I figure a stupidly long titled game needs a stupidly long titled review. David Jaffe, I want you to know I'm putting you on notice. Your game is really good but the title really really sucks ass and is too long. I'm docking you a tenth of a review point for it's lameness.
Change of plans
I just got off the phone with Sony customer service. I was going to write a nice review for this game detailing it's pros and cons. Instead I'm going to rant a bit on how Sony's customer service sucks ass. Maybe by the time I get to the bottom of this article I'll have vented enough to score it.
[rant]So I bought this game brand new last night for $19.99 from a major chain retailer. Got it home and opened it to find that there was no included artbook or download code for the soundtrack. Stewed on it a bit, played the game, and figured I'd sort it out the next day.
After unsuccessfully locating a software specific support site on the web, I decided to hunt through the manual for the 1-800 number. The first 10-15 minutes were spent waiting on hold while listening to generic background music with one of the songs having the chorus line "Don't make me wait too long". Obviously someone has a sense of humor at that call center.
Over the course of the 45 minute call, I was asked questions, put on hold again several times and finally received my answer and suggested course of action. If I mailed them proof of purchase, shipped the $19.99 game and it's contents back to California from New Brunswick and waited without my new title for no doubt at least a couple of weeks, they'd repackage my game with the artbook and download code and send it back.
So to summarize, If I spend $10 shipping a $19.99 game back to Sony, they'd repack it and send it back to me instead of just sending me the missing items after I had faxed them the proof of purchase.
No wonder prostitution is a growing industry. You don't have to wait for what seems like forever to get fucked. That's 45 minutes + that I'll never get back. [/rant]
Back on topic:
Giving credit where credit is due, for a budget title and for being a PSP port, they did a great job bringing this to the PlayStation 2. The gameplay is incredibly fun, smooth 60fps even in 2 player play. The "Lost Levels" are really great, though it's a sad story when you find out why Twisted Metal: Harbor City was cancelled in the first place and why these had never seen the light of day.
If you haven't played the PSP version before, think of it as a quasi-Twisted Metal 2 remade and enhanced. It has the old feel, the same attitude and addictiveness as well. Not the nicest looking game out there, but colourful and easy on the eyes, much more so than TM:Black's darker tone.
Lots of bonus features, some good some bad. A great documentary on the series with interviews from key members, extremely cheesy ending movies that were cut from Twisted Metal 1, and an odd gameplay mode where you run around an empty asylum/junkyard as Sweetooth collecting factoids and concept art. As for the other bonus stuff, well Sony has decided that I can pay half the cost of a new game or forget about it so I have no opinion on how good the songs or the artbooks are.
As it stands, it's a fun budget title that any shooter/Twisted Metal/car combat gamer should own. For the low price of $19.99 it's a good deal even if you feel like that Matador in the post underneath this one because of what you may be missing.
Another 7 more songs have been revealed for Guitar Hero III. Is it just me, or have we been spoiled by the thought of original recording so much now that we tend to look down on "as made famous by" songs for the upcoming titles? Some of them I actually prefer to the original, others I'd like to forget. In any case here's the latest batch:
"Miss Murder," by AFI
"3's and 7's," by Queens of the Stone Age
"Raining Blood," by Slayer
"Reptillia," by The Strokes
"Paranoid," as made famous by Black Sabbath
"Cities on Flame," as made famous by Blue Oyster Cult
"Mississippi Queen," as made famous by Mountain
Head over to Joystiq for the complete list to date as well as Youtube links to each song in case you need to jog your memory.
Here's four more Guitar Hero III tracks as listed from the ScoreHero forums:
Suck My Kiss - Red Hot Chili Peppers (Original recording)
La Grange - ZZ Top
Number Of The Beast - Iron Maiden (Original recording)
Through The Fire And Flames - Dragonforce (Original recording)
This game is shaping up to please so far. There hasn't been anything on the total list so far I wouldn't play. Check out the ScoreHero forums to read their exclusive coverage and play-through of the game along with other details from their experience:
In celebration of the release of Stargate SG-1's final season (season 10) on DVD, take a moment and check out this trailer for the cancelled PC, Xbox and PS2 game Stargate SG-1: The Alliance.
A gorgeous game with everything a Stargate fan would ever want. In fact so much half of it couldn't even be shown in one trailer. Full voice acting from most of the cast, all the gadgets and weapons seen in the show, as well as alien races and plenty of Jaffa. Check them out:
<a href="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=6328" target="_blank">http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=6328</a> and the second one: <a href="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=5062" target="_blank">http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=5062</a>
What a shame. I was looking forward to that game so much I was thinking about buying the PC version for online and one of the console versions just because. Then they announce they've scrapped it for a MMORPG. *sigh*
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?
Apparently a kid from the U.K. bought a Sony PlayStation 2 off eBay last spring and instead of a system with 2 games he received a box with â"šÂ¬65,400 ($90,000) stacked alongside the console.
The local constabulary is holding the parcel for a period of time in case the loon who misplaced his cash comes running and also while they complete their investigation. If you ask me that's a nice consolation prize for not receiving his two games as was agreed upon in the auction.
My only question is, would you give him positive or negative feedback? Sure it's a nice trade-off, but the seller didn't send the two games with it. Myself, I would thank them for their stupidity, give them negative feedback for being an ass, then head downtown and upgrade to a PS3.
Shortly after Nintendo's conference is Sony's at around 2:00pm - 2:30pm EST. Check out the same sources used to view the Nintendo conference to watch the Sony one as well. Impressions for both Nintendo and Sony will be posted later.
UPDATE: The conference will take place in aprox. 20 minutes from now (2:30pm EST.) The G4 link seems to work the best for live video stream, I've watched the first 2 on it with good results.
Saving face for leaked info? Previous reports proved false? Either way Activision has released information on 8 more songs for it's upcoming Guitar Hero Encore. Note that some of these are different than yesterdays list that was found on the pre-order boxes. Whether that is an indication of track changes or a PR change remains to be seen.
"Hold On Loosely" (as made famous by .38 Special)
"No One Like You" (as made famous by Scorpions)
"Only a Lad" (as made famous by Oingo Boingo)
"Radar Love" (as made famous by White Lion)
"Ballroom Blitz" (as made famous by Krokus)
"The Warrior" (by Scandal)
"What I Like About You" (as made famous by The Romantics)
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 figure a stupidly long titled game needs a stupidly long titled review. David Jaffe, I want you to know I'm putting you on notice. Your game is really good but the title really really sucks ass and is too long. I'm docking you a tenth of a review point for it's lameness.
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? 
