Guitar Hero 2

As anticipated, I had the opportunity to play a lot of Guitar Hero 2 this past weekend. It felt wonderful; it was nice to have a weekend not involving anything stressful. I hooked up my PS2 to the big screen TV, so it was much easier to see what I was playing.

Overall, I think Guitar Hero 2 is a great game. There is much to be excited about, and only a few things that take away from the game.

Strengths:

• Game play is almost completely the same...easy transition.
  
• Some great rock tunes are in the mix: Carry On Wayward Sun, Freebird, Cherry Pie, Shout at the Devil, Sweet Child of Mine.
• I like that you need to get through 40 songs to complete the career mode, not 30.
• I like the Dethklok and Trodgor bonus tracks.
• I really appreciate the option to play rhythm, lead or bass guitar in certain songs.
• The cooperative mode is a great deal of fun...I appreciate the fact that you are working together instead of against each other.
• There is more variety of graphics in loading menus. The quotes are also funnier.
• They made career mode somewhat more involved.
  

Drawbacks:

• I liked the songs from Guitar Hero better than the songs from Guitar Hero 2.
  
• Many of the songs this time around are long; many are also very repetitive and this can get old after awhile.
• The jump from medium to hard is a large jump. Also, overall the game seems to be harded on all levels than it was in Guitar Hero.
• I wish there was a high score board for cooperative mode efforts.
• The bonus tracks are not as good overall.
• I miss the "Grim Ripper" from Guitar Hero. He looked cooler.
• It wierds me out that when you make a mistake your note scroll shakes. Odd.

Overall, it's a great game. I (and Christa) look forward to many hours of playing.