Guitar Hero On Tour
I've flipped Metal Gear Solid 4, so it's time to move on to another game. Val got me a DS Lite and a new game called Guitar Hero On Tour (so now I think we have a total of 4 DS Lites in our house - it's crazy, but we all want to play different games, so we now each have our own - well, Val has 2 :-P ). It's been pretty fun. The same music-rhythm gameplay found on the original Guitar Hero series is what you get in this DS version.
The game comes with the "Guitar grip" - an attachment you insert into the DS gamepak slot. It doesn't fit quite right for me - I can reach the first 3 buttons no problem, but my pinky finger has trouble completely pressing down on the last 4th button. It also feels awkward at times when you have to press multiple buttons to make chords - I really have to contort or bend my wrist to accommodate the presses.
You also get a "Pick" stylus - which is a good size and neat concept. You use this to "strum" or "pick" out your notes on the touch screen side.
Now, I'm not that bad with timing and rhythm. I mean, come on...I actually play a real guitar, and I used to play drums. So, you'd think I'd be pwning this game, right?
WRONG.
This game has been hard for me to master. I'm pretty much struggling with playing on the "Hard" levels. And I definitely suck ass on "Expert" level. Medium level is fine (but not always a flawless performance for me), and Easy level is just plain easy. And I kind of blame the game for some of my inadequate playing. Why? Well, I'm sure I'm pressing the buttons and picking at the correct times - but it seems like the game is not sensing it at times - which pisses me off. And since I'm pretty much stuck at Medium and Hard levels in Career mode, I won't be able to unlock everything the game has to offer.
There's also some modes of the game that I don't care for - that's the multiplayer and battle mode. I'm pretty much satisfied playing practice mode - 'cause I'm trying to perfect my playing in order to get back on track in career mode.
I find that playing the game for more than 10 minutes really kills your wrist and fingers. It's just not ergonomically friendly. It's such a great idea, but practically it's painful. Even though it gives you start-up warning screens telling you to stop playing if you start hurting, or start-up instruction screens telling you the best position, it just doesn't help.
And the playlist - some are hit songs you'll remember - No Doubt's "Spiderwebs", Maroon 5's "This Love", Smash Mouth's "All Star". And some songs are oldies that I don't care for, but I'm still playing them. There's a few of them that I've never even heard of until playing this game.
But still, this game is a challenge and fun to play. And you're able to customize the skin that sits inside of the grip peripheral - but for a price, of course :-P
I haven't gotten into playing the "Rock Band" game just yet. And I think I'm holding out for Guitar Hero 4 - because that will have a band set as well - drums, guitar, bass, and mic. We subscribe to Game Informer Magazine and the most recent issue gave us a preview on this upcoming game. The drum set looks awesome - similar in design to actual professional digital drum sets. So I know it will play well.
So, I'll look forward to getting Guitar Hero 4, but until then, this On Tour version for the DS will have to do :-D
We should have a Rock Band date when you get back! It's so much fun. I've played at the Rally Point in Agana. It's $12/hour. My mom bought a Wii, and I looked at the Rock Band game but it's like $170+ at Game Stop ... so that'll have to wait for me save up some pennies. Plus, I'd be the only one here playing it. It's best when you play it with friends. Then you can threaten to kick each other out for sucking. ;)
Posted by
sabete |
7/19/2008 04:25:00 PM
I looked at the DS Guitar Hero - but everything you said was wrong with it is why I haven't bought it. It looks really awkward. I'd rather get the one for the Wii and play on the fake guitar.
Posted by
sabete |
7/19/2008 04:27:00 PM
Cool :-D I'd love to "jam" with you! I'll let you know when I have an available day off when I come back home...I don't know my work schedule just yet.
Posted by
ronnie |
7/20/2008 11:11:00 PM