Guitar Hero World Tour First Look
Guitar Hero proved the market for music rhythm games is broader than
previously thought. Rock Band took the genre to the next step and made
it a more social experience by going beyond the six-string domain. Now
Guitar Hero: World Tour is answering back. It's not just about guitars
now that the full band is brought in. It's not just about playing
classic songs either. World Tour lets you become the rock star in every
way possible -- from playing the tunes to making the music itself. I
got my first look at the next game in the hit franchise and there's no
doubt about it: I'm impressed. Neversoft and Activision didn't sit on
their laurels and pump out a cash-in sequel. There's so much new here
that it's tough to decide where to begin.
t's tough to rock out without the proper equipment. Guitar Hero: World
Tour adds drums and vocals to the formula to go along with the already
present guitar and bass. It doesn't just add two new peripherals and
call it a day, though. This next Guitar Hero game will add new features
to the trusty guitar, as well.
The Guitar
World Tour introduces a new guitar controller that is even more
feature-laden than past designs. Before you get in a huff about just
buying the Les Paul or X-plorer models from past Guitar Hero games,
know that Activision has told us these will still work in World Tour.
They just won't have access to all of the new stuff the added features
bring to the table. That being said, you're going to want the new axe.
The biggest addition to the new guitar is the touch pad located on the
neck. While playing a song, this touch sensitive strip allows you to
alter notes during sustains by sliding up and down the strip (giving
more freedom and options than what you had before with just a whammy
bar). It can also be used for tapping to play notes, particularly
awesome if you want to mimic a slap bass. The real power of the touch
pad comes in the music creator. We'll get to that soon.
Other changes have been made to the design as well. The back/select
button has been made to look like the bridge of the guitar. It's easier
to hit for activating star power and gives a more realistic look to the
body. The entire body is bigger, as well, approaching something closer
to a real guitar. The d-pad has been given a bit of style as well by
reshaping it to look more like a knob.
All of the previous great features are still there on this guitar, too.
It's wireless and sleek, has an accelerometer for activating star power
(and more) and will make use of new custom faceplates. In short, it's
the best guitar controller we've seen yet.
The Mic
The microphone peripheral is fairly standard. It's wired and comes
without buttons. For menus and the like you'll need to use a
controller. To activate star power in the game, you won't have to wait
for a special section like you do in Rock Band. Tapping it or making a
making a quick similar sound at any time does the trick.
The Drums
Three pads, two raised cymbals, and one bass pedal make up the action
elements of this new drum peripheral. That equates to the basic setup
of a snare, two toms, two cymbals and a bass drum. The two cymbals are
raised above the three primary pads and, on the prototype set we got a
look at, had hinges and swivels on them so that you could position them
how you wanted. To activate star power with the kit you simply hit both
cymbals at the same time.
The first thing you'll notice when you see the kit in action is that
it's quieter than the Rock Band drums, which is great news for
neighbors everywhere. Each drum head is eight inches in diameter,
slightly larger than Rock Band's kit, so you'll be less likely to miss
when things get heated. Like the guitar, this puppy is wireless. That
won't really aid you in your posturing, but it will keep your room less
cluttered....
via xbox360.ign
