Say what you will about Game Informer and the pushy GameStop clerks that keep trying to get you to subscribe to it; the magazine gets the scoop on the games you want to hear about. This time, it's Guitar Hero 4, and the first details look mighty impressive, if not a bit familiar.
As previously hinted at by Activision, Guitar Hero 4 will see the introduction of multiple instruments -- drums, bass, vocals, and guitars. Where have we seen that before? But Activision are bringing the feature you've probably wanted since the series was first introduced -- the ability to create your own tracks.
Although these created tracks will not include vocals due to storage and copyright issues, the created songs can be named and then shared with other users online. At first, you'll be limited to uploading five songs, but if other users give your songs high ratings, you'll be able to upload more. Art can be created for songs as well, and guitars and drums can also be customized and created.
But if you're not interested in creating your own tracks, Activision are promising that all of the songs that will ship on the disc will be master tracks. And although they were wary of giving too much away, they confirm with Game Informer that Van Halen, the Eagles, Linkin Park, and Sublime will all have songs in the game.
And what a shock: No comment on their continuously shitty DLC plan. Guitar Hero III was the last GH game I'll ever buy and it was entirely due to Rock Band having new (And GOOD; not Linkin Park) music every week at a cheaper price while Guitar Hero released stuff every month it seemed.... and what it did release was Linkin Park, The Used, and Foo Fighters(Good band, but boring songs to play.)
In addition to freepablo's point, I will not be buying this game unless they let me use the $170 worth of peripherals I already bought for Rock Band. I don't need to spend $400 on fake instruments, and I also don't need to find space in my tiny grad student apartment for said fake instruments.
I skipped III and followed Harmonix over to Rock Band, but this sounds like a possible buy. I wonder how they're going to handle the whole creating tracks thing...
In addition to kielejocain's point, I hope to God the get rid of the forced battles during tour mode. Not only did they make a horribly lopsided battle system, they shoved it down your throats, sometimes making single player mode nigh-impossible to beat. Just stick with the guitar, and don't get fancy.
I swear that pain will rain down on them if Hotel California is exclusive to GH4, I would pay 10bucks for that song on Rock Band. Well, Prince would kick ass too, but doubt that would happen. Hes a control freak
Ugh, saw this coming a mile away.
As soon as Rock Band did well, it was inevitable that Activision would copy.
I thought the game was GUITAR Hero, not Band Hero.
I can't wait to see how non musician developers are going to do the drums and vocal detection from scratch.
The "create-a-song" doesn't appeal to me either.
I mean how often are amateur made note charts ever that great?
I bet the first week there will be a flood of Chocolate Rain, Mario/Zelda themes, Dragonforce, and Still Alive submissions.
I'll pass.
If they release it simultaneously in all regions and keep the price a lot lower than RB, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. How else do I upload eurodance guitar tunes to XBL?
I'll probably buy it if all my Rock Band equipment is compatible with it, but I'll still have to wait for more information on it. The song creation stuff sounds interesting, but I'd have to assume that it'll be super limited. I'm still pretty happy with Rock Band though.
Even then, my sister will probably buy GH4 and I can steal it.
Sounds interesting, but I'll have to wait until the setlist is released and we see more details about the custom track functionality before I can pass judgement. I might end up getting both RB and GH4, but only if they knock back the price on the Wii version of RB a bit. Regardless of how awesome the game is, I refuse to play full price for what EA is offering us.
And the awesomeness of having Sublime and the Eagles (finally!) in the game is canceled out somewhat by Linkin Park. Seriously, why Linkin Park? Regardless of your opinion of the group itself, I just can't see any of their songs being any fun to play. Dx
Honestly, I'm not all that interested in creating tracks. If I was going to make music, I'd...you know, actually make music. To have a true range of notes, chords, etc. for a guitar that has just five buttons, it's going to become a bit monotonous to create songs.
I'm with some of you that have said "compatible with RB instruments or shenanigans". I know they're trying to play hard ball with EA and Rock Band, but I can't imagine many people who will be willing to buy instruments AGAIN after buying them already...not to mention storing them. Who needs two sets of fake drums? Come on. Make it all compatible, and let the consumers decide based upon the songs and features available in the actual games. Plus, if RB players can have a whole collection of new songs to play and not have to rebuy instruments, plus have some new features, who's going to pass that up? They may sell a few less instruments, but they'll sell way more copies of the actual game.
If Activision manage to price the Guitar Hero 4 peripherals in Europe at a price that doesn't require gamers taking out second mortgages, I think they could be onto a winner.
Rock Band does look awesome, but £180 is too much for one game, no matter how good looking.
Eh. Their chance has passed for me personally. They only possible way I would have bought this is compatible instruments, but oh well. I doubt I'll be disappointed with Rock Band, anyway; I've played it almost everyday since Christmas.
At The Drive-In, Sublime......I think Activision is finally starting to fellate the right people. Bummer, Guitar Hero is dead to me...Harmonix needs to get on the ball
I much prefer Rock Band over the direction they took with Guitar Hero 3. That was such a let down despite a strong track selection. Boss battles and insipid shit like Dragonforce ruined it for me. Oh, also, the fucking impossible achievements didn't help either.
This all sounds good in theory, but frankly, I can’t be bothered with spending another $170+ on more fake instruments — especially if they’re going to continue to use their current DLC model. I’d rather buy myself a new guitar or something.
@DVDesign Yes the GH achievements were the worst. Who green-lit those?
Also RB is superior right now. A bigger drum set would be awesome and might sell this though. The song creation might be awesome if they don't limit it and just have an in-depth music creator.
And remember that mod made by the guitar zeros that used the GH controller like a synthesizer? I want that without the work. Make it happen.
I'm actually really tired of music rhythm games now in general. Guitar Hero and Rock Band especially. When Konami tried to bring over Guitar Freaks, Drummania and their other music games, America didn't care. But when an American company decides to rip off something else and put in american music and make it much more simpler and dumbed down, that's when GH sky rockets.
Neversoft has really fallen from grace. They were kings around the time of THPS3, but with skate. destroying Tony Hawk last year, and then Rock Band totally outshining GHIII. It's clear they aren't visionaries when it comes to rhythm games, and if their note charts are like the ones in GHIII, then I will be perfectly happy with Rock Band for the foreseeable future.
Create my own tracks? I'm curious if that is as good as it sounds. Does that mean that you will be able to compose your own music or create music from an mp3 because that would be sweet.
We Europeans aren't enjoying Rock Band. I doubt that many here have seriously thought about buying the €240 game. Personally, I've thought about maybe getting the Solus and a USB Mic but then I realise that then I'll miss half the fun. If Guitar Hero IV can have cheap instruments, then I'm sad to say that I'll prefer it over Rock Band. BUT I STILL NEED THIS GAME. DAMMIT EA, DAMMIT.
Well, of course. I can't imagine spending the hours upon hours that I've pumped into GH OR RB if all I had to play was a bunch of wierd-ass J-Pop bullshit. Damn Japomatics make the wierdest shit. God love 'em!
Can you trust a company that thought GH:Aerosmith was a good idea? Seriously, with all the DLC for rock band, why bother with getting neversofts low-rent knock off?
The create a song would be the only addition that I would be interested in. I hear the drum set up will have cymbols wich is cool, but I'm quite content with rock band
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Contest:
6:23 PM on 05.12.2008
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With all this hate towards GH lately and how awfully shitty it's gone, I think RB's easily the one to get. Maybe it'll open me up to more Rock music.
I so do not have enough space for both games.
As soon as Rock Band did well, it was inevitable that Activision would copy.
I thought the game was GUITAR Hero, not Band Hero.
I can't wait to see how non musician developers are going to do the drums and vocal detection from scratch.
The "create-a-song" doesn't appeal to me either.
I mean how often are amateur made note charts ever that great?
I bet the first week there will be a flood of Chocolate Rain, Mario/Zelda themes, Dragonforce, and Still Alive submissions.
I'll pass.
ALSO: Linkin Park... Haha, OH WOW.
I'll probably buy it if all my Rock Band equipment is compatible with it, but I'll still have to wait for more information on it. The song creation stuff sounds interesting, but I'd have to assume that it'll be super limited. I'm still pretty happy with Rock Band though.
Even then, my sister will probably buy GH4 and I can steal it.
This is from the article.
Way to shoot yourselves in the foot, Activision.
And the awesomeness of having Sublime and the Eagles (finally!) in the game is canceled out somewhat by Linkin Park. Seriously, why Linkin Park? Regardless of your opinion of the group itself, I just can't see any of their songs being any fun to play. Dx
the gaming industry seems to be filled with a level of stupidity unsurpassed by any other.
I'm with some of you that have said "compatible with RB instruments or shenanigans". I know they're trying to play hard ball with EA and Rock Band, but I can't imagine many people who will be willing to buy instruments AGAIN after buying them already...not to mention storing them. Who needs two sets of fake drums? Come on. Make it all compatible, and let the consumers decide based upon the songs and features available in the actual games. Plus, if RB players can have a whole collection of new songs to play and not have to rebuy instruments, plus have some new features, who's going to pass that up? They may sell a few less instruments, but they'll sell way more copies of the actual game.
Rock Band does look awesome, but £180 is too much for one game, no matter how good looking.
Now what will happen? As a response to Marvel VS Street Fighter, will DC team up again Mortal Kom...oh, wait.
In other news, that video is HYSTERICAL!
Anyone? Yes? Funny?
-Insane Ian
Also RB is superior right now. A bigger drum set would be awesome and might sell this though. The song creation might be awesome if they don't limit it and just have an in-depth music creator.
And remember that mod made by the guitar zeros that used the GH controller like a synthesizer? I want that without the work. Make it happen.
I totally don't understand.
Lame, gay, gay, mediocre.
But really, I'm not worried. This game will probably look just as goofy as GH3. Harmonix rules!
Well, of course. I can't imagine spending the hours upon hours that I've pumped into GH OR RB if all I had to play was a bunch of wierd-ass J-Pop bullshit. Damn Japomatics make the wierdest shit. God love 'em!
@Atuin:
Agreed 100%!
Bitch all you want, I would pay good money to do that on Drums in Rock Band or Guitar Hero.
BahamutZero:[i]""Van Halen, The Eagles, Linkin Park, and Sublime will all have songs in the game."
Lame, gay, gay, mediocre.[/i]"
The Eagles are gay? Come over here and say that again.
Unless they have some amazing thing like, dare I say, cake?