Band Hero (Guitar Hero 6?)

[GLaDOS]

TRAILER: http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/21/ba...lowed-to-play/

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: http://bandhero.com/

For a while now, we've been asking ourselves "How different can Band Hero really be from Guitar Hero?" With today's release of the first trailer for the game, we have more answers than simply "Uh, the word 'guitar' has been replaced by 'band'." Specifically, the video lets us know that the game will feature a decidedly pop rock packed song lineup, to, y'know, make it more appealing to the mainstream ('cause Guitar Hero's soundtrack is so elitist).

It's also clear that, in addition to guitar, bass, drum and microphone peripherals, you'll be required to suit up at GAP before playing. Oh, and be a model. Will the specialized peripherals never end?

MSN Music's article on the game also mentions that the game disc will house 65 tracks (a partial list can be found after the break) and that DLC for Guitar Hero World Tour will be compatible with the game. Due for release this November on all consoles and DS, the game will also make use of the drop-in, drop-out gameplay feature found in Guitar Hero 5. Just remember: This totally isn't Guitar Hero. The name says so.

[Via Giant Bomb]
The All-American Rejects - "Dirty Little Secret"
Jackson 5 - "ABC"
Lily Allen - "Take What You Take"
No Doubt - "Just A Girl"
Taylor Swift - "Picture to Burn"
(Plus tracks from Snow Patrol and The Killers)

Another rhythm-based game with "Hero" at the end of it. It's GH: World Tour, but with a new name. Wow.

Feel free to share your opinions here about the game.

EDIT: Facepalms allowed.

[Icemage]

Sounds like Activision's response to LEGO Rock Band. Only without the cute kid-friendly image.

While the battle of Rock Band Beatles vs. Guitar Hero 5 is yet to be decided, unless Activision reveals something more than a dumbed-down version of Guitar Hero 5 with a somewhat younger target demographic, I'm inclined to think LEGO Rock Band will win this one handily.

Anyone who's been hanging out at rhythm-game enabled parties for any length of time is likely already aware of Rock Band or Rock Band 2, and everyone who has played both knows Rock Band is a vastly superior party game in every way. Sexy commercials and trailers notwithstanding, if they don't do something drastic to fix the gameplay, I don't really see how they're going to steal any significant market share from Rock Band (aside from die-hard GH fans who buy everything in the series... and maybe not even those, given their somewhat elitist attitudes towards difficulty).

[GLaDOS]

Originally Posted by Icemage

Sounds like Activision's response to LEGO Rock Band. Only without the cute kid-friendly image.

While the battle of Rock Band Beatles vs. Guitar Hero 5 is yet to be decided, unless Activision reveals something more than a dumbed-down version of Guitar Hero 5 with a somewhat younger target demographic, I'm inclined to think LEGO Rock Band will win this one handily.

Anyone who's been hanging out at rhythm-game enabled parties for any length of time is likely already aware of Rock Band or Rock Band 2, and everyone who has played both knows Rock Band is a vastly superior party game in every way. Sexy commercials and trailers notwithstanding, if they don't do something drastic to fix the gameplay, I don't really see how they're going to steal any significant market share from Rock Band (aside from die-hard GH fans who buy everything in the series... and maybe not even those, given their somewhat elitist attitudes towards difficulty).

You have a point; give or take Guitar Hero: World Tour hasn't started anything fresh or original from any other music-rhythm game franchise. They just stole band elements from Rock Band, as Rock Band stole (or inherited) elements from Guitar Hero.

Personally, I think this is a stupid idea to come up with Band Hero, because that should've been applied to Guitar Hero: World Tour. World Tour adds band elements to the game, and you still have to be a complete idiot to still include the insignia "Guitar Hero" into the title.

[dgator783]

Originally Posted by kotsedriver

You have a point; give or take Guitar Hero: World Tour hasn't started anything fresh or original from any other music-rhythm game franchise. They just stole band elements from Rock Band, as Rock Band stole (or inherited) elements from Guitar Hero.

Personally, I think this is a stupid idea to come up with Band Hero, because that should've been applied to Guitar Hero: World Tour. World Tour adds band elements to the game, and you still have to be a complete idiot to still include the insignia "Guitar Hero" into the title.

RB didnt steal anything from GH, HMX are the original developers of GH.....Activision/Red Octane's GH ripped off HMX's RB full band element

[GLaDOS]

Originally Posted by dgator783

RB didnt steal anything from GH, HMX are the original developers of GH.....Activision/Red Octane's GH ripped off HMX's RB full band element

Well, that's what my friend thinks. Personally, I know Harmonix (Original GH makers) tried to incorporate elements from their games to Rock Band, to make the game feel somewhat unique. Guitar Hero: World Tour (Band Hero 1) is the omega-ripoff of Rock Band.

[jono_0101]

Originally Posted by Icemage

Sounds like Activision's response to LEGO Rock Band. Only without the cute kid-friendly image.

While the battle of Rock Band Beatles vs. Guitar Hero 5 is yet to be decided, unless Activision reveals something more than a dumbed-down version of Guitar Hero 5 with a somewhat younger target demographic, I'm inclined to think LEGO Rock Band will win this one handily.

Anyone who's been hanging out at rhythm-game enabled parties for any length of time is likely already aware of Rock Band or Rock Band 2, and everyone who has played both knows Rock Band is a vastly superior party game in every way. Sexy commercials and trailers notwithstanding, if they don't do something drastic to fix the gameplay, I don't really see how they're going to steal any significant market share from Rock Band (aside from die-hard GH fans who buy everything in the series... and maybe not even those, given their somewhat elitist attitudes towards difficulty).

i agree with all of this statement, the rock band franchise is far above guitar hero in every sense of the word, and guitar hero is just continuing to rip off their ideas and hope that, along with the exclusive deals with some big name bands, will be enough to edge out rock band, but they are sadly mistaken

guitar hero is truly the microsoft of the music rythm game universe

[Icemage]

I'm not really being a Rock Band fanboy in this case, by the by. I like the franchise much more than Guitar Hero for many reasons, but what strikes me about this debut trailer for Band Hero is the marketing emphasis on young people getting together and jamming out (similar to what they did with Guitar Hero: On Tour for the DS).

I really think Activision is going in completely the wrong direction with Guitar Hero (and Band Hero... and DJ Hero... sigh) to capture this demographic; very few of the titles can transfer/export any of the songs to other games, and that's a complete buzzkill at parties and get-togethers when you have to physically change discs and reload a whole new game to get access to new songs (SingStar suffers from much the same problem, though the PS3 version fixes many of those issues - a brilliant move from Sony).

With Rock Band 2 you've basically got a one-stop shop for music gaming with lots of players; a newbie-friendly No Fail mode, a vast library of varied music to suit almost every taste, great co-op gameplay dynamics, and you never have to switch discs.

[Another_Dude]

Originally Posted by Icemage

With Rock Band 2 you've basically got a one-stop shop for music gaming with lots of players; a newbie-friendly No Fail mode, a vast library of varied music to suit almost every taste, great co-op gameplay dynamics, and you never have to switch discs.

That's it right there. Of all of the small and large differences between the two fanchises, to me that is the #1 reason why RB is better.

[Musashi]

Originally Posted by Another_Dude

That's it right there. Of all of the small and large differences between the two fanchises, to me that is the #1 reason why RB is better.

It'd be nice if DDR were to do that. In fact, they should make a way to drop all your songs from PS1/2 mixes onto the hard drive to play in the new game. But this is Konami we're about.

[jono_0101]

Originally Posted by Another_Dude

That's it right there. Of all of the small and large differences between the two fanchises, to me that is the #1 reason why RB is better.

guitar hero seems to be focused on releasing new discs for new songs too, granted i havent looked at GH DLC in awhile since i just stick to rock band, but if they would instead release more DLC, it would be a lot easier, im sure they can probably code DLC songs to work on any of the games in their lineup, but they seem stuck on discs, it sucks to have to spend $60 on a brand new disc for a few songs you want and a bunch you dont have any inerest in, with DLC based new songs, you can pick and choose what you want, spend less money, and get only songs you want to play, a way better option that going disc based

[cajmoyper]

Originally Posted by Another_Dude

That's it right there. Of all of the small and large differences between the two fanchises, to me that is the #1 reason why RB is better.

Well then what do you have to say about RB: Beatles? Anyways, I'm sure many of you know that I enjoy playing WT more than any RB on account of it's difficulty and song selection(personal preference). But that doesn't mean I don't like RB, I enjoy it to, but I'll be honest here, _____ Hero is getting out of hand.

[GLaDOS]

Originally Posted by cajmoyper

Well then what do you have to say about RB: Beatles? Anyways, I'm sure many of you know that I enjoy playing WT more than any RB on account of it's difficulty and song selection(personal preference). But that doesn't mean I don't like RB, I enjoy it to, but I'll be honest here, _____ Hero is getting out of hand.

Next thing after Band Hero, Activision will be focusing in classical music. Say, Piano Hero or Violin Hero?

[Icemage]

Originally Posted by cajmoyper

Well then what do you have to say about RB: Beatles?

The smart money says the non-exportability of RB: The Beatles was imposed by Apple Corps (the holding company for The Beatles), not Harmonix/MTV Games/EA. Plus they have a perfect example of how to do it right with the AC/DC Track Pack.

The real question is whether there will be any inter-game compatibility between Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero. There are unconfirmed (as far I am aware?) rumors that GH:WT will be exportable in some fashion into GH5, and supposedly the DLC is cross-compatible, so there's at least "some" improvement on that front. But honestly any time I have to change discs to play a new song and deal with a different game engine and interface is an automatic failure.

Anyways, I'm sure many of you know that I enjoy playing WT more than any RB on account of it's difficulty and song selection(personal preference). But that doesn't mean I don't like RB, I enjoy it to, but I'll be honest here, _____ Hero is getting out of hand.

I don't think it's "that" bad, or it wouldn't be if the games were exportable and/or cross-compatible, but having all these different games not work with each other does bad things in terms of splintering the user base.

I'm not sure if Activision realizes how much trouble their own policies are going to cause them a year or so down the line, but I wish that day of reckoning will arrive sooner than later.

[GLaDOS]

Originally Posted by Icemage

The smart money says the non-exportability of RB: The Beatles was imposed by Apple Corps (the holding company for The Beatles), not Harmonix/MTV Games/EA. Plus they have a perfect example of how to do it right with the AC/DC Track Pack.

The real question is whether there will be any inter-game compatibility between Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero. There are unconfirmed (as far I am aware?) rumors that GH:WT will be exportable in some fashion into GH5, and supposedly the DLC is cross-compatible, so there's at least "some" improvement on that front. But honestly any time I have to change discs to play a new song and deal with a different game engine and interface is an automatic failure.


I don't think it's "that" bad, or it wouldn't be if the games were exportable and/or cross-compatible, but having all these different games not work with each other does bad things in terms of splintering the user base.

I'm not sure if Activision realizes how much trouble their own policies are going to cause them a year or so down the line, but I wish that day of reckoning will arrive sooner than later.

Doubt it; we'll be putting yet another $60 in the crapper for another rhythm-based game in the Hero franchise.

[GLaDOS]

Official website's up and running. Get ready for a big wave of epic fail this coming November...

http://bandhero.com/

[mcx79]

competition breeds better games, let them have at each other!!!!

[GLaDOS]

Originally Posted by mcx79

competition breeds better games, let them have at each other!!!!

But can Guitar Hero breed a better game? Sales for both Rock Band and Guitar Hero has decreased a bit dramatically this year. Let's hope it doesn't end up like Dance Dance Revolution.

Link: http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/22/gu...iscent-of-ddr/

[jediknight807]

I actually prefer Guitar Hero. I tried the first Rockband, ended up returning it. Maybe they improved since the first, but I was not impressed. Dark, blurry, murky visuals instead of GH:WT's bright, vivid graphics. The interface was not as simple and user friendly as GH, drove me nuts. Even the notes are more difficult to see and read. And the overall gameplay was not really any better or worse either. Importing tracks may be a bonus, but I probably wouldn't use it anyway.

[Icemage]

Originally Posted by jediknight807

The interface was not as simple and user friendly as GH, drove me nuts. Even the notes are more difficult to see and read.

A lot of the interface differences are down to personal preference (i.e. GH's circle notes vs. Rock Band's rectangular gems), but anyone who thinks the menus in GHWT are easier to navigate needs to get their eyes checked.

The song selector in GHWT is made of so much fail it's scary - whichever designer thought the "magnifying glass" on the current song would be a good idea needs to die, since it's extremely hard to read any song title except the currently selected song.

And the overall gameplay was not really any better or worse either. Importing tracks may be a bonus, but I probably wouldn't use it anyway.

Spoken like someone who has never played GHWT in multiplayer.

Oh, and I can not imagine trying to scroll through my 700++ song Rock Band 2 setlist in GHWT. *shudder*

[Terjyn]

Originally Posted by jediknight807

Even the notes are more difficult to see and read.

I don't know why Guitar Hero you are playing, but the last few guitar heros have no indicator if you hit or miss a note at all in fast sections...the note still flares up and the gem still disappears regardless of hit or miss.

From a "difficulty to see and read", this is an utter killer in Guitar Hero. The only people it doesn't affect are those so good they never miss, and those so bad they never try said songs.