For me, at least. The first batch of songs for the latest installment in the popular RedOctane series was released today, and if this list is any indication, the game will be nothing short of spectacular.
I never thought I’d be interested in the DDR-style games that basically only involve mashing the right button at the right time, but my cousin sold me on Guitar Hero 2 last Christmas, and I’ve had a hard time putting it down since. The graphics are corny, but the animation is on-target with each song, and it’s not like you actually watch the animation much anyway when you’re playing.
I’ve stopped short of pursuing the Expert level in career mode because I have other hobbies (who has time to master that, when you could do something else or pick up an actual guitar?), but it’s an incredibly fun game to play, and you don’t even have to be good to enjoy it.
Guitar Hero 2 added an enhanced multiplayer system, where one person can play the lead guitar and another can play the bass, and the career mode enhancement gave the game enough of an edge over the cheaper original version to convince me to buy #2.
Now that I’m officially a fan, I’ve been following rumors about the third installment of the series (due before Christmas). There have been some elaborate online polls for people to suggest songs for GH3, although none of them were performed by the developers. Still, RedOctane seems to have listened, and this is what we can expect from this year’s version:
- Authentic rock venues
- Online multiplayer mode (too bad I don’t have the overpriced PS2 network adapter)
- An action-inspired battle mode, whatever that means
Of course, these new game modes will take a back seat to the songs, which for me are the real draw of the game. Guitar Hero 1 and 2 included only a handful of original recordings (some great ones, like “Trogdor”), but GH3 will include even more. The list of known songs so far is below.
Original Tracks
- “Cult of Personality” by Living Colour
- “Paint it Black” by the Rolling Stones
- “Cherub Rock” by Smashing Pumpkins
- “Sabotage” by Beastie Boys
- “The Metal” by Tenacious D
- “My Name is Jonas” by Weezer
- “Knights of Cydonia” by Muse
Covers
- “Rock and Roll all Nite” originally by Kiss
- “School’s Out” originally by Alice Cooper
- “Slow Ride” originally by Foghat
- “Barracuda” originally by Heart
I think if the developers had asked me one song that needed to be on GH3, it would have been “Knights of Cydonia,” so I’m beyond excited to see it on the first list of songs. They’re even using the original version, which is nice because I’m not sure a cover would have been any good. Actually, the last four songs on the list of originals should keep me happy, kind of like “Killing in the Name” does on GH2.
Hopefully the complete list will be out soon. I can’t wait.
jfwiii.net 