 3
Release Date: (PS3) 6^th of August 2013
Genres: Action, Adventure, Indie, Co-op
Age Rating: Not rated

Photos: Promo pictures from the game ibb & obb (Sparpweed, Codeglue 2013),
featured image is a screenshot taken by the author

https://store.steampowered.com/app/95400/ibb__obb/

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