Check It: Guitar Hero

Sick of air guitar? Are you looking to be able to show off your ability with power chords and hammering out a tough solo? We’ve found the answer to all your problems in Playstation 2’s Guitar Hero. Street Cents tests the game to find out whether or not it’s fun or worth the price.

The Product

Guitar hero is a PS2 video game that sells for about $90. The game has become a hit across the country and has been selling out in stores nationwide. Guitar Hero features 47 playable songs with licensed tracks from bands including Black Sabbath, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Franz Ferdinand, Queen, Pantera, Sum 41, Megadeth, The Ramones, David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix, and Cream. 30 of these tracks are covers of the originals, with the remaining 17 songs by independent bands.

The game is comprised of different difficulty levels - Easy, Medium, Hard and Expert. It includes six venues that range from basement parties to sold out stadiums and has eight different characters that each offers their own look and unique style of playing, from metal head to classic rocker. Players can use a standard PlayStation 2 controller, but the guitar controller is half the fun of playing Guitar Hero - featuring five coloured fret buttons, a strum button, and a whammy bar.

In the game, if a player misses a note by strumming early, late, or not at all, a three-level "Rock Meter" will decrease. The Rock Meter is an indication of how well the player is doing and the crowd's general opinion of the player and the performance. If the meter is totally depleted, the player will fail the song. The meter can be restored little by little by playing notes correctly.

There is also a two-player mode for added competition.

The Test

We had the Canadian independent Calgary band Sudden Infant Dance Syndrome test out the game to find out if it’s worth all its hype and if being a guitar player gives you an edge in the game.

Testers’ Comments

”The guitar is silly looking – more like a child’s toy.”

”I thought being a guitar player would help, but it didn’t make that much of a difference.”

”This is definitly a good group game. It feels like you’re all playing at the same time ‘cause you can sing and dance along while others actually play.”

”One thing that I don’t really like is that they use covers, not the original artists.”

”It’s even better when you have two people going head-to-head and you have some competition.

”The only downside is that there is only one guitar.”

Testers’ Verdict

”It’s a fun game with a very cool control. I think I’d pay $90 for it.”

”I’d probably buy the game. It was a lot of fun and it was good in a group of people.”

”Although it was really fun, I don’t think I would pay $90 for it – maybe if it was $60.”

It looks like the hype isn’t far off. Guitar Hero really is as fun and engaging as it claims to be. Forget the air guitar compettions, we vote for a national competition for the best Guitar Hero!

Watch the Sudden Infant Dance Syndrome video here for their single Zombie.

Sudden Infant Dance Syndrome dedicates their song "Zombie" to former SC Host Jonathan Torrens.