IGN
Harmonix's smoking-hot guitar game brings Barcelona delight. Details on the X-Plorer prototype and more.
RedOctane's surprise showing at X06 with Guitar Hero II created a different kind of harmony at the shooter- and action-heavy X06 showfloor in Barcelona, Spain this week. Harmonix's game appeared at the back of the main showfloor on a low stage completely playable on Xbox 360 via an unfinished gray and white Gibson X-plorer prototype and offering various songs from the sequel.
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 20 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. on
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 20 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. 360, slated for an early 2007 release date, will offer interested gamers the exact same content as the
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 20 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. version due on Sony's system this fall (with a great extras thrown in). It features more than 55 different new songs, versus and co-op play, new backgrounds and selectable characters plus the ability to play lead, rhythm, and bass guitar lines. The preview build we saw packed single-player, co-op and versus modes and for those who dared to show their flashy fret skills, the relatively solid preview build brought back that loving feeling in seconds. Occasional hiccups on the screen didn't interfere badly enough for skilled players, and we're certain these early glitches will be worked out by next spring. The preview build didn't offer all the songs available form the 55-plus song track, but we still got to rock out with YYZ, Shout at the Devil, and You Really Got Me.
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 20 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Rock out with new characters, 55-plus songs, and the new co-op mode.
Activision representatives were on-hand to discuss some of the Xbox 360 details, but refrained from many more. The Xbox 360 version will offer downloadable content on
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 20 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Marketplace after release, but exactly what the company wouldn't say. Extra songs might be bundled for a price like in Karaoke Revolution, while additional characters, backgrounds and guitars most likely will be offered for free. Again, Activision wouldn't say. It will also pack Achievements, but exactly how they will be worked into the game remains a mystery.
Activision wouldn't confirm whether the Xbox 360 version will enable online play in either versus or co-op. But given the extra time Harmonix has before the spring 2007 release, there seems like a good chance online play could happen. Even if Guitar Hero II doesn't support playable online features, basic Live support such as viewable achievements, leaderboards, friends lists, and chat should be available. We wonder, though, will there be a headset jack for the guitar to talk over Live? That seems likely. And can you create your own custom soundtrack? In the past, RedOctane has gone on record saying it didn't want to dilute the quality of gameplay, so it won't permit downloadable songs to be playable.
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 20 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Dig the new guitar...but will it really be white?
The prototype guitar body we saw at X06 is shaped like the Gibson X-plorer, and is rather unadorned with a white body and gray neck. We're not sure of the guitar will remain this same color, matching the Xbox 360's cool white, or if it will sport black, red or other colors. (We hope it doesn't remain white. Boring!) But RedOctane hopes to give each console a uniquely colored guitar, so perhaps this is the final color. The strumming paddle is placed in the center of the body, and the five multicolored buttons are square instead of circular. The prototype also features a D-pad, start and back buttons, a whammy or tremelo bar, a guitar strap, and as you'd expect, an Xbox 360 Guide button. The prototype is less bulky than the original Guitar Hero design, which may mean it's just slightly harder to rest it on your leg if you prefer sitting while playing. Activating star power is still done by tipping the guitar upward when the star meter is full.
As expected, the game looks like a higher res version of the PlayStation 2 model. There are additional characters, such as King Kendall and Judy Nails, and the backgrounds are as cartoony, bright, and flash as before. The only difference seems to be they're new, brighter in color, and a little zanier in design. Of course, the game looks sharper and crisper with the higher res textures, but it won't win any graphics awards (nor does it need to).
According to Activision, Guitar Hero 2 is still a one- to two-player game. There is no word yet on how many or if there will be additional guitars for sale, or what the exact date will be. Nonetheless, I'm psyched about the prospect of playing this new game on Xbox 360, though I obviously won't wait; I'll be getting this when it ships on PS2 this fall. Of course, after beating it and getting really good at it (I still need some practice), playing Rush's YYZ on 360, opening up achievements, and hanging out online should be a great way to extend the magic. We'll have more soon on Guitar Hero 2.
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