Tuesday 27 Oct 2009

Claiming that this is the 5th Guitar Hero game is as preposterous as claiming Windows 7 is the 7th edition of Windows. We have multiple sequels to different versions, with single band spin-offs and portable versions. We are also soon to get Band Hero, DJ Hero and who knows: maybe MC Hero and Triangle Hero will follow soon. Does the world really need another Guitar Hero? Can you fit another plastic instrument in your lounge?

The short answer is yes! Not only can we use another Guitar Hero, but this is the definitive edition to own. The long answer follows below.

The Theory of Evolution

Just like Windows 7, GH5 has refined the genre to a point where you have to wonder how we lived without these features before. It is by no means a revolutionary game. Neversoft took no risks in making this game, and I am sure Bobby Kottick and the boys in Activision Towers do not mind at all. This is a cash cow they are prepared to milk bone dry. But the evolution of the genre has actually led to a game that is leaner, meaner, and just a charm to play.

If you have never played Guitar Hero or Rock Band, or if you have no idea what it is about, then this review is not for you. If you are reading this to decide if you should take the plunge into music and rhythm games, then stop reading and order the full band kit right now. This is the version to get! Granted, I have not played Rock Band…yet…

You Have to Fight For Your Right to Paaaaaaaarty!

Pop the disc in and the first thing you notice, after the obligatory intro trailer, is the band on stage, playing one of the over 85 songs in the set list. They will continue to do so until you interrupt them, or join them. There is no menu until you hit start. But you can push the green fret button to join in at any time. It’s quite an experience to just sit and watch them too, perfect for a party. The band will go on and do its own thing. If you hear a tune you like you pick up a guitar or drum sticks and play along. End of the song you simply decline to play further and they carry on. Why did it take so long for this feature?

You can now also play with any number of the same instruments. Want to get a huge drum session going? No problem, simply hook up 4 drum sets and start playing. Ever fought over who is playing bass and who is playing guitar? Don’t, you can both play the easy bass line. I am not sure if you can hook up 4 microphones as the Xbox only has 3 USB ports and I only have 1 mic. But at least a mic can be shared between people to form up a little choir.

The single player career mode (or band career mode) has always been used to unlock all the songs for the quick play feature. But now every song is available right off the bat. No more grinding through the career mode the night before you invite your mates over for a jol. The game is certainly more focused on the quick party play than previous games. Creating set lists with your friends and jamming out a few songs while the meat is still on the braai is effortless. This game is a party game.

Build Some Character

The characters are as vibey as ever, but the amount of detail compared to previous games is through the roof. You still get the cardboard crowd, but the performers are brilliant. Old favourites like Axel Steel and Judy Nails return, but look more lifelike than ever. Not that you will notice while you play, but still. Famous characters also feature, like Kurt Cobain and Shirley Manson, and look just like I imagine they should. The level of customisation has been taken to a whole new level, and you should be able to recreate all your favourite rockers. Even your Xbox avatar can make an appearance on stage, and though he might look a bit out of place, it’s a very nice touch. What else do you use them for?

The runway feels flatter and the star power meter and score multiplier has been pulled right into the runway’s edge. This allows you to see the star power available without taking your eyes off the bombardment of notes. You will also see all your achievements as a band right there too. No longer will you be kicked out of a song if only one of the band members fails. As a band you can complete a string of short tasks to pull your other member back into the gig, just the way a live band would do it. If the singer falls off the stage, the show must go on!

The selection of songs will always be a hot topic. Some really like the heavy, speaker melting, metal songs which play best with three hands and some petroleum jelly. Others rather like the ability to jam with your favourite rock band, or sing along to the classics of old. Personally, the best Guitar Hero track ever was Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd in GH2. You just get the feeling of utter accomplishment and skill as opposed to luck getting you through the song. In World Tour, no song got the band and the crowd together like Living on a Prayer by Bon Jovi. Amazingly, everyone knows the full song.

In GH5 you feel more like a performer on a stage than any other game. With some songs the crowd actually sings along with you during the chorus, and if you have a surround sound setup this will blow you away. You are playing a 50 thousand strong crowd’s favourite tune! Woohoo! But so far I cannot make up my mind on a song that really stands out. Most of them are great, with some songs favouring different instruments.

Importance of Importing Your Imports

You can also import 35 of your World Tour songs and 21 of the Greatest Hits songs to your GH5 experience, and all DLC is compatible GH5 as well. That leaves you with a huge selection of songs to keep you busy without swopping out discs.

Even though the game is aimed at the party experience, the career mode has also been improved. It harks back to the days of GH2 where a venue needs to be unlocked before you can continue. After each performance you are rated out of 5 stars. You need stars to progress to the next venue. But rather than having a difficulty locked into your career, you can now change the difficulty per song. Come across a face-melter, change it to medium and it won’t hold you back. There are also different challenges per song that will unlock more outfits and bragging rights. Hit 200 snares in this song, play all the star power notes in that song. Easier said than done, but crazy addictive to achieve some of the harder goals.

All in all the Guitar Hero series has reached the pinnacle of music and rhythm games. It is not limited to a specific artist or genre. It is very easy to pick up and play, yet still hard enough to master so the insanely talented can get 100% on the expert level. Start a real band already, folks. However, it leaves me with a feeling of apprehension: will we really need another Guitar Hero this time next year? Do we need a Band Hero? I feel the time can be better spent on creating a bigger selection and variety of songs. This is the best music rhythm game out there and we don’t need another upgrade. But that poor cow needs to be milked.

The good: My avatar rocking out to Song 2 by Blur
The bad: Not much
The ugly: Cash cows are being milked to death

Rating:
Contributor:	Oltman

Purchase: