In Case You Missed It ...
Jul 3, 2009 2:14 pm US/Central
Review: New "Guitar Hero" Hits Same Old Notes
By Phil Stauskas
FORT WORTH (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
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Three men pretend to sing and play instruments during a game demonstration at the E3 Expo in Los Angeles on June 2, 2009.
MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images
Sick of the "Guitar Hero" franchise yet? In only four years, the popular music-based video game has seen over 10 different titles released across the PlayStation, Xbox, Wii and Nintendo DS systems. And at least four more games, or variations on the formula, are heading our way by the end of the calendar year. And this doesn't even include "Rock Band," the franchise's primary competitor.
Always inspired by music industry practices, the latest "Guitar Hero" title is a greatest hits compilation that combines some of the best stuff from previous games into one neat package. "Guitar Hero: Smash Hits" revisits songs we've previously played, and adds some of the franchise's newest features.
The most noticeable addition to "Smash Hits" is the option to play older songs as a full band. Last year's "Guitar Hero: World Tour" added a plastic drum kit and microphone to our plastic guitar, taking a cue from the "Rock Band" series. This is certainly welcome, as it opens the songs up for more players, which often means more fun.
But why is a new disc required? "Smash Hits" does not come packaged with a set of plastic instruments, so those wanting to play will either need to shell out more cash for them individually, or purchase "World Tour" in some form. And if you have "World Tour," then you already have the same basic game. "Smash Hits" is simply a new setlist. Even a comprehensive (and clever) song creator is included in both titles.
Most puzzling, I guess, is that "World Tour" allows players to access an online store, where additional songs can be downloaded to your system for a few dollars each. Why weren't the "Smash Hits" songs included in the store? So, rather than having to dish out $50 or $60 for the complete package, I could only spend a few bucks for the tracks I really wanted.
Of course, we all know the answer. It's the same reason that we've seen more than 10 titles over the past four years. Money. When something works, a company is going to milk it, plain and simple.
But that's the thing. This is a franchise that really works. "Smash Hits" is a solid title, just as almost every "Guitar Hero" title has been over these past four years. The only problem here is a matter of redundancy and overexposure. Between "Guitar Hero" and "Rock Band," and their rising competition, the music genre is getting crowded, and our closets are getting filled with plastic instruments.
So, I can definitely say that "Smash Hits" is an enjoyable game. It is exactly what we've come to expect from the "Guitar Hero" franchise. But for series newbies, "World Tour" is a better option simply because of the included instruments. And for series veterans, you're better off choosing new songs online that you actually want, rather than sifting through a packaged setlist of songs you've already played in the previous titles.
"Guitar Hero: Smash Hits" is available now for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii for prices ranging from $40 to $60, depending on your system.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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