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?
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No Buy for me, and thank god news post posted.
$50 is just too much.
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Save that $50 for Rock Band or GH3.
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Right now it's on sale at Best Buy for $39.99 this week only.
Looks like they took down the $15 free gift card deal for purchasing it online, though. Glad I took advantage of it yesterday at the store! 
The fact that I got it, plus a $15 gift card, for $19.99 (I used a $20 gift card I already had) made it that much better. 
Fans of the GH series and those that grew up with 80's rock will appreciate it much more than newcomers/casuals to the game and/or those raised on 90's grunge.
Given that, the casual gamer/GH player may want to wait for it to drop to $29.99; whereas the diehards would have no issue with paying more because it's still "Guitar Hero" and would get more enjoyment out of it.
Just my $.02.
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I just bought a real guitar. It's way cooler.
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It is worth it if you are a fan of GH. But if you don't get into it that much, wait until it goes down it's first drop or until you can find a used one. It's just like GH II with fewer songs. But the 80's overhaul is fun.
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Bought it. Already beat 21 of 30 on hard and 11 of 30 on expert. I wasn't too jazzed about I Ran or Turning Japenese but those are both actually quite fun to play. It was well worth the money I spent.
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My friend already 5 stared everything on expert, so yeah. Not too sure if I want to get it anymore.
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I'm a huge fan of Guitar Hero, enough to have all three official guitars. But I can't turn a blind eye to Activision's cash cowing of this game. Even if I liked all of the songs listed I'd still be hesitant to spend $70 taxes in for 30 songs.
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The lower review is to be expected. I mean are there radically new additions adding a whole new depth of game-play? Has game game dealt with all of it's predecessors flaws?
The answer in short is no.
This is why sequels don't very often get as much praise as their original, because they don't deserve it. With every additional sequel that also fails to improve upon it's predecessors beyond what a modding fan base could of done themselves the reviews of all will further decline bringing about the end off the now franchise.
That's my two cents.
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