This week saw the release of 2 new editions to the Guitar Hero family – but I doubt I am the only one who is still waiting for the most promising GH of 2008!
Guitar Hero: Aerosmith is the first GH game focusing on one band or artist. Following their rise to fame, the game takes you back to high school for Aerosmith’s early days up too their biggest hits of recent years. On the way there are plenty of non-Aerosmith songs to aid the variation without straying too far from the vision of keeping it about one band. Personally, I’m not an Aerosmith fan and there isn’t enough in this GH3 spin off to make me buy it. Maybe I will rent it, and see If I change my mind.
Guitar Hero: On Tour is the breakaway venture taking the GH franchise to the handheld devices. Designed for the Nintendo DS, the revolutionary ”guitar grip” attachment allows for mobile shredding. I got my hands on one of these today in a Gaming Shop, and it isnt as gimmicky as it sounds/looks but god forbid you be left handed!
These two new games are a sign that Guitar Hero is not going to fold to Rock Band’s pressure. In fact, this is just the beginning. The next installment will of course be Guitar Hero World Tour. A sublime leap forward for console rhythm gaming. I was all set to go out and purchase an XBox 360 just so i could get Rock Band (it is only available on the 360 in the UK at the moment!) but before I could relieve myself of £189 ($300+) plus the price of another game console, I read about GH:WT! I will be saving my hard earned cash and purchasing the superior music/rhythm game. (Editor’s Note: Rock Band 2 doesn’t look half bad either)
These two new games are a sign that Guitar Hero is not going to fold to Rock Band’s pressure.
Also, not content with trying to overtake Rock Band, GH:Aerosmith and GH:On Tour will be actually heading out on tour with the “American Idols” in the coming months. And Rolling along for the ride will be the demo version of World Tour! With Rock Band appearing at various festivals across the US this summer, has GH taken it one step further and actually joined a “tour” albeit not a world one?
Its a tough choice ahead for those of you who already own Rock Band. I mean come on, be realistic - how many plastic based peripherals do I “actually” have the room for? In fact – that sounds like a whole other discussion to me!
This can also be read at celineellis’ blog Celine Is A Geek
