June 30 - July 4
I'd have to be pretty stubborn not to give Game of the Week to Guitar Hero: Aerosmith. On 3 systems it is the only game being released this week, and on the 4th its only competition is a game called Purr Pals. And yet, despite the fact that I'm certain to rent this game--because I'm a whore for these games, and because I grew up listening to Aerosmith--rewarding the way that Activision is doing business in the virtual-rockstar genre is anathema. I realize that this has become the crown jewel of gaming, that their Guitar Hero franchise is every bit as precious to them as a Madden is to EA, but somehow it's the double whammy of turning both video gaming and rock-and-roll into some whored out corporate commodity at one turn that has completely turned me off.
I'm sure it's just an image thing, but somehow Harmonix, despite being in bed with EA, seems like the cool rock-star, while Activision comes off like Simon Cowell, all snide and haughty while making sure his Coke can is properly aligned for maximum product placement.
So, my game of the week is, instead, Trauma Center: Under the Knife 2.
PC:
- The Immortals of Terra
DS:
- 1 vs. 100
- AMF Bowling Pinbusters!
- Ducati Moto
- Journey to the Center of the Earth
- Trauma Center: Under the Knife 2
PS2:
- Guitar Hero: Aerosmith
Xbox 360
- Guitar Hero: Aerosmith
PS3:
- Guitar Hero: Aerosmith
Wii:
- Guitar Hero: Aerosmith
- Purr Pals
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Although I applaud your gumption, and your sentiment is certainly admirable, how did 1 vs. 100 not make game of the week? A DS game based on a marginally successful quiz show. What more could you ask for?
I hate you soo much Phil Collins!
Pharacon wrote:
So Guitar Hero went from Punk and Edgy to Mainstream and Sell-Outs?
That's Rock N' Roll baby!
Prederick wrote:
"When fascism comes to America it will be wrapped in a flag and carrying a cross." - Sinclair Lewis.
From the IGN review they haven't smoothed the difficulty curve for Trauma Center 2, otherwise I might have given it a look. TC1 was a great game apart from the insane difficulty spikes IMHO.
Edit: Hmm, in fact they have added an easy mode (I don't remember that being an option in the first game).
Quite.
But it's also part of the reason that I think so many people react negatively to the post-Harmonix GH franchise. Rock Band was JUST ported to the Wii. Meanwhile, we're getting On Tour, World Tour, Aerosmith... It's clear that the release schedule is meant to capitalize on the name branding, not really make a great game.
World Tour might bring back some credibility, with its interesting band-music-mixer mode and the attempt to add in an ability to create chords and whatnot. We'll see if the implementation is sturdy.
If it's not, RB2 (if and when) will most likely blow it out of the water.
Really though, the GH name is, at the moment, about as fresh as the Rolling Stones or KISS. Sure they were great once, maybe even industry innovators, but they're wheeling around on titanium knee-joints and walkers.
"Personally I'm looking forward to buying a PC with a 128 core processor integrated with 32tb of memory in about 10 years time. Shortly there after Will Wright's Spore 3 will become self aware and annihilate humanity in a nuclear holocaust."
Agreed. That was a game killer for me.
I guess the slow season is in full swing.
XBox Live: PoppinfreshGWJ
LobsterMobster wrote:
Sounds like those whisperings of Rock Band 2 that someone alluded to in the latest podcast are true:
http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2008/06/30/1624976-rock-band-2-to-include-...
This part is especially cool:
"If you've already downloaded a song for the original "Rock Band" — at about $1.99 per track, which can't be transferred to an MP3 player — it will immediately be loaded into your "Rock Band 2" song list without needing to be repurchased or re-downloaded. It's the first time such retroactive compatibility has been introduced in a music game.
"It's the No. 1 most-requested feature from our fans," said Rigopulos.
All prior versions of "Rock Band" instruments, as well as many from the competing "Guitar Hero" franchise, will also be compatible with "Rock Band 2." Harmonix will unleash a collection of new instrument-shaped controllers, including a sturdier drum kit and a Fender Stratocaster reproduction guitar lined with faux wood-grain buttons."
GH without Harmonix is Journey without Steve Perry, Guns N Roses without Slash, Van Halen without David Lee Roth OR Sammy Hagar
"I think Elysium has the right of it" - Certis
Just try and picture Activision doing the same. I dare you.
[stealth edit] While reading an interview about Rock Band 2, I came across this quote which I think illustrates both the douchebaggery of Activision and the attitude I like about Harmonix:
"I think Elysium has the right of it" - Certis
Burn!
I am really impressed with the backwards compat on the songs. Thats fantastic.
*imagines*
Oh mighty overlords how I've *head explodes*
Fletcher wrote:
Based on your choice of game of the week, I love you, Elysium. Have my manchildren.
Seriously though, I'm still angry at Activision over the PS3 Rock Band / GH guitar compatibility issue, and hearing this about RB2 (that the songs will carry over) makes it a preorder for me. I've bought about half of the RB songlist, which is a lot of money, and I'd be really annoyed if they didn't carry over, but thankfully they made that decision right.
Strange how some people seem to make decisions that put their customers first, while others make decisions that put their bottom line first. I'll do everything I can to go with the first set of people and not the second.
We seem to have a compulsion to bury time capsules..... I have placed some large samples of dynamite, gunpowder, and nitroglycerin. My time capsule is set to go off in the year 3000. It will show them what we are really like.
-- Alfred Hitchcock
The same way Metallica went
Anyone else think that the guy on the cover of Trauma Center 2 looks like Harry Potter?
XboxLive: georobGWJ
WoW - Cinster
I just heard the latest Rockband Wii radio commercial which features a 5 year old girl on vocals, little jimmy on guitars (after he's done with his homework, they say) and soccer mom on drums. That's the Wii market for you!
Knowing Rock Band songs will work in Rock Band 2 really helps with any lingering buyer's remorse. Now what about when I get an Xbox 720?
If it makes you feel any better you got full xp for a tough fight that you spent mostly bleeding to death. -KingMob
JUST PUZZLED YOUR ASS UP, SON! -Mr Crinkle
While I am an Activision-hater for the way they've ruined a series I loved, and for their lame corporate tactics, I do have to say that, when I watched the actual video on youtube, I didn't think the Activision exec was saying GH4 is the first game to eve create the full band experience. I heard him as saying it's the first time that will have happened in the GH series. "...Guitar hero 4, which is the first time you'll have four different instruments..."
Here's the clip: http://youtube.com/watch?v=Rmjq-IWPnK4
It doesn't detract from their douchebaggerie, but I'm all for treating the enemy fairly.
"It's a doggie-dog world."
-overheard on the subway, in a conversation between two gum-chewing girls
AMF Bowling Pinbusters!
Adios, Mother f*ckers Bowling? Excellent!
XBox Live:MaxShrek ..VexilumCaptus. 'I've made contact with the three American Surrealists: Harpo Marx, Disney, and Cecil B. DeMill'- S.Dali
Because medicine is simply magical. The guys' been trying to tell us that all along!
Journey to the Center of the Earth for DS? Hmm.
"Three blokes go into a pub. One of them is kind of stupid, and the whole scene unfolds with a tedious inevitability." - Bill Bailey
It should be said that the Rolling Stones started with a different level of talent and might have aged a little better than KISS, for crying out loud.
Steam ID: http://steamcommunity.com/id/nyles
Website: http://banditosbanditosbanditos.typepad.com
Favorite puzzle: Grim Fandango -- the metal detector
Accio appendix!
"All that time you waste dating and having sex could be better spent scouring the web for new game developer press releases." - Quintin_Stone