The Observer, November 17, 2006
Volume XXXIX, Issue 11
Rhythm games allow players to rock out
The rhythm-based music genre has not received much attention during the past year or so. With big-name titles like Gears of War and Final Fantasy XII demanding to be played, developers and gamers may be reluctant to go back to the seemingly simplistic mechanics of pressing a button to the beat. However, two recent releases, Guitar Hero II (PS2) and Elite Beat Agents (Nintendo DS) demonstrate just how deep and satisfying rhythm games can be.
When the original Guitar Hero came out last year, it immediately became a surprise hit because of the included guitar controller. The controller, which includes fret buttons and a whammy bar, requires similar hand movements to the real thing, and so playing classic rock songs became incredibly immersive. The sequel improves upon the first outing with a larger song list (64 choices in total), new modes, and a brutal increase in difficulty. Fans will definitely be pleased.
With the gargantuan music selection, there's something here for everyone. Classic rock aficionados will appreciate the tracks from the Allman Brothers and Kansas, while those looking for something more contemporary will enjoy the songs from Nirvana and Rage Against the Machine. Even Spinal Tap's "Tonight I'm Going to Rock you Tonight" makes an appearance. This is a well-rounded list that somehow trumps the awesome choices from the first game.
New modes include a practice mode and co-operative multiplayer. The practice mode is handy because the difficulty has been ramped up a bit. You can start at any point within a song and the speed can be adjusted so that you can get used to the numerous patterns. Co-op is also a great addition. One player plays the lead guitar while the other handles either rhythm or bass. Rather than merely playing the same song simultaneously, the points and "rock meter" are shared, and both players have to unleash the critical "star power" together during emergencies. I especially appreciated how both players could pick their own difficulty sessions; as a novice, I could never compete against my expert friend, but with co-op mode, we can both enjoy the game. Outside of these major additions, this is still largely the same game from last year. Even so, the premise is still novel and the game has nearly infinite replayability. It should be noted that a 360 version will be coming out next year with new tracks and downloadable content (a blessing or a curse?), so those looking for the ultimate version of Guitar Hero II may want to wait.
Elite Beat Agents, the other rhythm game for this month, is absolutely amazing. In fact, I found it very difficult to put down my DS long enough to write this review. The game essentially has you tapping on the screen to the beat and occasionally dragging the stylus over designated paths. Somehow, these mechanics don't feel too simple. Quite the contrary: the later songs are extremely challenging and require multiple attempts to reach perfection. My only complaint is that once in a while EBA requires players to spin the stylus around as fast as possible, which can be murder on the poor DS screen.
While these music-based levels proceed, players are treated to some very odd vignettes depicting the heroic deeds of the title agents. These characters essentially serve as cheerleaders, and help numerous citizens overcome increasingly bizarre obstacles. All of the cutscenes look great and the writing is very humorous. The music selection is also top notch. Songs like "September" and "Jumpin' Jack Flash" fit perfectly, and even the few of which I'm not a fan of ("Sk8ter Boi", "La La") are palatable within the context of the game.
Both Guitar Hero II and Elite Beat Agents just feel great. It's difficult to understand why these games are fun without personally picking up the respective guitar or stylus. I have no doubt that gamers will be quite satisfied with Gears of War and the newest Zelda, but hopefully they make time for these terrific experiences as well.
