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Is Guitar Hero Live too Unconventional?

Is Guitar Hero Live too Unconventional?

When it comes to music games, Guitar Hero was the beginning for many of us. There were the Dance Dance Revolution games and various import titles like Taiko no Tatsujin , but Harmonix’ Guitar Hero was the one that made a mark. It was the sort of game that could make you feel like a star, even without any musical inclinations. It may have been a successor to Guitar Freaks , but it felt new and fresh to us.

Now, Guitar Hero Live is here. Well, nearly here, given that FreeStyleGames is working on preparing it for a Fall 2015 release. The thing is, it doesn’t feel like the earth shattering announcement it should. Rather than appearing as a welcoming presence, Guitar Hero Live comes across as something that theoretically might work, but lacks the panache of the original games.

I mean, the first time I heard about Guitar Hero Live , I didn’t think of Guitar Hero . The controller is being completely retooled, with a new model that eschews the colorful button scheme of previous peripherals, opting for a more realistic look that relies on two rows of three buttons. The appearance is far more practical, but doesn’t retain the user-friendly look of the original series.

The move to live footage of actual people from customizable, cartoonish avatars is questionable as well. Part of the fun of going through the solo mode wasn’t just getting access to more songs. It was about getting to make the characters look a little different. Guitar Hero Live ‘s shift uses some interesting motion control technologies, but takes away something that some looked forward to each game and replaces it with what is essentially a more advanced full motion video. It’s an unusual choice, and one that we’ll only know if it works after seeing it in action.

But it’s the multiplayer element that could provide the greatest pause. You also have to wonder about how entertaining it will be in a group setting. Having a 24 hour Guitar Hero TV option with channels of music videos to play has never been done before. It’s undeniably different. As both Guitar Hero and Rock Band neared retirement, the series branched out and allowed people to enjoy a full band experience. With Guitar Hero Live , it appears everyone will be playing the same instrument and song at once, with a real time leaderboard on the left showing who’s the “best.” One has to wonder if there will be the same sense of community.

Is Guitar Hero Live too Unconventional?

Meanwhile, Rock Band 4 is going out of its way to ease the transition from one generation to the other. Past DLC is all going to be compatible. Harmonix is attempting to make previous peripherals work with the more recent hardware. Instead of completely tampering with what worked, it’s offering a fresh take on nostalgia.

When you get a series like Guitar Hero , people are going to come in with expectations. Many grew up with this game. They’re going to want to go in and have Guitar Hero Live evoke those same feelings. Change is good, but too much could prove alienating. While it seems like FreeStyleGames has some promising ideas, one has to wonder if it’s all too much.

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