RyuBlitz has 18 chronicles

1. Video Game Review - Guitar Hero: Aerosmith
   

   Player Chronicle -- Posted on Jul 08 2008

   Sometime last week (say, oh, 12:02 AM, June 29), I ventured out to pick up a copy of the newest Guitar Hero installment, Guitar Hero: Aerosmith. Despite the foreboding comments of many naysayers, I actually retained a shred of hope that this game would be worth the money. I eagerly returned home, hoping to justify the purchase and rock the night away.
   
   Unfortunately, the rocking didn't work out so well. I hate to admit it, but GH:A actually managed to put me to sleep. By the time I had reached the second tier, I was drifting of for entire sections of songs. I'm pretty certain I got a nice, big 0% on one of the later sections in "Sweet Emotion". Yes, there may have been other factors involved (such as it being 2 AM), but my point remains the same; the song choice for GH:A is not up to par with the selections of GHIII.
   
   After a few hours of sleep, I proceeded to finish the job of destroying the Expert career. Being of a clearer, more rested mind, I began to notice a few details that were impressive, and others that were...not so much.
   
   
   The Good:
   
   Motion Capture: The amount of effort that went into the motion capture is astounding. I'm willing to say that this is likely the best looking Guitar Hero game so far. It appears that Steven Tyler mo-capped a performance for every song in the game, which greatly aided the visual aspect of the game.
   
   Attention to Detail: In addition to the great-looking mo-cap, the game in general has a bunch of little details that have been added in, giving the game a more authentic feel. Granted, many of these will likely be noticed only by experienced real-life rockers, but that's half the beauty of it.
   
   
   The Bad:
   
   Song Charting/Order: Despite being a halfway-decent Aerosmith fan, I was disappointed by the way these songs played in the game. There are a few shining gems (For example, the Run DMC version of "Walk This Way" is one of my all-time favorites), but the rest of them feel rather bland. Also, there is a significant difficulty drop in this game; way more so than was necessary. Point in case: "Sex Type Thing", by Stone Temple Pilots, in one of the songs showcased in the ever-feared Final Tier, the hallowed hall of the insanely difficult. "Sex Type Thing" has an easy chorus, a simple verse structure and a basic bridge. "Sex Type Thing" does not have a solo. "Sex Type Thing"....is not difficult. I can understand that Neversoft is trying to reach out to the more inexperienced players, but this lack of challenge feels somewhat abandoning to those who have been dedicated to the series.
   
   Song Covers: I can appreciate the honesty of depicting which songs are covers, but Neversoft went overboard this time round. Changing the phrasing from "As performed by" to "As made famous by" (a la GHII) is a nice, subtle way to give appropriate credit. Blatantly stating "(COVER)" and "COVER OF LISTED BAND'S HIT" isn't, and it quickly becomes an annoying eyesore.
   
   
   The Ugly:
   
   Steven Tyler: Need I say more?
   
   
   So, in closing, I still don't know quite where I stand. While I'm initially not very fond of most of the songs, the game does have it's redeeming qualities. Here's how I would likely recommend the game:
   
   * Die-hard Aerosmith fans and Guitar Hero junkies: Buy the game. While not amazing, it is something new to play, and there are a few choice gems included.
   * Guitar Hero vets (Medium - early Expert): At least rent the game. If nothing else, it'll give you some unique practice before you jump back to GHIII to take on Raining Blood.
   * Guitar Hero Newcomers: Don't buy this game, at least for now. I would recommend that you first get started on Guitar Hero III; you'll have a much wider variety of music, and much more likely to find songs that fit your style.
   
   If you have any questions, comments, random obscene remarks, etc.; please feel free to leave a comment. I'd be glad to hear from you. Also, if you could, please leave some feedback for me on this review posted on my blog: http://rockinvideogames.wordpress.com/
   
   Thanks!
   
   -Zach

   
   

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RyuBlitz has 4 comment s on this chronicle.

1. EMLCombo
   Posted On Jul 24 2008

   OK I'm just going to ask (Again). Did you all send out the M$ Tech 2008 copies yet? I was wondering b/c I haven't been able to rock out with this game yet. I wanted to know if you all were still going to send them b/c I can rent it or whatever, instead of waiting. Let me know. Thanks

2. johnbiz10301
   Posted On Jul 14 2008

   i dont agree with this i love this game

3. Dynafire
   Posted On Jul 08 2008

   Very well written. I think you just saved me $60. I've never really been a fan of Aerosmith's music, so not picking this up is not a big loss. I'll be sure to check out your blog and leave some nasty comments too. (jk)
   
   I also managed to fall asleep while rocking once - when I went to get GH3 at the midnight sale, I got to Story of My Life and was out of it about halfway through. That's right, I've failed Story of My Life.

4. BEN
   Posted On Jul 08 2008

   Very enjoyable read and coming from a true Plastic Rockstar, I can appreciate your thoughts and opinions on this video game for sure!
   
   I love the way you broke it down towards the end of the video game review, so people could get an idea of whether they should buy, rent, or skip this game based on their love-level for Guitar Hero
   ____
   
   I ranked this 10/10, Dugg the review, posted the review to my Facebook, and also commented on your blog