E3 2009 Preview
The
very franchise name, Guitar Hero, symbolizes a revolution in rhythm-based games
as well a series of games that have met with phenomenal success. So, how do you
build on that? Well, when you are Neversoft, the current developer behind the
game (and the dev studio that took the title from a guitar-based game to a
band-based sensation), it’s easy – you build on what is already in place with a
song list that will span the generations and give players more options.
For
the first time, the franchise will feature Party Play, a multiplayer mode that
allows other players to drop in or out, or even play the same instruments.
You can play as four guitarists? You can now do it. But hey, that’s not all that has been
tweaked. The Music Studio has been streamlined a bit to make the experience more
accessible for first-time users.
But
if you have played the game, you know that everything begins with the song list
and GH5 has the most varied songlist in the history of the franchise, with more
than 20 bands represented. According to a recent press release: “Guitar Hero 5
features the strongest, most varied set list to-date comprised of master tracks
from 85 of the hottest bands of today and the biggest classic acts including;
Kings of Leon, The Rolling Stones, The White Stripes, Santana, Vampire Weekend,
Tom Petty, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, plus more than 25 artists from a variety of
music genres that will be making their music video game debut.”
To
make it all even sweeter, all songs will be unlocked from the get-go.
Players can also expect a more prominent role for downloadable content after the
game releases.
Other
new additions include RockFest, which is a new competitive experience, as well
as Band Moments in which bands can receive special rewards for nailing song
elements. Then there are the song challenges that will challenge players to play
through a song in a specific way.
Activision showed off the game at a pre-E3 event held in Los Angeles and while
the game was only shown as a live demo (well, with a Neversoft quartet
demonstrating some of the new features) there seems to be a lot to get excited
about with the next edition in the franchise.
In
the overall scheme of things, GH5 is not a new beast, but it does feature
significant improvements and additions that are bound to make it a title that
winds up on a lot of gamers’ wish lists.
