 Rockband VS Guitar Hero comparison |
| Review Date: October 26, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Halicon5, Casper, Wyoming United States |
I'm nearly timid to write this review since of the fanboys out there. It is really impossible to review Guitar Hero World Tour and not equate it to Rock Band and before Guitar World games. That's perilous since there are two camps of fanboys, the "Guitar Hero Rulzorz!!!!!!!1!" fanboys and the "Rock Band Roxxors!!!!!!!!!" fanboys. Right at this moment the internet is their field and the empty, futile insults and flame wars are flying through the internet tubes. It's irrational and it's stupid. Why is it so irrational? Since both games are pretty much pure awe-inspiring, but neither is perfect. I'll repeat it again. BOTH GAMES ARE PRETTY MUCH PURE Awe-inspiring, BUT NEITHER IS PERFECT. Please don't hunt me down and poison my dog for saying that.
Most casual and family-fun gamers will have a blast with either Guitar Hero World Tour (GHWT) or Rock Band 2 (RB2). Both games cost about the same, many of the songs are available in both games, both games have downloadable content and online play. I seriously don't reckon a majority of the people that don't classify themselves as "hardcore" are going to notice or even care much about the subtle differences between the two games. If you have the choice, pick the PS3 or XBox 360 versions of games over the Wii versions.
IF YOU ONLY OWN A WII... do not buy choose Rock Band 1 instead of this game. Either buy Guitar Hero World Tour or wait for the more perfect Rock Band 2 to hit the scene. Rock Band 1 has so many missing facial appearance that it's nearly criminal, but Rock Band 2 is supposed to return with more facial appearance and will be able to compete with GHWT much butter. I can't equate GHWT to RB2 for the Wii since RB2 isn't out yet, but I don't reckon you'll be terribly disappointed if you chose GHWT, but I can't promise that.
Now to really discuss the game itself. What do you get for your $190.00? A lot. The full-band translation of the game includes a guitar controller, the 6 piece drum kit, a microphone, and the game. It's a huge box and they pack a lot into it. I'm going to review each element individually and then the game itself.
THE GUITAR CONTROLLER:
I have a like-despise link with video game guitar controllers. I play real live intsruments and these things never feel right for me. GHWT's guitar is no uncommon in that respect, although it has uncommon facial appearance.
Guitar Pros:
+ The touch sensor on the neck is clean and innovative. I like it.
+ The whammy bar seems a bit more reachable
+ The strum bar is a bit clickier than the Rock Band guitars but not as stiff as Guitar Hero III (GH3).
+ Wireless.
+ Overall it feels very responsive.
Guitar Cons:
- The fret board buttons seem tougher to press in than RB2 and GH3. More fatigue on the left hand.
- WII ONLY: It requires a Wii Remote. I really don't like that.
- The whammy bar seems to swing down out of reach ocassionally when I'm not paying attention.
All in all, aside from the Wii remote insert requirement, it's a decent controller. The RB2 controllers annoy me since the strum bars are too mushy for my taste, but RB2 controllers have better rejoinder for the left hand fret buttons. Either way I reckon you're making a compromise. Sorry fanboys, no clear winner here.
THE DRUMS:
Ok... they should have just altered the name of the game to Drum Hero. Seriously, the drums feel that excellent.
Drum Pros:
+ The drum stand is a very solid contsruction. It has excellent weight and feels well made.
+ The stuck-up cymbals are just plain awe-inspiring. Improves the realism immensely.
+ The pads are a lot quieter than the RB1 and RB2 drum kits.
+ Wireless
+ The pads are difficulty insightful... if you hit harder or softer, the game responds to a degree.
+ The kick pedal feels more responsive than rock band pedals.
+ Velcro has been attached to the bottom of the kick peddle. I didn't notice at first, but what a nice touch....
Drum Cons:
- Crappy, generic sticks, just like RB1 and RB2 pack in. You may want to buy your own.
- The kick pedal feels flimsy. I really have a terrible suspicion it's going to break on me.
- WII ONLY: The drums require a Wii Remote also. Again, I really don't like that.
Taken as a whole, it feels like the developers for GHWT sat around reading a year's worth of internet complaints about the Rock Band drum kits and resolute to make some very excellent improvements. Rock Band may have done it first, but GHWT is doing it better. The sole exception is the durability of the kick pedal. The kick pedal broke for a lot of people in rock band, and I have a terrible suspicion that GHWT's kick pedal is abstractedly less durable. If you are trying to choose between RB2 and GHWT and the drums are your huge thing, I reckon GHWT is the better choice.
THE MICROPHONE:
I'll be honest, I haven't played much with the microphone on either RB2 or GHWT. I'm having too much fun with the guitars and drums on both games to care much about the vocals. Both systems feel pretty much identical, both have the singer stuck to a wired peripheral. Neither game has any kind of steering controls which requires the singer to always have a fixed controller meeting handy. Someone else probably has a better review of the vocal functions. Trust them, not me.
THE GAME ITSELF:
This is what really counts. No matter how excellent the peripherals are, if the game you are before a live audience is a poorly plotted piece of junk it won't be any fun.
Guitar Hero Pros:
+ Facial appearance, facial appearance, facial appearance, facial appearance. Lot's of facial appearance and modes.
+ Every platform (Wii, PS3, and Xbox 360) appears to have all of the facial appearance, although Wii has a small Storage space space space problem, but you're allowable to save things to SD card.
+ Did I mention that it is loaded with extra modes and facial appearance?
+ Note timing seems to be very solid. The game isn't forgiving, but it doesn't require such delicate precision that harder levels are unplayable.
+ Compared to GH3 the guitar lines feel more untreated and less contrived. I was able to play guitar on "hard" right off the bat.
+ The drum lines feel really fantastic and are a blast to play. A truly stuck-up drum encounter.
+ The drummer can trigger Super Power Rock Star Glowing mode at any time instead of waiting until preset moments like in Rock Band.
+ Graphics are clean crisp and commonly don't get in the way.
+ Notes seem to stand out on the screen better than in Rock Band, and color blind people such as myself should be glad to know that the drums don't have a yellow kick-drum note meeting in a yellow-greenish background while in Rock Star Super Glowing mode.
+ I reckon hammer-ons work a bit better than in GH3 and RB, but I'm still deciding. They're certainly smoother than GH3, but it may be a matter of preference for how hammer-ons work between RB and GHWT.
Guitar Hero Cons:
- The MY BAND IS ABOUT TO FAIL meter is hard to read, tucked way off to the side, and commonly sucks. Rock Band did that way better.
- I still am baffled as to whether or not Rock Star Super Glowing Power mode is something all shares or builds up individually. Another example of something Rock Band clearly did better, in my opinion.
- I'm not sure why, but the notes in GHWT have the illusion of coming down quicker than in RB2, which makes me feel rushed. I may be hallucinating, but I really feel there is a bit of adjustment between the two games.
- Menu steering seems needlessly more hard than either GH3 or RB2.
- You have to unlock most of the really cool songs. I despise this. I really, really, really, despise it. I despise it with acid, spiders, and scorpions. I wish music games would quit doing this... locking 70% of music library until you reach some arbitrary achievement is annoying and hurts the party-game atmosphere.
- This game will start some of the worst Rock Band VS Guitar Hero flame wars the internet has ever seen. Forget the hostile divide between McCain VS Obama supporters... these fanboys are out for blood. Some friendships will be ruined by this game. I wish I was kidding.
I've spent hours and hours before a live audience both this game and Rock Band. Honestly, I reckon Guitar Hero World Tour is the better game when compared to Rock Band 2, BUT ONLY BY A Small BIT. The drums are what do it for me. I'm willing to forgive the terribly designed MY BAND IS ABOUT TO FAIL meter, but that doesn't stop me from argumentative about it. I don't like how Rock Star Super Glowing power is implemented as well, but the drummer can initiate it when they want, which is nice. When it comes down to it, both games are in effect the same. Go buy a game, grab some friends, and have some fun.
For people who want to draw bitter battle lines over the two games, I'll place it into perspective for you: be glad that you're financially stable enough to hold a high quality $200 game from your developer of choice. Be glad that both of these companies are trying to one-up each other to provide the best encounter out there to their customers. That kind of struggle is just so why both of these games are so spectacular.
(Except the Wii translation of Rock Band 1...) |
Wii Will Rock You!
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| Review Date: October 30, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Not My Name, Oregon |
I just want to start off by saying i am not your super hardcore gamer. I judge all systems have their perks and if i could i would own one of all. Not anything would ever beat the like i have for my Atari though, so if you will you can consider me an Atari fangirl.
I have never played any Guitar Hero games pre GHIII, but i have played it on both Wii and PS3. The only translation of Rockband i have played is Xbox, so hopefully that gives you an thought of where the core of my review is coming from and why i will be relating GH4 to Rockband (Xbox) and GHIII (Wii).
DRUMS: I'm gonna start with the drums since lets be honest that is why most of us are getting the entire band kit.
Pros:
+ Compared to the Xbox translation these drums are out of this world.
+ You get 2 cymbols which are connected by a "headphone" jack into the drum board it's self.
+ The cymbols can be raised or lowered to your prefered height
+ The stand for the drums is sturdier and can also be raised and lowered to your liking
+ They have a specific spot and two small "fingers" that flip out from the left and right side of the blue drum that will hold your sticks
+ The kick pedal is much much MUCH better than Rockband (Xbox). You no longer get shin splints from trying to hover your foot. If you rest back far enough on it, you can just let the GIANT spring that is now a part of the pedal hold the weight of your foot. (I'm only a size 8)
+ For those of us who have carpet, there is velcrow on the bottom of the pedal to help hold it in place.
+ Drums are quieter than Rockband (Xbox) and the painted ring around the drum is rubber as well, so for those of us who miss sometimes, no more stick hostile to fake.
+ Hit sensativity on the drums, there are certain notes where the harder you hit (not as hard as you can) you'll get more points
+ Midi usb cable port in drums to upload things like the patch for some of the drums that are having problems with drum sensativity.
Cons: I know there has to be some flaws right?
- The sticks are cheap and light in weight, but they will work for now.
- While the cymbols are cool, they are more on the louder side of loud when being hit.
- You do have to have a wiimote in the drums, which is fine but that just means i will be going through and charging a lot more batteries.
- After awhile of before a live audience you should check the lock nuts that hold the cymbols down as they tend to get loose.
- Drum sensativity for some is a major issue, which they have released a patch for.
- I don't really care for having to hit both cymbols at the same time for star power since while it's meant to pick up the next note for you as an automatic hit, a lot of the time it doesn't work.
GUITAR: Talk about an awe-inspiring invention.
Pros:
+ The weight is meant to be more "realistic".
+ The look and style
+ The touch pad makes it so you hold down the fret still, but can tap the touch bar instead of strum or slide your finger for the "Weh" sound.
+ Tilt action for star power or star power specific button
+ New style and look of the whammy bar that feels more realistic
Cons: One in every group.
- I despise the crappy guitar strap they give you, it's itchy and i always replace it with a real one
- The strum bar feels more like the Rockband one and has that lose clicking feel and sound (but maybe it's better built inside?)
MIC: Sing your heart out.
+ I have a really child like voice and i've done a few songs and it's worked out okay so far.
+ On one of the screens it also says something about if your voice is low, not to worry it will still work.
+ Has more weight to it for a real feel
Cons: More cons than the others.
- It's not wireless, but it still uses the Wiimote and it's batteries
- It takes a lot of effort to get it to work. It has to be plugged in while the system is off and then turned on, not in the middle of game play. (that was my encounter anyway)
- The words that scroll by are so small and i have a flat screen 32in TV and was before a live audience with JUST vocals
- The song choice is fantastic for drums and guitar but i was born in the early 80's and do not know lots of the songs.
Overall the game is fantastic. It has taken the Rockband thought and place it into the quality of GH. There are new facial appearance like downloadable content and the studio where you can go in and make your own music. I was not looking forward to this figure since i plotting it was going to be a bit too intricate, but just a few minutes in there and i had the basics down and was loving it.
Like Rockband it gives you lots of options to make your own person, band name and band symbol. There are so many choices of items and things that i feel overwhelmed with them at times and i spent about 2 hours last night just making my person and her drumset and it felt like no time had passed at all.
I reckon if you are into having a excellent time either just you, some friends or at a party this is a must have game. From what i've heard about Rockband Wii translation, GH4 is the better way to go for facial appearance and fun. It's a solid game and i don't reckon you'll be dissapointed. I find it hard to judge that i have given other games 5 star reviews when this game just surpasses them all in fun. I would have given it a 10 star review if i could have.
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Its fantastic, and here's a small bit of advice
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| Review Date: October 27, 2008 |
| Reviewer: A. E. Campbell, Northern Illinois |
I bought the game the very first day since we have wanted rock band ever since we played it on the xbox. Yet, I'm a wii person.
This translation has TONS of excellent songs. Nice variety too. Also, the drums are way better since of the secret code.
My boyfriend is a drummer so he was able to do songs on hard straight away since it was close enough to a real drum set. But something we noticed is it feels like you have to slam down on them with the provided sticks. We pulled out a heavier pair of his, and it instantly became more fun. Compared to a normal set of sticks, those feel like balsa wood, or bamboo.
We are very pleased we held out, even though we didn't know a uncommon translation would be incoming. I would highly recommend getting it. |
A Parents Perspective
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| Review Date: January 5, 2009 |
| Reviewer: JAYBIRD, Pelham, NY USA |
Last Christmas ('07) we bought the Wii gaming system for our children, after owning the Nintendo Gamecube for several years. The "family forthcoming" games that seem to specifically target the Nintendo platforms, have kept us away from the more graphically sophisticated SPS and XBox systems.
That said, this review focuses soley on THIS game (Guitar Hero World Tour), for THIS system (Nintendo Wii).
We had owned Guitar Hero III for quite a while and had always loved it. It's one downside was the lack of multiplayer skill. With six of us in the family.....two adults with four children ranging in ages from 6 to 17......we try and look for as many multiple player games, with child forthcoming themes, as doable. As we see it, video games have taken the place of the more traditional board games in this day and age.
With Guitar Hero World Tour, I view this as a positive.
Four players at once can join in on the fun, and what makes it all the better, is the skill to to vary the problem background of each instrument depending on the talents of the individual "musicians". So when our six year ancient son wants to play guitar along with his fourteen year ancient sister before a live audience drums, he can set his level at beginner while hers is at well ahead. The rest of us can work our way in everyplace in the middle.
While nights at the kitchen table before a live audience Clue as a family will always hold a dear place in my heart, rockin' out in the family room to Bon Jovi's, Livin On a Prayer is right up there.
With so many available songs, it isn't hard to find a bunch that all enjoys jamming together on.
I would recomend purchasing a second guitar to anyone who is joining the Guitar Hero craze for the first time, but if you own a before translation, you'll be pleased to know that the original guitar works with this game as well.
As the parent of teens, I also appreciate the fact that it's at least one reason for my kids to consider invitig friends over to our house on occassion, so that I might keep a closer eye on them.
All of this said, be sure to monitor and choose how age appropriate each song is. Dredge up, it's still rock and roll.
Two huge thumbs up, from an aging rocker, and father of four! |
Fantastic family fun
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| Review Date: September 25, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Penguinsfan, Pennsylvania Kiln, PA USA |
| This set is a lot of fun for the whole family. You do have to make sure you have 3 break Wii remotes if you want to be able to use the drums, guitar and microphone at the same time, though. As a bonus, this set works fantastic with The Beatles Rock Band as well. |
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