Guitar Hero 2: Hind Sight
As a kid Voltron was my favorite cartoon. Not even GI Joe or Transformers could compete. In fact, my love of that show left such an impression on me, I can still vividly remember watching it.
One day in particular stands out – for some reason I came home early from school. I don’t remember if I was 
sick, or had a doctor’s appointment or what. But I was home and I knew Voltron was going to be on.
The anticipation I felt knowing that I was going to sneak in an extra episode was intense. The irony is all I really remember from that day was my anticipation. But in many ways that’s all that mattered. I loved Voltron and I was convinced nothing could change that.
And nothing did. Until last year when Cartoon Network began airing the show.
Let’s just say it didn’t age well. In fact it aged so poorly that I’m in disbelief that I ever thought Voltron was good. How did I miss the gaping holes in the plot? The horrible voice acting? Even the animation was awful. In short, what was I thinking?!
That’s what I fear is happening to Guitar Hero 2.
Having spent 4 days playing Rock Band with friends, Guitar Hero just seems empty. It’s like I’m trying to play catch by myself. Sure it’s fun for the first few minutes. But walking across the field to get the ball gets old.
Don’t get me wrong, Guitar Hero was an awesome game. It’s simply been eclipsed by a much better game. And there’s nothing wrong with that. That’s the way the video game industry works.
Everything I thought was fun and cool about Guitar Hero has been improved by Rock Band. The songs are better, downloadable content is awesome, and playing with friends is just fantastic.
I even prefer the Rock Band controller.
The problem is I don’t own Rock Band. I don’t even own a 360. And while I’ve enjoyed not worrying about the Red Ring of Death, now I find myself thinking about that green and white console. I just don’t think I can go back to playing Guitar Hero regularly.
Sometimes learning something new really ruins the old experience.
June 4th, 2008 at 11:05 am
I wonder how this sentement is going to play out as Guitar Hero jumps into the co-op multi-instrument scene as well with Guitar Hero: World Tour. Will gamers be willing to buy a second set of fake rock instruments, and will the Guitar Hero franchise step up and deliver an experience that is as fantastic as Rock Band?
June 4th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
That’s actually a really good question, and something I’ve wondered myself.
If I owned Rock Band you’d have to make one heck of a game to make me buy a new set of instruments.