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It's The Same Thing

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: August 08, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I couldn't wait for rocks the 80's to come out but when i got i felt like i was playing 2. The songs in 2 are better. They have the same guitars and people. It's just not worth the 50$ i spent on this game

THE Guitar Hero

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: August 08, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I just recently found the GHII game and fell in love with it. It is a great game to play as a family. It's fun seeing my 7-year-old jam to the songs I listened to as a teenage, and it is a great bonding experience for me and my 15-year-old step son.

As I grew up in the 80's, I was very excited to see this 80's version. I am slightly disappointed in the song selection however. I guess I expected more of the big-hair rock bands and less of the pop selections. Also, the songs are almost too easy to play, even on medium through about level 5. Once I got through to some more challenging songs, I was happier.

It's not a bad game, just was expecting to be taken back to my teenage years, and it just didn't happen.

A Satisfying Substitute Until Guitar Hero III

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: August 09, 2007
Author: Amazon User

This is more of an expantion than an acutal Guitar Hero sequel, ala the "Encore" title and not actually being called "III". That being said, this game is worth having in your collection if you just want to expand your song list for game play. But, if you don't like 80s music, then you definitely won't like this game. It is like a hardcore metal head game appealing to a hip hop star. You really do have to like the music to get what is good out of the game.

There are some faults, some of the songs are dull. For fans of the 80s, there could have been a better selection of songs than what is given. I find myself just playing the select few over and over, but some songs I like to avoid. Eh. Overall, I think that you will enjoy this game, at least long enough for GH3 to get released (only IF you are an 80s fan). Otherwise, just avoid this game, it'd be a waste of money.

Disapointed in general

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: August 23, 2007
Author: Amazon User

This game ahs too few songs and aren't as well put together as GH1 or GH2. The easy and medium settings feel far to easy and then have a burst of very unexpected (but entertaining) difficulty then go back to maddeningly dull. The Hard setting is still easier than GH2s, I never played hard on GH1, and feels like it is a trainer for GH2. Although many of the songs are fun it reminded me just how repetitive many pop songs get.

Nice to have new songs, but should be more at this price

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: August 28, 2007
Author: Amazon User

If'n you like to play any of the GH titles, this one will be just as much fun. Gameplay is like GH2. It's nice to have new songs to play! Just wish some things weren't left out. Less characters, no songs to buy, and a set list that could be at least 5 songs longer. With all of the great 80's songs out there, this shouldn't have been a problem. Full price for a not so full game. But a nice version of GH none the less.

This Game Rocks

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: September 11, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I really enjoyed jamming to the 80s. When you pick a fast song and are doing good, your hands catch on fire! This is really fun. I own all of the Guitar Hero PS2 games, and this is one of my favorites!

Great, but wish it had more well known bands

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: September 28, 2007
Author: Amazon User

The game is as great as all of them are; however, my only complaint is that I was expecting more of the well known bands and songs. For example, Guns and Roses, Def Leopard, AC/DC, White Snake, Metallica, etc... Still, the game is great. The buying experience was excellent as always from Amazon.

I would recommend this game, but don't buy it thinking you will be swimming in "big hair band" euphoric nostalgia.

Short-lived Guitar Hero Fun

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: October 30, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Let's keep it brief. I don't think the producers need to make this game any differently. The classic concept is well-maintained; guitar hero: encore or any following sequels do not need to change the layout of the game. However, for those who "Want to Rock", this game will be a disappointment.

One huge problem. VERY short songlist + NO bonus tracks = poor game execution. The game series will always be fun, but it's ridiculously short-lived in this paticular installment. Words of advice?...

Save your money. Wait for Guitar Hero III (out now). If you have to play GH: Encore, rent it or go to a friend's house who already has it- you could probably knock out one difficulty mode easily in a night.

Then again, if you're a diehard gamer who needs to complete the collection, I empathize with you- by all means, purchase it. But for the rest of you... well you get the drift.

Too much Aquanet on the GAMEPLAY; its stiff and boring.

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: July 30, 2007
Author: Amazon User

On paper, Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80's was a title that seemed to be a justifiably encouraging concept. The first two titles in the GH series had developed phenomenal critical acclaim and a monstrous fanbase. Then there was the shakeup with the two factions behind the series being purchased separately and split up; Red Octane and the Guitar Hero name went with Activision, Harmonix was bought up by MTV.

Apparently Harmonix wasn't thrilled with the idea of still having to work on what was now the competitor's franchise, and did a good deal of phoning in the work on this entry. As many before me have stated, this was a minimalist effort; only a handful of the characters make an appearance, and while their default outfits are well done throw backs to the quirky duds of the 80's, they inexplicably have no alterior outfits to purchase. No Bonus tracks to purchase...while the bonus tracks have never done a great deal for me, they DID extend the life of the first two titles when you had finished milking your favorite mainstream tunes dry.

The game interface and play in general is all ripped from Guitar Hero II with some aesthetic changes (primarily with the coloring), to match the 80's theme. Not that it needed to be terribly different than GHII, they obviously were thinking of GHE:RT80'S as an expansion pack to the highly successful second installment. Even thinking in that regard though, it felt like they left a lot to be done....especially charging full price for the admission. $50 was a good chunk of change for something that obviously didn't take much effort to produce.

To the game's benefit, the track list is pretty solid. There are some glaring omissions from an 80's-centric GH title to be sure, but they hit on some of the more recognizable tracks of the time. Twisted Sister, Ratt and the Scorpions are here to represent the Glam Metal Movement. The 80's Pop that brings back bittersweet nostalgia is provided via such tracks as Flock of Seagulls "I Ran (So Far Away)", "The Warrior" by Scandal, and the suprisingly enjoyable "Turning Japanese" by the Vapors. Overall, its an entertaining set, but in general these are second stringers when thinking of the most successful songs of the 80's. What came next though is what made me think this little spinoff is "totally grody."

I forgave the price because I love the gameplay of Guitar Hero enough to look past the apparent fact of being ripped off. I forgave the overall simplistic presentation, again due to the gameplay. I even forgave the somewhat questionable setlist and lack of bonus tracks because of the joy of rocking out on this plastic Guitar Controller. So, when I finally sunk my teeth into the game and proceeded to plow through the songs on Medium level (the level I stick with) with impunity, when the challenge of dancing my fingers across the fret buttons was found weak and wanting, even on the much anticipated Anthrax' "Caught in a Mosh" and Extreme's "Play With Me", that's when I gave up on this game. The unique gameplay is Guitar Hero's cornerstone to success....remove the effectivelness of this facet, make it so rote and unengaging that you realize you're not a guitar hero, just a dude or dudette tapping a piece of plastic in the shape of a mini guitar, and you have a game which does not have balance, Mr. Miyagi.

Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80's is worth a rent, certainly, for its unique theme and just to check out a new batch of songs to jam to, but this is unquestionably the black sheep of this Album Collection. It is not "rad", nor "def", nor "totally tubular". Its kinda "spazzy". Many, much as myself, have already or will purchase it to complete their collection, but it will quickly be recognized as a relatively poor investment. If you've wrung all you can out of GH I, II, and III and/or have just watched a John Hughes 80's movie marathon, it will give you some entertainment, but will ultimately prove to be a one night gig.

Encore = More of the Same

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: November 14, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Guitar Hero easily is one of the most famous games out there right now. With its unique controller and the ability to Rock like a Rockstar, everyone can get into it and become a Guitar Hero. The franchise continues in Guitar Hero Encore: Rock the 80's. The song selections are good, but not great; there are a few other 80's songs I believe could have been added to make it better, but the included ones are not bad by a long shot. The gameplay and set up is much like that of Guitar Hero II, if not exactly the same, which is a relief since II has a better Multiplayer function, especially when you have two people playing who do not have the same skill level.

I think the biggest disappointment with Rock the 80's is the lack of things to unlock. The characters you start out with are the characters you have for the rest of the life of the game; beating the game doesn't get you any special guitars or songs.

Understand that this game is still fun and the music is still great, but if you are looking to buy just one Guitar Hero, I would leave this one off your list; the replay factor just isn't there when there is nothing new to strive for.

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