Look out rhythm-based gaming fans, because the king of rock in gaming is about to return. Guitar Hero World Tour (GH4) has been announced and wow does it look sweet!
Upside
Guitar Hero World Tour looks to be the most feature-complete music game ever released. It's also bad news for the original-Guitar-Hero-now-Rock-Band-maker Harmonix, because it may hit the stores before Rock Band does. However, we've heard whispers that Rock Band may be moved forward to coincide with World Tour's scheduled release of Spring '08.
One of the strongest draw-cards for fans of the series has always been the songs. With more bands giving (and in some cases even rerecording) master tapes to developers, we look forward to what the developers are calling "the biggest on-disc selection" yet. However, we're a little nonplussed with the scant few names the company has released so far: Van Halen, Linkin Park, Sublime, and the Eagles. Where's the Led Zeppelin and some decent hardcore bands? We're sure they're to come.
One major feature of the new peripherals is that they're now wireless — so no more running out of USB ports. Also, the guitar has had a redesign, and looks more like a Kramer or Epiphone with a wooden finish. And the teaser trailer features a mic stand as well...
Players will be able to create and upload their own songs with Guitar Hero World Tour.
Unlike Rock Band's drum kit, you really could use the Guitar Hero kit in a band. The set includes three drum pads, two raised cymbals, and a bass kick pedal. Not only that, but the rubber pads are now velocity sensitive — for example, hit the snare drum hard and you get a loud sound. Previously, only professional electronic equipment had this feature.
New gameplay modes include Battle of the Bands, in which two bands made up of four players each will be able to compete against each other, and Music Studio, which lets people record their own songs and share them online via GHTunes.
For tweakers, there is also a high level of customisation with budding rock stars able to choose everything from their characters' appearance and instruments to their band's logo and album covers.
Guitar Hero World Tour will be available on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii and PlayStation 2. No PC version has been announced.
Downside
Price. If Harmonix is looking to sell Rock Band for around AU$300 for the hardware only, then you can imagine Activision is looking at a similar price, which could easily hit the AU$400 mark with a game. Ouch.
Of course, nothing will stop people from recording known songs with the Music Studio feature and uploading them as well. Considering there are copyright issues here it will be interesting to see how the makers police this.
Outlook
Where Guitar Hero III seemed to be treading water with its lame Boss and Battle modes, Guitar Hero World Tour looks truly exciting. It appears to take all the best features from Rock Band and improves on them exponentially. After having now trashed two different Rock Band sets in the CNET towers while waiting for a local release, we've suddenly shifted our focus from "must get Rock Band" to "gotta get World Tour!".
Like this article? Click below to send it to your mobile for free!
manrom
12/10/2008, 05:47 PM
rating
10/10
it looks very good and fun, the drums look easy to set up and play and have softer heads unlike the pissy version-rockband. the guitar has a touch sensitive strip which can be used in solos and looks very fun to use.
Pros: music studio, create a rocker, create a guitar and u can also customise ur drums. great song list and only has the best of the best.
Cons: ye the price is a little high but for what u get in it, it worth it :)
Report offensive comment
singo79
29/09/2008, 05:47 PM
rating
10/10
If this game is anything like the other Guitar Hero games then it will be a hit. I have all of the previous Guitar Hero games for the Xbox 360 as well as Rock Band. Rock Band has nothing on Guitar Hero, the interface and in-game ques are not as nice and easy to hit as they are in Guitar Hero. Now we only have to wait until November 08, compared to getting Rock Band locally, which still isn't available. The creators of Rock Band have left it too late to target Australia, Guitar Hero is the only way to go.
Pros: Sexy drum kit,
Drum kit is wireless,
It's Guitar Hero not Rock Band,
Huge Setlist,
Compilation mode and many more!
Cons: We have to wait until November 2008 :)
Report offensive comment
dquonce
06/09/2008, 03:23 AM
rating
10/10
will you be able to use the regular xbox controller or do you have to use the guitar.
Pros: better than rockband will ever be, rockband was a ripoff of guitar hero anyway so u cant say it was the other way around.
Cons: price is an issue and the wait and the way the game is played (regular controller
Report offensive comment
kazeric
31/08/2008, 11:46 AM
rating
9/10
Can't wait, looks so dam good, ill get it if its not more then $350 AU, including all the hardware.
hopefully they have a more, in depth career mode then number 3.
Pros: 1. music creation
2. massive setlist
3. drums, bass, lead, vocals
4. band vs band.
Cons: 1. price........... WOW
Report offensive comment
dudemanshoehead
28/08/2008, 09:56 AM
rating
2/10
This is a rip off of rock band. Rock band 2 will be the perfection of the virtual band games. This is a knock off in its infancy.
Pros: -Customizable Instruments
Cons: -Game mechanicals not as cohesive as Rock band 1 and 2.
-Drum foot pedal will slide around
-Interface not as polished and readable as RB as well as Rock revolution!
-Exclusive bands signed by this game's makers are stopping the spread of music.
Report offensive comment
SYNTHESISE
24/08/2008, 10:37 PM
rating
10/10
i think that gh wt will be the pinicle of music games forever but the price will definatly be a bit alarming especially since i have a car i have to pay 4 but no job
Pros: best music game ever conceived, drums bass guitar, mic, song creator, wireless everything, massive setlist
Cons: price, thats it
Report offensive comment
JadedGamer
18/06/2008, 11:16 AM
rating
10/10
The music creation and sharing of songs online via GHTunes could quite possibly be one of the biggest contributions to the music video game genre.
Pros: - GHTunes (music creation and sharing)
- Wireless equipment
- Drum set up
Cons: - Price might be but if the equipment holds up to the test (I'm looking at you Rock Band)
Report offensive comment
GARRJ
15/06/2008, 01:31 AM
rating
9/10
It looks like amazing i can't wait for it..2008 late fall is a lonnnggg time away...i don't see why the slow pace
Pros: cymbals look sweet
better than rockbands 4 drums
hopefully foot pedal dun break like rockbands
Cons: price..if its under $300 ill be happy:)
the long wait
cymbal postition..its almost an akward playing postition for the cymbals
Report offensive comment
Diamonded Core
03/06/2008, 11:32 AM
rating
10/10
Great, can't really wait for this
Pros: new improved gameplay for sure, great music
Cons: having to scrap your old guitar again
Report offensive comment
*FabulousxFreakout*
01/06/2008, 08:11 AM
rating
10/10
Guitar hero has alway been a big hit with the american public, it's sure not to displease on it's next big release
Pros: It will sell millions, and it might just outsell rockband
Cons: the price...ouch
Report offensive comment