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Guitar Hero II

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Guitar Hero II
The boxarts for both the PlayStation 2 and the Xbox 360 version of Guitar Hero II.
Developer(s)Harmonix Music Systems
Publisher(s)RedOctane / Activision
Designer(s)Harmonix Music Systems
Platform(s)PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, Wii
ReleasePlayStation 2

NA November 7, 2006
AU November 15, 2006
UK November 24, 2006
EU November 30, 2006

Xbox 360
NA April 3, 2007
DK April 4, 2007
EU April 6, 2007

Wii

TBA 2007/2008
Genre(s)Music video game
Mode(s)Single player, multiplayer

Guitar Hero II is a music video game and a sequel of Guitar Hero. Guitar Hero II was released for the Sony PlayStation 2[1] video game console and was released for the Xbox 360 console on April 3.[2] There are also versions planned for the Nintendo Wii[3] and possibly Nintendo DS.

History

Guitar Hero II was released for the PlayStation 2 on November 7 2006 in North America, November 15 2006 in Australia,[4] November 30 2006 in the United Kingdom,[5] and November 30 2006 in Europe. Guitar Hero II for the Xbox 360 console is scheduled for release on March 23 2007 in Europe and was released on April 3, 2007 in North America. Guitar Hero II for the Wii is slated to be released during the 2008 fiscal year (between April 2007 and March 2008).[6] Guitar Hero Gibson SG controllers are compatible with the PlayStation 2 version of Guitar Hero II. Xbox 360 versions will have an exclusive Mini Gibson X-Plorer guitar controller. Pre-ordered copies of Guitar Hero II included a classic red SG Guitar, a Guitar Hero II shirt, and sticker set.[7] Retail versions of the game controller were cherry red in color.

A demo version of Guitar Hero II was released with issue #110 of Official Playstation Magazine on October 5, 2006.[8] Features of the demo included four playable songs on four difficulty levels for single player and co-op modes. Demo releases do not feature the ability to flip the notes for left-handed players. Demo versions feature the songs "Shout at the Devil", "You Really Got Me", "Strutter" and "YYZ".

RedOctane released shots of the upcoming Xbox 360 release of Guitar Hero II on January 4, 2007. Pictures of the game box suggest the game will include additional content available through the Xbox Live service.[9] Xbox 360 versions of the game will be available on April 3, 2007. TeamXbox posted early information on the press release, including details on ten songs and four screenshots of songs available exclusively for the Xbox 360 console.[10] The Xbox 360 version will also appear to support an optional foot pedal for effects, based on the game manual[11]

Activision President and CEO Mike Griffith announced during a financial conference call with Activision the plan to release a Guitar Hero game for the Nintendo Wii console system during Activision's 2008 fiscal year (April 07 – March 08). No information is currently available about the control method or version to be released for the Wii system.[12]

Gameplay

See also: Common gameplay elements in the Guitar Hero series

Gameplay is based on the successful formula created in the original Guitar Hero; the player may use the guitar peripheral to play scrolling notes by holding the corresponding fret button on the guitar neck and simultaneously pressing the strum bar. Alternatively, one can use the "DualShock 2" controller by using the L2, L1, R1, R2 and X buttons (in the order of the respective frets, from green to orange). On the Xbox 360, the notes are played (from Green to Orange) with the LT, LB, RB, RT, and A buttons.

Several changes have been made to the gameplay mechanics of Guitar Hero II:

  • Three-button chords that require three fret buttons to be held down for the note to be played successfully.
  • Pull-offs no longer require the lower note to be held down. The window for strumming hammer-ons and pull-offs has been increased to make both techniques easier to use. Overall difficulty seems to have been increased and more rapid-fire note sequences are present in this iteration.
  • Lefty flip option is now available and can be toggled from the pause menu while playing a song. Players no longer need to quit a song in order to access the main menu to change this option, although the song must be restarted.
  • Players can view a More Stats screen after completing a song. Detailed percentages are displayed for the total notes played for each section of the song, the average multiplier achieved throughout the song, the number of star power phrases completed and the total number of notes played.
  • High scores achieved during "Career Mode" are now included on the high score lists that are viewed in the "Quick Play" mode. Previous versions kept separate high score lists for each mode. Career mode high scores will be listed under the name of the career mode band created by the player.

The Xbox 360 version of the game also includes a Leaderboard feature that allows players to see where their scores for individual songs (or their combined Career campaign) compares to other players on Xbox Live. In addition, there are 50 Achievements to be unlocked on the Xbox 360 version.

Career

In career mode, players create a band name and select a guitarist from among the available characters. Only the lead guitar is available to be played in this mode. Over the course of the career mode the band plays at eight available venues. After completing the required songs, three, four, or five depending on the difficulty, fans in the crowd will chant for an encore. Passing the encore song will unlock the next tier of songs. Encores are not available in the Easy career mode.

Successful completion of a song on Medium or higher skill levels during Career mode will earn the player in-game cash. Higher difficulty levels and better scoring performances are rewarded with more cash. In-game money can be used at The Store to buy various items. Some items are available only after completing all songs at higher difficulty levels or 5-star performances. Purchases in The Store carry over to each difficulty in career mode and all game modes. The items at the store include:

  • Guitars - Several Gibson guitars can be purchased. There are 8 fictional guitars, such as a coffin or a fish, that can be purchased once they have been unlocked.
  • Finishes - One to four different paint schemes are available for most guitars.
  • Characters - Three additional characters can be made available by purchasing them. One character includes an extra guitar.
  • Alternate Outfits - Different clothing sets are specialized for each character, except for the unlockable characters.
  • Bonus Songs - 24 additional songs can be purchased.
  • Videos - Two "behind the scenes" videos of the making of Guitar Hero II can be viewed. Videos are not available in the PAL version of the game.

Multiplayer

File:Gh2-screenshot.jpg
An early screenshot of the Cooperative mode from the PlayStation 2 version of Guitar Hero II.

There are three different multiplayer modes available:

  • Cooperative mode: Depending upon the song, a player can play the lead guitar while another can play bass or rhythm guitar. Both players share a score, rock meter, star power meter and streak multiplier. Co-op mode is the only multiplayer mode in which a song can be failed. Both players must tilt the guitar or press the select button in unison to unlock star power. There are five bass guitars that can be unlocked in cooperative mode.
  • Face-Off mode: This is the same multiplayer mode as featured in the original game, though in Guitar Hero II, both players can individually select their level of difficulty. The scores are weighted so that a player who hits more notes on the Easy difficulty than an opponent on Expert difficulty will win the round.
  • Pro Face-Off mode: Players play the full lead guitar track on the same difficulty. This mode is only available after completing Career Mode on Medium or higher difficulty levels.

Practice mode

Practice mode is a new addition to the game, allowing a player to practice certain sections of a song ("Verse 2," "Chorus," "Bridge 3," etc.) on different difficulties and instruments. Practice mode gives the player the ability to toggle the speed of the notes (Full Speed, Slow, Slower and Slowest) and does not stop a song no matter how many mistakes are made. A display screen will show the number of notes hit following completion of the song. Players can view their multiplier streak in practice mode but are unable to see star power phrases, the rock meter, or the score.

Soundtrack

Both the PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360 versions of Guitar Hero II feature the same core 64 playable songs. Most of the songs featured are cover versions, with the exception of "Stop!", "Dead!", "Possum Kingdom", "John the Fisherman", and the 24 unlockable bonus songs (which are original artist performances). Cover songs are credited on screen with the phrase "as made famous by" (e.g. "Surrender, as made famous by Cheap Trick"), while the original songs are credited with "as performed by" (e.g. "John the Fisherman, as performed by Primus").

Out of the represented bands in the main setlist, only Black Sabbath and Megadeth (and Deep Purple, in the Xbox 360 version) return with new covers. In the bonus list, there are eight returning bands: The Acro-brats, Anarchy Club, The Breaking Wheel (known as Artillery in the first game), Count Zero, Drist, Freezepop, Honest Bob and the Factory-to-Dealer Incentives and Made in Mexico.

The following is the complete list of songs of Guitar Hero II[13][14]

† - denotes rhythm guitar as alternate instrument for song in co-op mode (all other songs feature bass)

Main setlist

PlayStation 2

1. Opening Licks


2. Amp-Warmers


3. String-Snappers


4. Thrash and Burn


5. Return of the Shred


6. Relentless Riffs


7. Furious Fretwork


8. Face-Melters


Xbox 360 (exclusive tracks are listed in italics)

1. Opening Licks

2. Amp-Warmers

3. String-Snappers

4. Thrash and Burn

5. Return of the Shred

6. Relentless Riffs

7. Furious Fretwork

8. Face-Melters

Bonus tracks

Xbox 360 exclusive tracks are listed in italics.

Xbox 360 exclusive tracks

File:Gh2-explorer-controller.jpg
Xbox 360 exclusive Gibson Explorer controller

A press release published on January 9, 2007 confirmed that there will be 10 additional licensed songs included in the Xbox 360 version of Guitar Hero II. The songs that have been confirmed at this time include:[16]

While the other songs are covers, both "Dead!" and "Possum Kingdom" are listed as "master tracks." The release also confirmed that additional songs will be available for download as soon as the Xbox 360 version of the title is launched. The first eight songs listed above are integrated into the eight sets [17], with "Drink Up" and "Kicked to the Curb" being 2 exclusive unlockable bonus songs[18][19], bringing the total track count to 74. [20]

It was originally suggested by Dusty Welch of RedOctane[16][21] and later confirmed by IGN [22] that many of the songs from the original Guitar Hero will be available for download from the Xbox Live Marketplace. In a GameSpy interview, RedOctane said that versus online gameplay was a probable future addition, and that downloadable songs would be priced the same as other similar services.[23]. Also claimed in various interviews, "Guitar Hero II will feature more downloadable content than any other 360 title".[24]

Featured instruments

Guitar Hero II features many popular real world Gibson, Epiphone, and Kramer guitars, including the Gibson Les Paul, Gibson SG, and Gibson Explorer. Oddities such as the double necked Gibson EDS-1275 and unusual looking Gibson Corvus also make an appearance. Several available finishes are also recognizable from popular guitarists, including Zakk Wylde's bullseye Les Paul. As play progresses, several custom shaped guitars become available, although some are notable in the real world such as the USA and Battle Axe (a similar looking bass was played by Gene Simmons). Basses, such as the Music Man StingRay, Gibson Thunderbird, and the Höfner bass are also available for co-op play.

The band itself plays with Orange amps and DW drum kits, along with more in-game endorsements. When the player passes each set of songs in career mode, his/her band is rewarded with money and equipment endorsements, including BOSS effects, Line6 guitar amplifiers, Mesa/Boogie amplifiers, and Roland keyboards. These products then appear on stage while the band plays the ensuing setlists.[25]

Venues

The venue system in the game has been altered slightly. Every venue is in a different city, and the career mode has the band traveling from town to town in order to play at the next arena. The band starts out at Nilbog high school in a battle of the bands competition, and then progresses out to bigger New England venues before crossing back to the west coast, making a stop at the Vans Warped Tour and culminating at Stonehenge in England. The latter is a reference to the film, This is Spinal Tap, in which the band perform the song "Stonehenge" on stage with a model of the monument. The venues now feature lighting and pyrotechnics that are synched with the music.

Characters

Eight characters are available from the start of the game. All characters except for the unlockables have an extra outfit available. All of the characters from the previous game return, and a few new characters are introduced such as Eddie Knox (a rockabilly), Casey Lynch (a blonde "rock chick"), and Lars Ümlaüt (an overweight, stereotypical black metaller).

Reception

The PlayStation 2 version of Guitar Hero II was welcomed with very positive reviews. It received a 10/10 review in the December issue of Official PlayStation Magazine and was awarded the Game of the Month award. The game received a rating of 9.5/10 from IGN,[26] ranking higher than the original game in the series and amongst IGN's highest rated PS2 games ever. It was also nominated for Best Game of 2006 on Gametrailers. Both GamePro[27] and 1UP.com[28] gave the game scores of 90%. GameSpot reviewed the game with a rating of 8.7/10,[29] slightly lower than its predecessor. According to Game Rankings,[30] the average critic score of Guitar Hero II is 93%, making it the 9th best reviewed game of 2006. Game Informer's Web site's main rating gave it a 9 out of 10, while its "second opinion" rating was even better, at 9.25/10.

The Xbox 360 version has earned slightly higher review scores so far before release, earning a 9.5/10 from Official Xbox Magazine, a 4.75/5 from GamePro, a 9.5/10 from Play Magazine and a 9.4/10 from IGN. As of April 3 2007, the Game Rankings score is 96%.[31]

Common praise for the game by critics is aimed at the new multiplayer and practice modes. Common critiques concern the song list, which includes more hard rock and metal than the previous game, deeming it less accessible to casual players.

Sales

In December 2006, Guitar Hero II for PlayStation 2 was the second top-selling video game of the month,[32] selling 805,200 units. It was outsold only by Gears of War for Xbox 360 (which sold 815,700 units).[32]

It was the fifth top-selling video game of 2006, with 1.3 million copies sold. It was also the third best-selling game for the PlayStation 2, behind Madden NFL 07 and Kingdom Hearts II.[32]

Both the December and annual figures are interesting in that they refer to the version of Guitar Hero II that is packaged with the guitar controller, which was priced considerably higher than most games for the PlayStation 2 at the time (about $80 USD).

Awards

Guitar Hero II has won numerous awards.

  • IGN's Best of 2006
    • Best Music Game[33]
    • Best PlayStation 2 Music Game[34]
    • Best Licensed Soundtrack[35]
    • Best PlayStation 2 Licensed Soundtrack[36]
    • Best PlayStation 2 Offline Multiplayer Game[37]
  • Next-Gen
    • 4th best game of 2006[38]

Technical issues

The PlayStation 2 version of Guitar Hero II has reportedly had some technical issues, according to some players. [citation needed] No official statement from RedOctane or Activision has been made about the discs or the game itself having any issues, but players have reported songs freezing or skipping, causing the audio to be unsynchronized, unusually long loading screens, and menus that freeze or lock up entirely causing the game to crash. The RedOctane Support Center Answer Guide states, "We’re already in the process of looking into this and testing to replicate the experience. We’ll notify everyone with our results shortly, and will have a positive resolution if need be. Until then... keep rockin’ on!" [41]

As of April 4, 2007, RedOctane has not yet publically commented on widely reported whammy bar issues in the Xbox360. [42]

Future games

Activision, which agreed to acquire RedOctane in May 2006, has announced that a third installment of the Guitar Hero series is set to launch sometime in 2007, most likely during the fourth quarter of 2007 or the first quarter of 2008.[43] Activision has also confirmed that the Guitar Hero franchise will be making appearances on other gaming consoles by next year. The only new versions confirmed so far are ones for the Xbox 360[2], Nintendo DS, and Wii .[44] It has yet to be revealed if any other system(s) will receive Guitar Hero II or its sequels, as each version would require its own special controller.[45] The multiplatform version(s) will be released this year. [46]

In addition, Activison has said their Guitar Hero II add-on game, Guitar Hero II: 80s Edition will launch June of 2007 for the Playstation 2 [47]. A setlist for the game has yet to be announced.

Activision has said that the names Guitar Villain and Drum Villain have been copyrighted as well for possible future sequels. It was confirmed by GameSpot that the Guitar Hero series would be ported to "all significant consoles" this year.[48][49]

GameSpot has also confirmed in an interview with Dusty Welch of RedOctane that Activision will not rely on Harmonix for future game development. This duty has been reassigned to Activison's internal studio, Neversoft, which RedOctane assures will not have any impact on the series' quality.[50]

Musical references

  • Some of the loading screens prior to a song are jokes and references specific to that song; for example, before encores, it tells the player never to "just jam" when the audience wants an encore (a reference to the movie This Is Spinal Tap), while prior to "Jordan", the player is told that wearing a bucket on one's head won't improve one's performance, a direct reference to the song's artist, Buckethead.
  • The drummer spontaneously combusting at the end of "Tonight I'm Gonna Rock You Tonight" is a reference to the movie This Is Spinal Tap, from which the song originates.
  • The scrolling text on the walls of the school venue contains various lyrics to Alice Cooper's "School's Out".
  • The chalkboard in the loading screen has various jokes relating to the game on it.
  • Prior to playing "Free Bird", the loading screen may say, "FINE. They're NOT just heckling you this time. SIGH.", a reference to a loading screen in the original Guitar Hero that read, "They don't really want you to play 'Freebird,' they're just heckling you.", itself a reference to a common joke in musician culture.[51]
  • The loading screen "Throw your undies on the stage, no wait you're underage." displayed whenever playing "Less Talk More Rokk" by Freezepop, is a reference (specifically, a lyric) to the song "Super Sprøde", which is a bonus song by Freezepop in the Harmonix PlayStation 2 rhythm game Amplitude.
  • Clive Winston will use a violin bow to play his guitar when star power is activated with him. This is a tribute to several guitarists, most famously Jimmy Page, who would often do the same thing during performances.
  • Xavier Stone will sometimes pick his guitar with his teeth when using star power in homage to Jimi Hendrix.
  • In the sound options section, everything can be turned up to 11, in reference to Spinal Tap.
  • In Practice mode, the bedroom has many Rolling Stones references. A Their Satanic Majesties Request poster, Let It Bleed album, and a poster of the band themselves in the far right corner.
  • Clive Winston often lights his guitar on fire at the end of a performance, a reference to Jimi Hendrix's onstage antics.
  • At the end of the credits there is a hail to Dimebag Darrell, ex-guitarist of Pantera, who was shot on-stage while performing with his then current band, Damageplan.
  • In the Nilbog high school venue, the clock reads 6:66, the Number of the Beast, a reference to the Iron Maiden song of the same title.

Non-musical references

  • On the Xbox 360 version of the game, the end of the final credits read "No pitchers were harmed in the making of this game. Except for one. Joel Zumaya. He had it coming." This is a reference to the current pitcher of the Detroit Tigers, who strained his wrist while playing the game during the 2006 American League Championship Series. The story received national attention for the perceived absurdity of the injury.

References

  1. ^ IGN: Guitar Hero II Interview
  2. ^ a b "X06: Guitar Hero 2 Announced for 360". IGN.
  3. ^ "Wii will rock Guitar Hero". GameSpot.
  4. ^ PALGN Updated Australian release list, 13/11/06
  5. ^ Spong confirm release UK date
  6. ^ "Nintendo Wii Gets Guitar Hero".
  7. ^ "Guitar Hero II Single Player Bundle (Game+Guitar)".
  8. ^ "Playstation.com - OPM - Issue 110".
  9. ^ TeamXbox: Guitar Hero II for Xbox 360 Box Art and Bundle Picture
  10. ^ TeamXbox: Guitar Hero II: RedOctane to Announce Xbox 360 Specifics
  11. ^ Joystiq - Gitar Hero Effects Pedal confirmed in 360 instructions
  12. ^ "Nintendo Wii gets Guitar Hero".
  13. ^ "IGN: Guitar Hero II Final Tracklist Revealed".
  14. ^ "Guitar Hero II IGN Set List".
  15. ^ a b While the original version of You Really Got Me was performed by The Kinks, the cover version in Guitar Hero 2 is based on the cover of that song made famous by Van Halen, based on the in-game information for this song.
  16. ^ a b Guitar Hero 2 Xbox 360 Hands-On Impressions Cite error: The named reference "Guitar Hero 2 Xbox 360 Hands-On Impressions" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  17. ^ http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/770/770537p1.html
  18. ^ http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/764/764899p2.html
  19. ^ http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/770/770537p2.html
  20. ^ http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/759/759579p1.html
  21. ^ Ars Technica: Guitar Hero 1 songs in Guitar Hero 2, and the best interview answer ever... twice!
  22. ^ http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/777/777444p1.html
  23. ^ http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/guitar-hero-2/754599p1.html
  24. ^ http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/764/764899p1.html
  25. ^ "A Day Spent in the Presence of the Mighty Guitar Hero 2".
  26. ^ http://ps2.ign.com/articles/743/743905p1.html
  27. ^ http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ps2/guitarhero2
  28. ^ http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3154996
  29. ^ "Guitar Hero II for Playstation 2".
  30. ^ "Guitar Hero II Reviews". Game Rankings.
  31. ^ http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/935834.asp
  32. ^ a b c NPD Releases December Numbers, Fanboys Riot, 1UP.com
  33. ^ http://bestof.ign.com/2006/overall/9.html
  34. ^ http://bestof.ign.com/2006/ps2/9.html
  35. ^ http://bestof.ign.com/2006/overall/24.html
  36. ^ http://bestof.ign.com/2006/ps2/24.html
  37. ^ http://bestof.ign.com/2006/ps2/27.html
  38. ^ http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4400&Itemid=2&limit=1&limitstart=4
  39. ^ "2006 Winners". gamecriticsawards.com.
  40. ^ "2007 Awards Winners" (PDF). IEAA. 26 February 2007.
  41. ^ http://www.redoctane.us/support-center/index.php?x=&mod_id=2&id=120
  42. ^ http://www.gamestooge.com/2007/04/03/guitar-hero-360-whammy-bar-problems/
  43. ^ "New Call of Duty, Guitar Hero, and 007 coming in 2007–8 69". Gamespot.
  44. ^ "Nintendo Wii gets Guitar Hero".
  45. ^ "IGN: Guitar Hero to Rock All Consoles".
  46. ^ "Gamespot: Guitar Hero going multiplatform".
  47. ^ "Activision announces to Guitar Hero 80's Edition for June".
  48. ^ "Gamespot: Guitar Hero going multiplatform".
  49. ^ "Nintendo Wii gets Guitar Hero".
  50. ^ "Gamespot: Q&A: RedOctane's Dusty Welch".
  51. ^ "Freebird: That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore".

External links

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