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Guitar Hero Delivers!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: March 14, 2007
Author: Amazon User

This game was purchased as a gift for my 17 year old. He has had more fun playing this game than any other PS2, XBOX or Gamecube game! He will play in solo mode, he and his friends will play - sometimes taking turns, sometimes playing with two guitars. They enjoy the music and laugh while playing. The surprise has been how much my son and husband enjoy the game together - they both love the same kind of music and enjoy some great father son bonding time. The game and the controllers were some of the best money we spent on video gaming in the last two years!

Great improvements

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: November 08, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Picked this up this morning, and I'm pretty impressed. I was a big fan of the last one, and this one has some nice improvements over the last one.

Most notably, you can finally play two player on two different levels of difficulty. Being able to let a beginner strum out the basics while you play on expert is definitely the feature I wanted to see the most.

This is a great game for parties, and the additional songs are all lots of fun. It was also a great choice to add Thunderhorse (Skwisgaar is a god).

Good stuff. If you like this, check out the original guitar hero and taiko drum master. Both are also great.

Greatness reaches perfection

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: January 14, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Before I played Guitar Hero I, I was neither a big fan of rock music or video games in general. The game changed these two things, and I quickly became a GH junkie. The game mechanics are very simple, though addictive, and so are the songs. You'll find more info on those somewhere else.

GH II maintained the same great basic mechanics from GH I, but corrected everything I wish had been different in the first place. Here are the changes from the first to the second game:

- Now, you only use your profile for playing in the career mode. When on Quickplay or multiplayer modes, you can use everything that was unlocked on any one profile, and the high score rank is shared by all players, which is really cool. Plus, your scores on the career mode are also ranked on the high score list.
- There are three multiplayer modes: face-off (the same as in the first game), pro face-off (each player plays the entire song), cooperative (one player plays the guitar and the other the bass, or one plays the lead guitar and the other the rythm guitar). A big improvement is that the two players don't have to play on the same difficulty level.
- As you would expect, there are more characters and more guitars (including a lot of weird secret guitars that you unlock when you beat the game on different levels). You can also buy new outfits for the characters at the store.
- On the career mode there are a lot of cool on-stage special effects, especially when you play the last song of each phase, which is brought as an encore.
- Now we got 3-notes chords. They're not really that hard.
- I've heard some reviews saying that the songlist from GH II is worst than the first one. That's just not true. Just take the time to get used to the new songs.
- The difficulty is really higher compared to the first game. I didn't think the first game was easy, but some of the songs from GH II are just insane (a lot of them, actually). I've heard that the game is unbeatable on hard or expert levels without the guitar controller. I use the regular PS2 controller, and the only song I can't seem to beat on the expert level is Misirlou, so it's not really so.

The graphics have been slightly improved, and although you won't have the chance to pay much attention to the stage performance while trying to hit the right notes, it's much more appealing.

If you never played GH I you can still play GH II, and the only thing you'll miss is the great songlist from the first game. If you did play the first game and liked it... you must get GH II. Period.

Rent before you buy if you played the original.

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 2 / 7
Date: November 08, 2006
Author: Amazon User

What happened to the sound in this game? Heavy majority of the songs sound like they were recorded thru a wall. The sound is far inferior to the one provided in the original game. Whereas the original sound was clean, crisp and bold (especially in Godzilla), this game's sound is muffled significantly; game has numerous tracks that you can barely distinguish the guitar from the singer. No matter what I did to my stereo system, I could not get the game to sound right. Furthermore, what happened to quality of the covers? Some of these are absolutely bad; definitely below the quality produced by Harmonix in the first game. The only redeeming quality is that the song list is good and graphics are improved. Rent before you buy... overall I'm disappointed after paying full price. IF this was $20 game, the rating would be better.

Not quite what I would've hoped for...

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 2 / 7
Date: November 12, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I agree with the concerns over the sound quality, it's very poor. Everything just seems muddled together. I didn't know a lot of these songs going in and I wish I still didn't. I loved the sound track for the first game, it's what made it, but this go around the listing is sub par, much like how Amplitude was the Frequency (other harmonix titles). Better gameplay than the first, but there are so many songs that I pray I get a five star the first time because I don't want to hear that song again. War Pigs? Whoever decided to put that song in the game should have their college degree revoked. The last game already had two Ozzie tracks and this one has no guitar through half the song. And while I love Kansas, half of Carry on My Wayward Son is non-guitar as well. I guess this game is good, but it's very bitter sweet because of the songs (though kudo's for including some Alice in Chains and Shadows Fall). Something about it doesn't have that same good feel to it like the last.

Just when you thought you couldn't rock any harder...

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 2
Date: November 07, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Guitar Hero 2 is the single most funnest game to play! Now with the Co-Op mode you can rock out with friends and try to rise to stardom while one plays lead guitar and the other plays bass! All new songs makes for hours and hours of non-stop hardcore rockin'! Get ready to feel the burn in your hands because you will not be able to put this game down, a definite must buy!!

Great game, especially on the harder modes

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 2
Date: December 12, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Everyone pretty much knows this game is awesome and a faithful follow-up to the original, so I won't really talk about that.

I'm sure everyone has heard about the increased difficulty, especially in expert mode. While the game is definitely harder than the original, it is actually easier in some ways.

It's a lot easier to hit hammer-ons and pull-offs (playing several notes without strumming) in this game than in the original, making some of the brutally fast expert mode solos playable (with practice). The timing has also been changed to give you some leeway of playing a note a little bit early as well as a little bit late (as opposed to the first game where you couldn't play any notes early).

I've been playing this game since it was released and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. If you're not too scared to play expert mode, go for it, as that's where all the fun is at :) (easier modes are fun too)

The song list has some really strange choices in it - but for the most part it's good.

If you liked the original and/or like rythm based games, this game is for you. Experts of GH1 won't be disappointed either - thank goodness for practice mode! I currently have 56 of 64 expert songs 5 starred - and I still can't put this game down!

Oh, and have fun playing Jordan. ;)

Dirty Pool from Red Octane

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 4 / 34
Date: November 08, 2006
Author: Amazon User

In case you haven't heard, RedOctane, the makers of this game, are suing The Ant Commandos, maker of the Wireless Freedom V Guitar Controller, for marketing a guitar controller to compete with RedOctane's own. Why is this important to my review?

Because I was unable to play Guitar Hero II as a result of Red Octane's dirty pool. For this game, they changed how signals from the guitar controller are interpreted by the game. . .making the Wireless Freedom V completely nonfunctional. If you have purchased the Freedom V and like to rock out with your wireless guitar, you're out of luck in playing this game. . .that controller doesn't work.

Because RedOctane's own SG Controller feels cheap and flimsy (the one I bought with the first Guitar Hero shattered in my hands), I swear by my Freedom V. So much, in fact, that I choose my Freedom V over Guitar Hero II.

RedOctane's smarmy little legal battle cost them my business. If you like your Freedom V, hate to say it but you'll need to avoid this game.

Accept your eventual addiction to this near-perfect game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 4
Date: June 24, 2007
Author: Amazon User

The only marketing slogan deserving more universal abhorrence than "batteries not included" is that stalwart of the eighties, "fun for the whole family." Red Octane's follow-up title to yesteryear's "Guitar Hero" (GH) is the nearest any video game is likely to get to fulfilling the latter advertising cliché. I had just about closed the book on my search for a game that could be truly enjoyed by my friends, my family, and myself. This game was made manifest by godlike creators who detected the wishes of my heart from on high. Would you prefer a non-hagiographic summary? Alright--it is really a very good game, and is exceptionally easy to learn. However, to borrow yet another hackneyed phrase, it (probably) takes "a lifetime to master."

The trick of it is its user-friendliness: once a player begins to improve, the "thirst" to continue advancing one's skill-set becomes ever more powerful. Similar to its predecessor, "Guitar Hero 2" (GH2) allows several methods of play: career, multiplayer, and quick play. There is also a rather anemic training module, which is nevertheless useful to would-be rockers wishing to ply their future trade more effectively. The career mode, once the prima donna of the previous game, has been relegated to "well, I may as well complete it" status in GH2. The reason for the career mode's demotion to a second-fiddle position will be forthcoming. In career mode, you are able to select a band name, choose from a roster of meat-puppets who will channel your virtuosity, and pick your weapon (guitar) of choice. To advance within each difficulty level--of which there are four--the player must perform several songs to a certain degree of competency. Completion of one level within the difficulty range opens up a new stage, "upgrades the bands amp," (similar to the "pro," "legend," etc., designation-changes within the first game) and ups the ante with regards to relative track difficulty. On "medium" and higher difficulty, your rocking-out accuracy direct correlates with the amount of dough you earn for a performance. These monies may be used in the shop, where a lead-guitarist may purchase all manner of "skins" for guitars and characters, upgraded instruments, hidden avatars, secret songs, and rather uninteresting "production videos."

Quick play is just that: you can instantly jam to any songs you have already conquered in career mode or purchased in the shop. However, the gilded crown sitting atop GH2's imagined brow is without a doubt the multiplayer mode. Far superior to the same mode seen in GH, this one allows two beginning modes of play: cooperative and face-off. Cooperative multiplayer mode is an excellent way to produce a falling-out with a dear friend--success or failure depends upon both players' performances. One player selects bass or rhythm guitar, and the other mans the lead axe. Scores can be recorded in cooperative multiplayer mode, so it is basically a two-player career mode sans money. The face-off multiplayer mode is the diamond set within the gilded crown sitting...you get the idea. Some genius at Red Octane split each of the 80 + songs so intelligently that every "face-off" feels like an actual battle between dueling guitar-players. "Take this riff! No, have this burn," etc., etc. I really cannot find the precise words, but trust me, the effect is amazing, and incredibly fun. There is also an advanced face-off setting in which each player plays the complete song, but I found it much less interesting overall.

The type of music available has been expanded significantly. In the first game, players were mostly limited to hard-rock/metal hits from the `70's, `80's, and `90's. GH2 features much greater variety, with fusion, jazz, classic rock, punk, hard rock/metal, "rock-trance," nu-metal, alternative and other genres well represented. This game will have you jamming to popular (and less popular) titles from such groups as All That Remains, Freezepop, Buckethead, The Foo Fighters, Warrant, The Police, Motley Crue, Rush, Lynyrd Skynyrd and many, many more. The game boasts over eighty songs in its library, many of which you'll be required to unlock before playing. Speaking of playing, it's essentially the same deal as the first GH: giant guitar-neck with colored notes advancing towards the player. Play more notes correctly with the guitar-controller, and rack up more points, more audience-acclaim, more self-confidence, and more cronies in the White House. Extra points are earned for not missing number of notes in a row, and for using accumulated "star power." The graphics seem identical to the original, which is hardly a negative. There is plenty going on in the background, in the crowd, and in the stage-effects, but you REALLY won't have time to pay attention. Watch the replay at the after-show party.

The options menu has a few new bells and whistles for those with widescreen and/or HDTV-capable televisions to take advantage of. South-paws should not feel left-out, as GT2 (and GT1, for that matter) feature a "lefty-flip," allowing comfortable play regardless of one's dominant-hand preference. Finally, needless to say, increased volume is statistically connected with increased GH2 satisfaction: upgrade those speakers cheapskate!

This is a great game which your septuagenarian father will likely never allow you to play--I'm predicting that his hands will be clutching that guitar far too intently for you to have any chance at possession. You'll have to wait for his prostate to act up. Buy it, and then buy another copy for a friend.

Incompatible with 2nd party controllers

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 4 / 41
Date: November 23, 2006
Author: Amazon User

We have the original GH1 controller and a 2nd party controller. The second party controller works with GH1 but not GH2. Send RedOctane a note and they stated they don't test for second party compatibility. I think this is a bum rap that they force you to buy their controllers. Last RedOctane game I every buy. Take all you can from the customer. Bad on ya.

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