Yes, late to the party but better late than never no? The one thing about being a game collector is the enormous backlog of games you have on your shopping list. When you have 35+ game systems (a small but proud number in collecting circles), you have to split priority between new games and old. Right now with the Xbox/Gamecube/PS2 slowly disappearing from shelves, those have been my priority at the moment.
I initially wanted to buy GHIII for the PS2. One of the many perks of collecting, is that we can indulge ourselves in a little obsessive compulsive behavior and make matching sets. I already have GH and GHII both in the guitar/game bundle form and I also have the 80's Encore version as well. So having the GHIII guitar/game would have been a nice completion to a music set that would have included Rock Band in the future as well. Unfortunately I was unable to find a PS2 version without resorting to online purchasing. Oh well. Since part of the reason was also because I have two guitars from the previous games, buying the Xbox 360 version screwed that up. So I bought the Guitar Hero II bundle as well since it's now only $30-40 more for the bundle than a second guitar by itself.
I'm not a journalist, nor a member of the gaming industry. I won't pretend I'm a hardcore reviewer or an industry analyst. I'm just going to throw a few observations and criticisms out there based on my own experiences, as much for my future self to read over as entertainment for you, the reader who has stopped by to check out our humble site. I'm going to compare GHII with GHIII, as I see them as not only separate games, but a turning point in the evolution of the series both game-wise and hardware-wise.
One of the first things I noticed is how it's packaged. GHIII doesn't have the same kind of semi-case that II has and probably can't take the same beating. It has a thin sleeve over a plain white box, which without digging out my PS2 GH boxes, is similar to the comparison between I and II. That isn't so much a concern for the average gamer as it is for collectors who like to keep everything intact.
Once un-boxed, I really like the look of the Les Paul guitar controller more so than the X-plorer that comes with GHII. Though I have to admit that the X-plorer feels more solid and better built than the Les Paul and a bit heavier as well. I like the fact that it's wireless, but I don't like the fact it comes in two pieces. It never feels quite solid when the two are locked up. Not that I think it could come undone while playing, but it has too large of a tolerance when you wiggle the neck while connected to the body for my tastes.
The game itself plays great. The wheel wasn't re-invented here, but for their first time out Neversoft who took over from Harmonix, played it safe and kept it familiar while adding a bit of personal flair which worked out well. I was split as to which game had a better song list RB or GHIII. I like Rock Bands soundtrack equally for a couple reasons. The Guitar Hero III soundtrack in my opinion is better than Rock Band, but Rock band has way more master tracks which by itself is an impressive boast.
The tempo of the game is pretty much the same as before. Hardcores may tell you otherwise but for those of us who play the game without over-analyzing it, we won't find too many differences in that respect. I admit I skip the "caveman band" cutscenes where your band apparently can't speak in anything but a series of grunts, I think it just slows down getting to the gameplay.
I'm also not a fan of the boss battles, which luckily are few and far between. The whole "attack and whatnot" thing just distracts from the game. No worries though, the boss battles are spread out and there's only three of them.
My only other negative critique is the "Star Power". Maybe it's just me but it seems to activate whenever it wants to, and sometimes not at all. That can be a major issue if you were playing multiplayer or trying to complete achievements. I figure that it's either the angle that I hold the guitar which isn't completely vertical, or the guitar itself doesn't have all that great of a tilt sensor. Sure I could hit the back button when I wanted it, but what about the 75% of the time when it activates on it's own? Also the crowd noise drowns out the song when in star power mode, I just like to hear the music while I play so it's a bit distracting.
All in all GHIII is a good addition to the series. It may not revolutionize the genre, but it doesn't suffer from Madden syndrome either or seem like a half-baked sequel with nothing new. Those who haven't played the previous games shouldn't feel like they couldn't jump into it. Each game is user friendly for first time shredders and offers different songs for different tastes.
I give it a 9.0/10. I would have given it a 8.5 just to put it slightly under GHII, but "Knights of Cydonia" kicks so much ass and it was a major incentive for me to buy it.
.........because Guitar Hero III is determined to put you in a world of pain if it doesn't snap your fingers off and bleed you to death first. Better grab that copy of Chubby Lovin' you hide in between your mattresses, watch Over the Top and buy yourself a Bowflex. You'll need every muscle and joint in top form this fall.
Check it out:
Thanks to ScoreHero for posting that insane video. Either the game's dynamic has changed or "expert" just got a lot harder. Assuming that's the hardest song in the game of course.
Save this video, someday you may need to explain why Mommy/Daddy can't play catch anymore....or hold a fork.....or pee by themselves.
So.....Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s is out. Should I buy it? Wait for it to hit the bins? Used for half the price?
Although I never base my buying habits on game reviews it is interesting to read reactions from across the gaming domain. An average 70%-ish score from most of them where Guitar Hero's 1 and 2 got 90's or more. Did they review based on sequel-itis, innovation, or music tastes? On some level I think all three, but maybe more towards musical preferences, as many of those songs for a lot of players would be considered an acquired taste.
I rode the tide of popularity, good times and feeling of the "newest thing" that Guitar Hero brought to gaming when it came out. Jumped back on the horse for another ride when Guitar Hero II came out, with equal enthusiasm and every bit the fun of the first one I may add. This time though it came with a feeling of being a veteran of the game and less awkwardness because I had experience beating the first. Experience which helped me to appreciate the finer points of improvement and change that GHII brought to the series.
So when I had heard that there was to be an 80's version I was excited. With Harmonix and Red Octane both being bought and split away it was like 1970 and Lennon and McCartney were going their separate ways. A truly great combo had ended their run together. But that didn't dissuade me, because like Wings there was still magic left in Harmonix regardless of who published it. Besides, there may have been a lot of really bad music in the 80's to be sure, but also a lot of good music that would be fun to play and listen to. But alas, as the months wore on and more information about the game's tracks were released my hopes dashed on the rocks like a sailboat in a sea-storm.
Now the game is out. The collector and Guitar Hero fan in me tugs at my wallet, but the gamer and wise consumer side of me says "you know most of those songs will be played once then never again". Not having a guitar bundle was one thing, but 30 tracks for $50 is a stretch even on a good day considering the content of the first two.
Just for the record, yes I am old enough to remember teased hair, ripped spandex and over-dramatic ballads. But this trip in the time machine may be one I'll mull(et) over for a while before I saddle up once again.
Anyone else here still hesitating? On the fence about this game? You know if this was half the price for half the content I wouldn't feel like it was such a cheap way to capitalize on a good series. Then again, Activision hasn't become the #1 publisher for their treasure trove of games now have they?
I've just learned that www.theprp.com reported yesterday that pre-order boxes for Guitar Heroâ„¢ Encore: Rocks the 80sâ„¢ have revealed another 7 tracks to the list:
Anthrax - "Caught In A Mosh"
Iron Maiden - "Wrathchild"
.38 Special - "Hold on Loosely"
White Lion - "Radar Love"
Scorpions - "No One Like You"
The Vapors - "Turning Japanese"
Winger - "Seventeen"
These 7 join 17 others previously announced for the game which ships July 17th according to the Gamestop website:
"We Got The Beat" (The Go-Go's)
"Balls To The Wall" (as made famous by Accept)
"Only A Lad"(as made famous by Oingo Boingo)
"The Warrior" (as made famous by Scandal)
"18 And Life" (as made famous by Skid Row)
"Bathroom Wall" (as made famous by Faster Pussycat)
"Lonely Is The Night" (as made famous by Billy Squier)
"Nothin' But A Good Time" (as made famous by Poison)
"Play With Me" (as made famous by Extreme)
"Shaken" (as made famous by Eddie Money)
"Synchronicity II" (as made famous by The Police)
"I Wanna Rock" (Twisted Sister) (original recording)
"I Ran" (Flock Of Seagulls) (original recording)
"Round And Round" (as made famous by Ratt)
"Metal Health" (as made famous by Quiet Riot)
"Holy Diver" (as made famous by Dio)
"Heat Of The Moment" (as made famous by Asia)
It fills my heart to know it isn't all "glam rock" or "hair metal" ballads. Anthrax, Iron Maiden and the Scorpions make excellent additions. This list is turning out better than I had hoped, I still think the estimated price is a bit steep and I'm still curious what the last 6 or so songs are, but I think I'm more enthused about that game now that most of the songs are known.
Until more information or updates are available visit the official site at www.guitarherogame.com/gh80s/ or our ongoing Guitar Hero discussion HERE or HERE.
I'm going to compare GHII with GHIII, as I see them as not only separate games, but a turning point in the evolution of the series both game-wise and hardware-wise.
So.....Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s is out. Should I buy it? Wait for it to hit the bins? Used for half the price? 
