Guitar Hero: The U.S. equivalent to Guitar Freaks

[Oobgarm]

I noticed this one on my radar a while back, particularly since it's being done by Harmonix, the people behind Frequency, Amplitude, and the Karaoke Revolution games. RedOctane is publishing it(much like this year's In The Groove), and they're also making a guitar to be used while playing the game. It looks to be an excellent blend of Amplitude and Guitar Freaks.

The guys over at Penny Arcade updated their site (http://www.penny-arcade.com/news.php?date=2005-09-19) today with some impressions of it, as they met with Harmonix recently.

It's advertised to have over 30 songs, past and present-just about something for everyone. I've seen these songs mentioned thus far:

-- Red Hot Chili Peppers - Higher Ground
-- Boston - More than a Feeling
-- Megadeth - Symphony of Destruction
-- The Donnas - Take it Off
-- Jimi Hendrix - Spanish Castle Magic
-- ZZ Top - Sharp Dressed Man
-- Black Sabbath - Iron Man
-- White Zombie - Thunderkiss 65
-- Queens of the Stone Age - No One Knows
-- David Bowie - Ziggy Stardust
-- The Ramones - I Wanna Be Sedated
-- Franz Ferdinand - Take Me Out
-- Deep Purple - Smoke on the Water
-- Cream - Crossroads
-- Sum 41 - Fat Lip
-- Pantera - Cowboys From Hell

I've also seen mention of Helmet and Bad Religion as inclusions. There has also been a contest for bands to send in their stuff to be included in the games as bonus tracks.

Supposedly it's out Novemeber 1st...but it might slip from that date. List price is $79.99.

To quote davidbrit:


COMMENCE RAGING HARD-ON.

http://www.guitarherogame.com

[Kroogah]

I hate the RedOctane guitar controllers, but I'll probably end up buying this just for "Spanish Castle Magic" and especially "Cowboys From Hell". Hot DAMN.

[Six Switch]

this should be good

[petewhitley]

Sounds pretty good, but $79.99? C'mon. Donkey Konga put 'em out at a reasonable price, and this is more than the Konami/DDR combo for chrissakes. That RedOctane guitar can't cost that much more than a mat. Who knows.

[punkoffgirl]

I just peed my pants. I think I'm going to have to break out the credit card.

[davidbrit2]

I think I'm going to wait for the final reviews to come in so I know a little bit more about the guitar controller they're bundling. If they just try to shove a bunch of their Topway guitar backstock into the bundles, then I'm not touching that with a 10m pole. Those Topways SUCK. But if they're making an all new guitar like they claim, then YAY. Hopefully it'll work with Guitar Freaks, too. Heh. If it does, then the bundle will be worth every penny.

[Austin]

Awesome song list. I love these types of games, but that price tag hurts a bit!

[heyricochet]

Bah, they can't do the bass properly for Higher Ground, but otherwise it'll be awesome and I'm debating about plunking down 80 for it.

[Mr.FoodMonster]

Well, they aren't using any current stock of guitars, because this game is supposed to have 5 (yes, 5!) different buttons, not like Guitar Freaks' 3. So, theres a little bit of added challenge for you.

[davidbrit2]

Well, they aren't using any current stock of guitars, because this game is supposed to have 5 (yes, 5!) different buttons, not like Guitar Freaks' 3. So, theres a little bit of added challenge for you.

The shitty Topway guitars, which Red Octane currently sells, have exactly 5 neck buttons. So I'm understandably wary.

[Oobgarm]

Well, they aren't using any current stock of guitars, because this game is supposed to have 5 (yes, 5!) different buttons, not like Guitar Freaks' 3. So, theres a little bit of added challenge for you.

The shitty Topway guitars, which Red Octane currently sells, have exactly 5 neck buttons. So I'm understandably wary.

But I'd say the inclusion of a whammy bar might help ease the wariness. Plus, Gibson has lent their trademarked body styles to the game, and the guitar controller is supposedly an SG. I don't think Gibson would lend their name/image to a sub-par product.

[Mianrtcv]

$80.00 . I've spent more for less.

The issue is here... where the hell does it go. My R/O/D is busting. Seriously. There is no physical space. Who am I kidding, there is always somewhere...

[Austin]

Yeah, I just took the time to look at this online. I guess I'm going to have to splurge and treat myself. Game looks like too much fun, and I'm a big fan of Harmonix.

[Cmosfm]

Already pre-ordered a month ago and put down 50.00 on it, so I'm ready to go!

[devilman]

I wonder what the odds are of it getting a PAL release? Pretty slim I'd imagine. I only have a UK and a Jap PS2 though so I might end up forking out for a US machine just to play this game... this could be expensive!

[GameSlaveGaz]

Saw the set list...WHOOOO!

Rumor that the guitar controller is SG shaped....WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

If it's $80, I'm waiting, but I HAVE to have that game. I Love games like that. If only they'd make an American drummania. I should just get a mod chip...GRR I need more monies for gameses!

[heyricochet]

To shut you all up about the controller I found a picture for you :-p official website even! Cmon people.

http://www.guitarherogame.com/controller.asp

[Oobgarm]

To shut you all up about the controller I found a picture for you :-p official website even! Cmon people.

http://www.guitarherogame.com/controller.asp

Cmon, that's a mock-up. The general muddiness gives that away. Look at the buttons.

[heyricochet]

The buttons and the strap pins look almost exactly like the ones I have on my guitar freaks guitar. I'm pretty sure thats what it will be.

[davidbrit2]

The buttons and the strap pins look almost exactly like the ones I have on my guitar freaks guitar. I'm pretty sure thats what it will be.

That's what worries me. Those Topway Guitar Freaks controllers they sell flat out SUCK.

[hezeuschrist]

The song list already kicks ass. Pantera, Sabbath, Zombie, Megadeth? That's exactly what Guitar Freaks is missing.

[Mr.FoodMonster]

Some more news.

The controller isn't going to suck.
http://www.guitarherogame.com/controller.asp

Some other info on it as well there. $70 seems to be the price, but concidering its not just a drum or anything, its reasonable. Would I have prefered it to be $60? You bet, but I guess its just not possible (I bet Beatmania will be $70 as well)
http://redoctane.com/guitarhero-bundle.html
Box art looks simple, I like it.

[petewhitley]

Some more news.

The controller isn't going to suck.
http://www.guitarherogame.com/controller.asp

I don't know how you can verify that through a paid advertisement for the game.

[Kroogah]

That was posted by heyricochet! And that still doesn't tell me if it's an improvement on the Topway's awful strum bar...guess it's gonna be a "wait-until-release" kind of thing.

[Mr.FoodMonster]

Some more news.

The controller isn't going to suck.
http://www.guitarherogame.com/controller.asp

I don't know how you can verify that through a paid advertisement for the game.
What I meant is that it isnt going to be the stock of crap guitars that are currently sold. I guess just saying it wont suck wasn't the best, but its not the topway ones.

[Mr.FoodMonster]

Some more news.

The controller isn't going to suck.
http://www.guitarherogame.com/controller.asp

I don't know how you can verify that through a paid advertisement for the game.
What I meant is that it isnt going to be the stock of crap guitars that are currently sold. I guess just saying it wont suck wasn't the best, but its not the topway ones.

[norkusa]

Is anyone else here a lefty? After I pre-ordered this, I realized that I might have problems using the guitar and playing the game left-handed. From the pic, it looks like I could easily move the strap knob to the other side of the guitar so I'd be able to wear it. Looks like using the whammy bar will still be a problem though.

But does anyone know what the gameplay will be like? What I'm worried about is since I'm going to be holding the guitar backwards, are the notes on the screen going to be backwards too? What I mean is since the colors on the keys are green, red, yellow, blue & orange going left to right, are the notes on screen going to appear reversed to me? I haven't seen any screenshots of this game yet, so I have no idea how it'll play.

[Kroogah]

But does anyone know what the gameplay will be like? What I'm worried about is since I'm going to be holding the guitar backwards, are the notes on the screen going to be backwards too? What I mean is since the colors on the keys are green, red, yellow, blue & orange going left to right, are the notes on screen going to appear reversed to me? I haven't seen any screenshots of this game yet, so I have no idea how it'll play.

Judging from the couple of screens I've seen, the notes will scroll like Frequency/Amplitude. And you raise a good question; Guitar Freaks has a code that changes the notes for left-handed players, I wonder if Harmonix thought about that.

[junglehunter]

Good golly, Batman...

MEGA BUMP!

Complete Song List (unlockables left out?):

Audioslave "Cochise"
Boston "More than a Feeling"
Bad Religion "Infected"
Black Sabbath "Iron Man"
Blue Oyster Cult "Godzilla"
David Bowie "Ziggy Stardust"
Burning Brides "Heart Full of Black"
Cream "Crossroads"
Deep Purple "Smoke on the Water"
The Donnas "Take It Off"
The Exies "Hey You"
Franz Ferdinand "Take Me Out"
Helmet "Unsung"
Incubus "Stellar"
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts "I Love Rock 'n' Roll"
Judas Priest "You Got Another Thing Comin"
Jimi Hendrix "Spanish Castle Magic"
Megadeth "Symphony of Destruction"
Motorhead "Ace Of Spades"
Pantera "Cowboys from Hell"
Ozzy Osbourne "Bark at the Moon"
Queen "Killer Queen"
Queens of the Stone Age "No One Knows"
The Ramones "I Wanna Be Sedated"
Red Hot Chili Peppers "Higher Ground"
Stevie Ray Vaughan "Texas Flood"
Sum 41 "Fat Lip"
White Zombie "Thunderkiss '65"
The Edgar Winter Group "Frankenstein"
ZZ Top "Sharp Dressed Man"
Acro-Brats "Call Out"
Anarchy Club "Behind the Mask"
Artillery "The Breaking Wheel"
Count Zero "Sail Your Ship By"
Freezepop "Get Ready 2 Rokk"
Honest Bob and the Factory-to-Dealer Incentives "Hey"
Made In Mexico "Farewell Myth"
Monkey Steals the Peach "Theme from Guitar Hero"
The Model Sons "The Story of My Love"
Shaimus "All of This"
The Bags "Caveman Rejoice"
Din "Fly on the Wall"
Drist "Decontrol"
The Slip "Even Rats"
The Upper Crust "Eureka! I Found Love"
Graveyard BBQ "Cheat on the Church"
Black Label Society "Fire It Up"

Gameplay Videos (http://tinyurl.com/b3t7f)

I simply can't wait for this game! 8-) X_x

[Oobgarm]

Black Label Society?

HOT SHIT.

[ianoid]

Unbelievable- they're including an Upper Crust song?

Now that's CLASSIC ROCK:

http://www.juvalamu.com/crust/

[Mr.FoodMonster]

Wow. What an INSANE song list. I'm buying this on release day for sure. WOW! @_@

[slip81]

I'm broke, but I want this. Maybe it'll be a nice Christmas present to myself :)

[Scoots]

a bunch of local (providence) "underground" musicians/artists designed this game apparantly. solid dudes with legit rock pedigrees and good taste. that song list doesn't kill me but of course you are making concessions to sell this thing to the general public (and they managed to cram in some hot jams nonetheless).

[davidbrit2]

The game has been showing up at Best Buy lately. I picked it up around 11/1. It's fucking awesome. Go buy it. The end.

[devilman]

On the GH forums -

'Please be patient about a PAL release.

We are in discussions with multiple European partners regarding a PAL release.
Other territories are also under discussion/negotiation/planning.

Please patient and stop emailing RO/HMX regarding it.
We are working as quickly as possible on this.

We didn't want to announce anything to misslead anyone but this is as much as we can say.'

*crosses fingers*

[MarkMan]

I got mine early through Best Buy as well. The game is AWESOME to say the least. The reviews are very positive for it as well, just check it out at Gamerankings.com ...

The guitar works/feels well. I hope it lasts in the long run.

The songlist is awesome!

[Six Switch]

i have mine preordered at gamestop,i hope it comes in soon,can't wait...

[devilman]

I read somewhere that the tracks are cover versions - is that the case?

[downfall]

I haven't had this much fun with a game in quite some time. If you buy one game over the next few months - make it this one!

[davidbrit2]

I read somewhere that the tracks are cover versions - is that the case?

Yes, except for the hidden indie tracks.

[devilman]

I shoulda added this to my original post - are the covers any good? I quite liked some of the GF ones out of sheer cheesiness.

[pacmanhat]

I shoulda added this to my original post - are the covers any good? I quite liked some of the GF ones out of sheer cheesiness.

Most of the covers sound amazingly similar to the originals. There are exceptions, but for the most part these are the best sounding covers I've ever heard in a game like this.

[Oobgarm]

I shoulda added this to my original post - are the covers any good? I quite liked some of the GF ones out of sheer cheesiness.

Most of the covers sound amazingly similar to the originals. There are exceptions, but for the most part these are the best sounding covers I've ever heard in a game like this.

Indeed. The music itself is nearly spot-on. The vocals on a few songs are noticably different, like Incubus, Pantera, and Megadeth.

--------------

The folks above are correct. This game is awesome.

The only gripes I have are the size of the buttons on the guitar-they're a little big, so hitting the orange button can really be a chore, especially during a fast solo or arpeggio.

Also, the difficulty of this game really shows once you get into hard mode. Expert is suicide. I pretty much breezed through medium without a problem, save for Bark at the Moon. I switched over to hard and had my ass handed to me. I'm sure I'll get better with more practice. ;)

[Austin]

I just read Gamespot's review of this (9.0/10.0) and now I really can't wait. I just bumped it up a few spots on my "to-buy-when-i-have-the-cash" list.

And a sweet Freezepop track! I can't wait.

[Amy Rose]

On the GH forums -

'Please be patient about a PAL release.

We are in discussions with multiple European partners regarding a PAL release.
Other territories are also under discussion/negotiation/planning.

Please patient and stop emailing RO/HMX regarding it.
We are working as quickly as possible on this.

We didn't want to announce anything to misslead anyone but this is as much as we can say.'

*crosses fingers*
Ohhhhhhh yeah! [/Duffman]

This better come out in PAL. Come to think of it, so should Taiko Drum Master.

[Six Switch]

kinda lame that they are covers,but i should have expected that.every other music game is pretty much the same.but i will be picking this up tomorrow,looking forward to it.

[LiquidPolicenaut]

I'm also interested in playing this one too, but they should have had at least ONE Van halen song! On the issue of covers, I understand...and yet I don't. How come the songs in Frequency and Amplitude are from the real artists and not covers while the ones in Guitar hero are covers?

[Cmosfm]

kinda lame that they are covers,but i should have expected that.every other music game is pretty much the same.but i will be picking this up tomorrow,looking forward to it.

I was kinda dissapointed in that they were covers as well, but honestly, if you didn't tell me they were...it would have taken me a LONG time to figure it out. These covers are damn near spot on, even Ozzy.

I'm loving the hell out of this game. BTW, when you're playing...STAND UP AND PLAY! May not sound like much, but I wasn't having fun until I got out of my chair, stood up, and started rockin' like hell. This game is awesome.

[Jasoco]

If it were a bit cheaper, I'd get it for my guitar learning brother. Maybe by his birthday... in 2 years.

[davepesc]

Glad to hear this is good. I can't wait to try it out...And I suck at rhythm games, so I usually avoid them.

[Mr.FoodMonster]

Well, I got it today, and played for 4 and a half hours straight. I unlocked everything but a couple skins in Medium mode, and I got atleast 4 stars in all but I think 2 songs. This game is so god-damned awesome.



And a sweet Freezepop track! I can't wait.
If you've heard the song they have in the game on their cd (Ready 2 Rokk) dont expect it to sound the same. An added guitar part makes it sound sooo much more awesome. Freezepop is such a good group.

[Six Switch]

oh yeah i picked this up today.and after a hour or so i have to say it is awesome.just like real guitar i am much better sitting down and easy mode is...well,easy.

good game,worth the money i think.

[Jestr]

Did anyone ever answer if the game will work for left handed people? I went on the official site and didn't find anything. Can someone help out?

[Six Switch]

yes,you can change the set up to lefty in the game.

you can,indeed,rock.

[Mr.FoodMonster]

Well, I've reached a wall. The last three songs on expert are totally impossible. I guess I just need to play some more of the 'easier' expert songs.

[Six Switch]

i am having trouble with hard.

this shit is haaaaaaard

[Beefy Hits]

OT, but did I see a listing on EB.com for Beatmania for PS2 in January?

[davidbrit2]

That is correct. The actual release date currently isn't any more specific than early 2006. I think they might be going for a spring release.

[ChronoTriggaFoo]

I just bought this tonight at Best Buy, and my girlfriend and I have been having a blast with it!!

Where can I find another guitar to do some killer duo's?? I've seen the multiplayer-packs on eBay, but I've already got the one set and don't want to drop another $75.

GREAT GAME!!

[sisko]

I just bought this tonight at Best Buy, and my girlfriend and I have been having a blast with it!!

Where can I find another guitar to do some killer duo's?? I've seen the multiplayer-packs on eBay, but I've already got the one set and don't want to drop another $75.

GREAT GAME!!

The standalone controller launches on the 30th. It's priced at $40.

[ChronoTriggaFoo]

Oh ok, thanks Sisko.

Was an actual multiplayer bundle released? I've seen them on eBay, but nowhere else.

[ProgrammingAce]

I think you can only get the multiplayer bundle off of the red octane site.

This is one of the best games i've ever played. I love it. I suck at playing a real guitar, but this game is awesome. One of my friends has the game too, and the multiplayer is awesome.

[davepesc]

I got this game for Christmas and my wife and I are loving it.

I'm a hack guitar player and while the game obviously will not teach you to play guitar, the ingame progressions feel like they make sense as you play. What I mean is, to me, in a lot of rhythm games I feel like what you are asked to do has little if anything to do whith the music you are hearing, but with this game, you feel like your actions are influincing the game, not vice-versa. I also appreciate how your mistakes effect the music.

I beat easy the day after christmas and I'm struggling through Crossroads on medium.

[Jed]

I ordered a bundle from Red Octane yesterday. I played the game on a standard controller and it was still cool there, so I could imagine how awesome it's gonna be on the guitar.

[MrRoboto19XX]

A friend of mine traded his copy into Gamestop, but they didnt take the controllers, so he gave it to me.

Needless to say I immediately had some friends over and it wasa blast, This is such a great party game!

I read the interview in last months EGM (the "Afterthoughts" feature) and it sounds like there could be hope for a sequel.

They need to add some Clapton to the mix. Clapton puts Hendrix to shame.

Thats right, I said it.

[Mr.FoodMonster]

A friend of mine traded his copy into Gamestop, but they didnt take the controllers, so he gave it to me.

Why on earth would he trade this game in?!? Did he just flat-out suck at it or what? And what good is the game without a controller?

[davepesc]

They need to add some Clapton to the mix. Clapton puts Hendrix to shame.

Thats right, I said it.

Did I not just say I was struggling through "Crossroads"?

[hezeuschrist]

I just bought this tonight at Best Buy, and my girlfriend and I have been having a blast with it!!

Where can I find another guitar to do some killer duo's?? I've seen the multiplayer-packs on eBay, but I've already got the one set and don't want to drop another $75.

GREAT GAME!!

Man, I've been at two different best buys every day since christmas looking for this game and I've obviously not been able to get my hands on it. They're expecting shipments any day and apparently the closest store with some in stock is a good 2 hours away.

I'm really tempted to go drop $70 at the red octane site and just use my Best Buy gift certs for more DS games, but I REALLY want Guitar Hero.

If anyone knows of any Best Buys in the southeast MI area that have this in I'd be grateful to know ;)

[MrRoboto19XX]

Did I not just say I was struggling through "Crossroads"?

Sorry about that, I meant "more" Clapton, one of those deals where your eyes dont catch it when youre skimming through what youve written. That being said does anyone think that an Acoustic song could work for this?

Im thinking of how insane "Dueling Banjos" would be with multiplayer.

[le geek]

I finally played this game at Christmas and man what a fun game. This is definitely game of the year for me...

Cheers,
Ben

[ianoid]

I've been having a blast playing this game and watching myself progress. You can't help but learn it, and playing songs you've already beat is really fun, especially if you really like the song. It's funny that some songs I would scoff at to listen to are just a blast to play. And then I begin to really like the song.

So, yes there is a provision for lefties in this game. I'd like to try it lefty as I'm right handed and most of the coordination in the game is in the neck. Since you don't have to choose a string to pluck, the right hand in right hand mode is pretty much just keeping rhythm with the more complicated left hand motion.

My wife makes fun of my when I play this game- she calls it my clown guitar.

[Howie6925]

I am totally in love with this game, its one of the best games I played all year. Right now I am getting my ass kicked on sum 41 fat lip on medium :embarrassed: just going into the chords oh man it is hard. MY brother in law was over the other day and he plays guitar and in a band was having a hard time with it. Whats funny though is that he want to trade his $800 washburn guitar to me for a copy of this game and $100.

[Mr.Bitter]

I bought this the other day, played the tutorial for about 5 minutes when the game said it couldn't recognize the guitar controller. I tried a standard PS2 controller in the port and it worked fine.

Has anyone else had a wonky guitar controller? Or has anyone had an issue playing it on a first gen PS2?

I returned my copy and was unable to find another one so I just ordered one through Red Octane.

[kainemaxwell]

Played this at a party I was at last night, loved it!