We don’t get to talk about video games here, and that’s a shame. I’m a geek and i’m not ashamed of it. So tonight damnit, i’m gonna talk about some video games. Over the years the gaming industry has been in the midst of the overwhelming popularity of rhythm-based games. From the Japanese import Dance Dance Revolution to console classics like Parappa the Rapper that was released in the mid 90’s and one of the first rhythm video games of it’s time. It’s interesting as music and video games go hand in hand and they both gain much from each other with broadening the landscape and the popularity of rhythm games to the mainstream public is growing everyday. Did that sentence make any sense? I’m pretty sure it made no sense. The fact of the matter is these type of video games are here to stay, and they are fun as hell.
I’ll be honest that the genre has become quite stale as of late, with constant rehashes of the same basic formula. From multiple dance and karaoke clones, the genre needed a shot in the arm. Something that people aren’t shamed to play like DDR and that could be acceptable by almost anyone as a quality party game. Well last November that game was bestowed upon us and it was called Guitar Hero. I mean seriously, this game is like an excuse for everyone who’s ever made themselves look like a fool trying to air guitar. Would you rather dance to some crappy j-pop on your dancepad or rock out by strapping on a Gibson SG and rocking the fuck out to Judas Priest? For some the answer is simple, and if you agree with the latter than this game is just for you.
Ever since I bought this game, (I bought two, to have two guitars!) i’ve been absolutely addicted. Music games have always been great party games, but this takes it to a completely different level. I remember when I brought this over to my friend’s house which by the way they never like anything I bring over. They were hesitant at first, but once you’re watching someone pick up that guitar peripheral and start wailing like an idiot to rock songs people actually know….well you start to peak people’s interest enormously. I’m not a big fan of metal and stuff like that, but there’s this sense of power when you pick up that piece of plastic. It’s infectious and once people put that guitar on, they can’t help but enjoy what they’re doing.
I mean look at that thing, it’s modeled after a Gibson SG and playing the game with it is almost like handling a real guitar in your hands. It has five frets, a strummer thing (no strings), a whammy bar. Those who actually know how to play guitar, unlike myself, will find it incorporates techniques a guitarist would normally use with hammer-ons, pull-offs and all that jazz. I’m not familiar with all these technical guitar terms, but it plays enough like a guitar to not complain. This is also not some easy fluff either, I can’t beat most of the harder songs on expert….it’s completely ridiculous.
Anyways, to those who know of the game’s brilliance already…well you can just skip everything I just said. The real news is that the sequel is coming out this Tuesday. Besides brand new songs, 40 licensed tracks with 64 total, there will be some nice features added. One of these are a very much needed practice mode and an interesting co-op mode where one person will be playing lead and the other can either play rhythm or bass guitar. Lots of interesting stuff, and you can read more here.
What we’re really here to see is the song list. With the first game, all of the songs though well-known, are basically just covers. The nice thing was that they were all recreated flawlessly despite having some very poor vocal reproduction. It adds a lot having all these songs being almost note for note from their originals. Anyways, if you’re interested in the complete list than here it is for you. If you have a ps2 than you’d be wise to pick this one up on Tuesday. Sorry if this post turns anyone off, it’s nice to be able to talk about something different here every once in a while.
1. Opening Licks
* “Shout at the Devil” – Mötley Crüe
* “Mother” – Danzig
* “Surrender” – Cheap Trick
* “Woman” – Wolfmother
* “Tonight I’m Gonna Rock You Tonight” – Spınal Tap
2. Amp-Warmers
* “Strutter” – KISS
* “Heart-Shaped Box” – Nirvana
* “Message in a Bottle” – The Police
* “You Really Got Me” – Van Halen
* “Carry On Wayward Son” – Kansas
3. String-Snappers
* “Monkey Wrench” – Foo Fighters
* “Them Bones” – Alice in Chains
* “Search and Destroy” – Iggy Pop and The Stooges
* “Tattooed Love Boys” – The Pretenders
* “War Pigs” – Black Sabbath
4. Thrash and Burn
* “Cherry Pie” – Warrant
* “Who Was in My Room Last Night?” – Butthole Surfers
* “Girlfriend” – Matthew Sweet
5. Return of the Shred
* “Killing in the Name” – Rage Against the Machine
* “John the Fisherman” – Primus
* “Freya” – The Sword
* “Bad Reputation” – Thin Lizzy
* “Last Child” – Aerosmith
6. Relentless Riffs
* “Crazy on You” – Heart
* “Trippin’ On a Hole in a Paper Heart” – Stone Temple Pilots
* “Rock This Town” – Stray Cats
* “Jessica” – The Allman Brothers Band
* “Stop!” – Jane’s Addiction
7. Furious Fretwork
* “Madhouse” – Anthrax
* “Carry Me Home” – The Living End
* “Laid to Rest” – Lamb of God
* “Psychobilly Freakout” – The Reverend Horton Heat
* “YYZ” – Rush
8. Face-Melters
* “Beast and the Harlot” – Avenged Sevenfold
* “Institutionalized” – Suicidal Tendencies
* “Misirlou” – Dick Dale
* “Hangar 18″ – Megadeth
* “Free Bird” – Lynyrd Skynyrd
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so much variety on Guitar Hero, too… this comic says it all: http://www.xkcd.com/c132.html
You don’t ever need to apologize for praising Guitar Hero! I first came across it at a house-party, it immediately hooked me.
And check out Best Buy next time you need an extra controller, they have them sans bundle.
I’m glad i’m not the only one that loves this game. Have you seen the exclusive guitar for the xbox 360 version? Pretty sweet I must say.
um none of the links work just so you know