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| The Entertainment Review |
| Genre: Music Developer: Beenox Publisher: Activision |
When the original “Guitar Hero made its way to the PS2, it was obvious that the music genre that was dominated by games like “Dance
Dance Revolution” would be changed forever. “Guitar Hero II” was met with even more enthusiasm as people who had played the first
game wanted more new titles to play, and the game delivered. Then “Guitar Hero Encore: Rock the ‘80s” was released, followed by
“Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock,” “Guitar Hero: Aerosmith,” “Guitar Hero: World Tour” and then “Guitar Hero: Metallica.”
Now, with the release of “Guitar Hero: Smash Hits” players will be introduced to the first game in the series to not offer any new
material. The game instead is a compilation of some of the best tracks from all of the Guitar Hero games. The song list is great,
though there are some songs that should have been dropped for others, but a great set list nonetheless.
The largest problem is the fact that players have played all of these songs before. It’s possible that players are new to the franchise, in
which case it will all be new. This doesn’t change the fact that this game is simply a remix of all the past games with the addition of the
ability to play all the games with a full band. While that is a great addition, it should have been offered a DLC.
The game’s main features is the same as those of “Guitar Hero: World Tour” with a couple of additions from “Guitar Hero: Metallica,”
such as the Expert+ setting for drummers on select songs. The gig based structure is now gone and players will use the set list to
choose which song they will play. Players will start with a small number of songs and unlock more by accruing a certain number of
stars. This means that players will be able to skip any songs that they are having trouble with and still make it through the game.
There are two main issues that the game has. The first is the inclusion of purple lines and notes for using the touch pad on the newest
guitar. Players can play there notes without strumming. In these cases when the notes appear, the sections are much easier than they
were originally as players can simply tap their way through a solo instead of have to choose the note and strum.
The other main complaint is that some of the mixes sound off. The guitar is drowned out, the bass is cranked up and the whole song
booms a little too much. This is very obvious when players have heard a song many times and the mix in the game is slightly different,
it is obvious. This means that if players are buying the game for a few songs, they may be disappointed with the sound of the track.
One odd thing that players will notice with the Career mode is that when players start a single player career, they are able to create a
logo and set a band name. However, when they go in to play as a band, they are not able to set the logo or name. The interface that
was used in “Guitar hero: World Tour” was diluted, but it worked. However, players don’t even get the option here. One problem with
this is that they can’t have two active bands at a time, so if players plan on having different sets of friends separately, it isn’t possible
now. Granted, the progression is very simple and they’re not building up fans or anything, players can’t have the reward of working
through the tracks with more than one group of people at a time. Players would be able to load a different account or save file and work
from that, but it would take an awful lot of extra work.
One carryover from “Guitar Hero: Metallica” is that every song is immediately unlocked and available to play in the Quick Play mode.
Some players like this, other players don’t, but this game allows players to jump right into the hardest tracks of the game right from the
very beginning.
There is one more very important thing that needs to be mentioned here that the game is a standalone title. It does not support any of
the DLC from “Guitar Hero: World Tour” or allow the option of playing downloaded tracks at all. It does allow players to play music
created in GH Tunes, but most people have tried this once or twice and forgot about it. While all of this is still a fine game, it is
frustrating that downloaded songs can’t be played in this version. The big question is, why would players want to buy a game that is
filled with songs that were already available in previous titles?
“Guitar Hero: Smash hits” is the definition of milking a franchise. It is true that the set list is great and if players have never played these
tracks before, there is a lot of fun to be had. Even in players have played them all, being able to sit down and play the drums on all of
them or sing the vocals of the song can be a lot of fun as well. Sadly, there are a lot of presentation issues that will bother a large
number of fans of the series, and the fact the DLC can’t be used in the game is disappointing, but hopefully the next release will bring a
lot of new content for players to enjoy.
Dance Revolution” would be changed forever. “Guitar Hero II” was met with even more enthusiasm as people who had played the first
game wanted more new titles to play, and the game delivered. Then “Guitar Hero Encore: Rock the ‘80s” was released, followed by
“Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock,” “Guitar Hero: Aerosmith,” “Guitar Hero: World Tour” and then “Guitar Hero: Metallica.”
Now, with the release of “Guitar Hero: Smash Hits” players will be introduced to the first game in the series to not offer any new
material. The game instead is a compilation of some of the best tracks from all of the Guitar Hero games. The song list is great,
though there are some songs that should have been dropped for others, but a great set list nonetheless.
The largest problem is the fact that players have played all of these songs before. It’s possible that players are new to the franchise, in
which case it will all be new. This doesn’t change the fact that this game is simply a remix of all the past games with the addition of the
ability to play all the games with a full band. While that is a great addition, it should have been offered a DLC.
The game’s main features is the same as those of “Guitar Hero: World Tour” with a couple of additions from “Guitar Hero: Metallica,”
such as the Expert+ setting for drummers on select songs. The gig based structure is now gone and players will use the set list to
choose which song they will play. Players will start with a small number of songs and unlock more by accruing a certain number of
stars. This means that players will be able to skip any songs that they are having trouble with and still make it through the game.
There are two main issues that the game has. The first is the inclusion of purple lines and notes for using the touch pad on the newest
guitar. Players can play there notes without strumming. In these cases when the notes appear, the sections are much easier than they
were originally as players can simply tap their way through a solo instead of have to choose the note and strum.
The other main complaint is that some of the mixes sound off. The guitar is drowned out, the bass is cranked up and the whole song
booms a little too much. This is very obvious when players have heard a song many times and the mix in the game is slightly different,
it is obvious. This means that if players are buying the game for a few songs, they may be disappointed with the sound of the track.
One odd thing that players will notice with the Career mode is that when players start a single player career, they are able to create a
logo and set a band name. However, when they go in to play as a band, they are not able to set the logo or name. The interface that
was used in “Guitar hero: World Tour” was diluted, but it worked. However, players don’t even get the option here. One problem with
this is that they can’t have two active bands at a time, so if players plan on having different sets of friends separately, it isn’t possible
now. Granted, the progression is very simple and they’re not building up fans or anything, players can’t have the reward of working
through the tracks with more than one group of people at a time. Players would be able to load a different account or save file and work
from that, but it would take an awful lot of extra work.
One carryover from “Guitar Hero: Metallica” is that every song is immediately unlocked and available to play in the Quick Play mode.
Some players like this, other players don’t, but this game allows players to jump right into the hardest tracks of the game right from the
very beginning.
There is one more very important thing that needs to be mentioned here that the game is a standalone title. It does not support any of
the DLC from “Guitar Hero: World Tour” or allow the option of playing downloaded tracks at all. It does allow players to play music
created in GH Tunes, but most people have tried this once or twice and forgot about it. While all of this is still a fine game, it is
frustrating that downloaded songs can’t be played in this version. The big question is, why would players want to buy a game that is
filled with songs that were already available in previous titles?
“Guitar Hero: Smash hits” is the definition of milking a franchise. It is true that the set list is great and if players have never played these
tracks before, there is a lot of fun to be had. Even in players have played them all, being able to sit down and play the drums on all of
them or sing the vocals of the song can be a lot of fun as well. Sadly, there are a lot of presentation issues that will bother a large
number of fans of the series, and the fact the DLC can’t be used in the game is disappointing, but hopefully the next release will bring a
lot of new content for players to enjoy.
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