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Reviews (1)
06 March 2007
Guitar Hero 2 versus 1
Now that GH 2 is taking the world by storm, I've gone back to play GH 1. On first glance, you may think it's the same game with a new setlist, but GH 2 is actually an improvement over the first game in a lot of subtle ways. Firstly, there are more total songs in GH2 AND you can play 2 parts for each song, so the replay value is significantly higher. Also, the 2 player aspect allows you to play either the 2 parts cooperatively or straight out play the lead versus the other player, in addition to the mode from GH1 where you just play different parts of the song back and forth between players. The 2 player mode on GH2 is considerably more fun.
This game isn't really a graphical powerhouse, but there are more details included in the second game, in 2 ways. First, there are more venues to play at, and they are more fleshed out with more personality and more going on (though the basement level from the first game is classic). Secondly, there are more characters in GH2 and most have 2 outfits which fit their personality, including the necessary metalhead Lars Umlaut!
You'll also notice subtleties that improve the quality of your gameplay, such as purchases from one difficulty level carrying over to the others so that you don't start from scratch each time. There are more guitars, and more skins for them. Your band scores are tracked with the quickplay scores instead of seperately. It's just altogether a smoother, more well-thought out approach.
I'll admit that I like the setlist for the first game better. The second game has more variety, but is missing the feel of playing a lot of necessary classics that the first game has. Also, GH2 is a notch harder on all difficulties, across the board. Thankfully, it has a practice mode which the first game sorely needed.
All in all, I'd say look online at the song list for each game. You've gotta love the songs, cuz you'll be livin' with them. But if you don't favor one game over the other based on that, pick up the second one, it's a better experience. Then, if you get addicted to it like me, go back and buy GH 1. By the time you master it the third game will be out and we can all enjoy that!