Rock Out With Your **** Out

UPDATED: 4/21/06

OVERVIEW

Guitar Hero is a video game for PlayStation 2 produced by RedOctane and Harmonix. Similar to games like "Dance Dance Revolution," the game involves users keeping time with the music and hitting the proper inputs. GH's unique angle comes from the guitar-shaped controller that features buttons functioning as "frets" on the guitar, and other inputs like the "strum" bar and "whammy bar" that simulate real guitar playing. Users are challenged to keep up with playing the dozens of rock tracks using the specially-designed controller. Keep the audience rocking (and earn points) with a rating in the green, or you'll get booed off the stage when it falls into the red. If you successfully rock the audience and earn enough points on a song, it'll put you one step closer to unlocking new venues and new songs (as well as cash that you can use to buy extras in the virtual store).

My description is apparently confusing, so visit this website for screen captures and videos of the game as it is being played: http://www.guitarherogame.com/gameplay.asp

Essentially the actual "play" of the game is you watching the moving "sheet music" (so to speak), and trying to keep up with what notes you're ordered to play.

THE REVIEW

PROS

Virtually everything about this game is exceptional in every way, from the role-playing aspect (of being able to choose a character, to what type of guitar that character plays, to the paint on that guitar, to moving up to better venues, etc.) to the animation, to the hints/tips, to the way the game is layed out.

Speaking as both an avid guitar player and gamer - this is a near-perfect marriage of the two worlds, and it's done so well that even my friends who have no interest in gaming couldn't resist giving it a try - and loved it.

Another great aspect of the game is that the controller has a motion sensor built in - and if one raises the neck of the guitar so that it is vertical, it kicks in one's "star power" and doubles the points you earn for successfully hitting each note; so there's an extra element of strategy built in.

The songs on the game are great, from modern rock hits like Audioslave's "Cochise" to Franz Ferdinand's "Take me Out" all the way back to great classic rock like Boston's "More Than a Feeling" or Queen's "Killer Queen." It also spans genres from metal to punk to psychadellic to alternative to glam. In addition to well-known acts, GH is populated with extra unlockable tracks from up-and-coming bands that won a contest held by the game's manufacturers (to coencide with the release of the game). Many of those tracks are surprisingly good and I've found myself googling the acts that performed them. I'm fervently hoping for a GH II with more songs to play - and it sounds like based on the success of the game that this is virtually guaranteed.

The animations are well-rendered, and are hilarious - but also capture the thrill of a well-played rock show. Also especially good are the scenery of each venue; the sets are at once imaginative and compelling - but also very true-to-life and satirize the theatrics of rock music. The fingerprints of real guitar playing hobbyists are all over this game - and it makes it that much more enjoyable.

CONS

Essentially there are virtually no drawbacks to the game, and the cons are really minor (so I still stand behind the 5 star rating). My gripes include:

- The songs are approximations, and are not the actual artists in most cases. That said, however, they're damn good covers and you might not even notice if you didn't pay close attention.

- The fret buttons on the guitar are too large, and spaced too far apart. They're definitely harder to hit than the frets on a real guitar, and can inhibit game play.

- The strum bar is a great idea - but it can be difficult to use - to simulate playing with a pick, it hurts your fingers after a while, and it's insufficient to just pluck it with your thumb. I tried playing with an actual pick - and this seems to work well, but takes some getting used to.

- The fact that only one version of the controller is offered - it would be great to be able to choose from different body styles.

- The Expense; the whole kit costs $70 (or $110 for a multiplayer bundle) and to replace (or add) a controller currently currently costs $50.

- The guitar strap that the kit comes with is very cheap, and the plastic-on-plastic squeaks loudly with virtually every move and feels very cheap. It would be great if they sprung for a cloth/leather strap to reduce the noise.