A rocking sequel to last year’s sleeper hit, “Guitar Hero II” brings more of what made the original music video game so great, then cranks up the volume as loud as it goes.
Who says follow-up efforts are always lame? The new version, available this week (Rated T, $69.99 with guitar controller, $49.99 for just the game, PlayStation 2), improves on the original in just about every way, with some great multiplayer modes and an expanded song list.
The basics remain the same: players perform songs using an included stringless, plastic guitar that plugs into the PS2 and acts as the controller.
Think of the gameplay as a wild, catchy blend of “American Idol” and “Dance Dance Revolution.” The guitar has five colored fret buttons and a strum bar instead of strings, as well as a whammy bar you can grab to oscillate long power chords.
You must time your guitar strums to a series of colored circles that scroll down the on-screen fret board.
It’s a perfect performance venue for those with an unquenchable need to play air guitar whenever they hear rock and roll.
You COULD play with the regular PS2 controller, but that would be like playing a flight simulator with a computer keyboard instead of a proper flight stick.
Likewise, you COULD play this one alone, advancing your solo career from underground unknown to arena-packing supergroup.
But then you’d be missing out on the best additions in “Guitar Hero II” – the new multiplayer modes.
“Cooperative” mode in particular is a righteously rocking party game where two players work together, with one playing lead guitar and the other taking up rhythm or bass.
It’s an amazing sensation of actually playing a favorite song that makes your pulse rise and gives you the urge to flail around like a nut. What more can you ask for in a video game?
If you don’t already have last year’s version, a second guitar controller is a must.
One of my biggest complaints from the first version remains unchanged. The controller is tethered to the PS2 by a rather short cable. So don’t get too carried away – you may end up unplugging the guitar in a fit of musical passion, as I did on several occasions. A wireless controller is available – for another $59.99.
The new tunes (there are more than 55 songs in all) include Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs” and “Stop” by Jane’s Addiction. These aren’t the actual recordings, but well-done remakes that for the most part sound almost exactly – but not quite – like the original.
With the upcoming release of spiffy new consoles from Sony Corp. and Nintendo Co. getting all the attention, it’s easy to overlook games for older systems such as “Guitar Hero II.”
But don’t – you’ll be missing out on one of the year’s most fun and addictive games.
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