Review: Xbox 360 - Guitar Hero II

Those whose hands cramp at the thought of forming a chord on a 6 string guitar have been officially saved. Red Octane has finally shared the Fisher-price "My first guitar" series with a current generation console, and there's plenty to be excited about.

I'm sure I'm not alone in waiting for this release. The thought of spending that much money on a PS2 game makes me dry-heave a little inside. But that's a personal problem. Maybe that's why they keep trying to confiscate my Sony paraphernalia. Anyway, the allure of downloadable content, achievements, and competing with friends scores made the wait worth it.

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What is Guitar Hero, you might ask. Put simply and condescendingly, it is Dance Dance Revolution played via plastic guitar. For some reason, it's about ten times less embarrassing. Then again, I'm a musician, so holding a strummed device and dancing around like a jack-ass is nothing new for me or my friends.

Guitar Hero outshines its fore-bearer by choosing better music and being a bit more sensible and less physically tiring. It also manages to something I can define as fun. I've not had anyone play it that didn't like it yet.

Even those I've had try it that play real guitar have found enjoyment, especially in the Hard and Expert levels. Naturally, they decided to purchase the game that day (for PS2).

Is it better than the PS2 version? Overall, I'd say yes. But the SG-style controller is probably the better choice over the Explorer. The Explorer also seems to have buttons that travel a little bit more before engaging. The 360 comes through with Achievements, more songs, downloadable songs, and cleaner graphics, so it's definitely the way to go.

If you are a music fan or wish you could play guitar, buy this game. You won't regret it.

Rocks:
*Takes the DDR concept and makes it fun
*Difficulty levels fit any type of player
*Diverse Song selection

Rolls:
*The motion control in the guitar is a bit over-sensitive
*There may not be as many hit songs as people would like
*The design of the controller makes it difficult to know where the fretting hand is sitting sometimes (another button should have had a "home" marker)

Borrows "riffs" from:
Dance, Dance Revolution with a Fisher Price guitar

Rent or Buy: BUY.
Personal Appraisal: $89.99
MSRP: $89.99

Other Opinions:
9.1/10.0 @ 1up.com
9.3/10.0 @ teamxbox.com
9.5/10.0 @ gameinformer.com