Okay, so here's the deal: I missed DJ Hero when it first came out. It was under my radar. That's what happens to games that aren't on your "list" sometimes, especially when none of your gamer buddies are playing it. But, having a wife does have some interesting consequences, and when your wife plays video games, those consequences often include picking up games that you wouldn't normally choose.
So, with DJ Hero 2 coming out this October, I wanted to look back and give a review on the original DJ Hero game.
To set the stage for my eventual judgment call on this game, it may help to understand my experience with the rhythm-game genre and with music itself. While I'm not an absolute pro (I tend to play on "hard" difficulty), I've spent a fair amount of time on games like Rock Band 1 and 2, various DDR games, Guitaroo Man, and Guitar Hero 1 and 2. All of these different rhythm games have given me their own unique perspective on the genre. Also, I am a musician. I play acoustic guitar and the drum kit. Rock Band - for many people - is the pinnacle of the rhythm genre, but for me there's something lacking. After all, I already know guitar and drums. Why play a game about it? Don't get me wrong. Rock Band is incredibly fun and it serves its purpose, but for me, the whole "be in a band and play music!" escapism in Rock Band and other rhythm games isn't escapism at all for me: it's reality.
Enter DJ Hero. In real life, I do not know how to "scratch" or "crossfade" or mix tracks of any kind. For me, this immediately sets DJ Hero apart from the likes of Rock Band and Guitar Hero. DJ Hero DOES offer the escapism that Rock Band lacks, so that is one reason why I actually prefer it instead of the other mentioned rhythm games.
Another thing that sets DJ Hero apart (for me) is how the songs are handled. In DJ Hero, I don't feel the same "bullet hell" design philosophy that other rhythm games have (for example, how Guitar Hero's sole aim is to throw a bajillion gems at you so that you can make a Youtube video of it). Instead of assaulting you with a ton of falling gems, DJ Hero takes a more realistic approach. The "complex" songs are complex not only because of the number of gems on the screen, but also because of the crossfades, scratches, and freestyle sections you'll have to pull off. And unlike Guitar Hero, you're not just playing one instrument. You're in control of the whole song. If you mess up, you'll hear it. If you pull off a difficult sequence, it feels incredibly satisfying. The high quality of the turntable controller also helps to keep you immersed in the game instead of fumbling over buttons.
The music selection itself is also something most rhythm game fans are going to find interesting. Other than the aforementioned Guitaroo Man, rhythm games tend to do cover songs. In other words, you aren't playing "new" songs in either Rock Band or Guitar Hero. You're playing games that you've already heard on the radio or on CD. But in DJ Hero's case, you get to play COMPLETELY NEW tracks mixed JUST FOR THE GAME. Yes, you'll recognize the songs used in the mix, but you won't hear these songs on the radio. That is very cool, and I have to applaud Activision for going the extra mile in this regard. The mixes are really good. There are only a tiny handful of dud tracks in an otherwise mindblowingly-good setlist. These mixes are so catchy and a blast to play. Even when I'm taking a break and watching someone else play the game, I still enjoy sitting back and listening to the tracks.
Also, you know how on lower difficulties in Rock Band/Guitar Hero, even though you won't be tapping all of the gems, you will still hear all of the complicated notes in the background? Yeah, the computer does that for you. Well, in DJ Hero there IS a little bit of that, but I have noticed that as you increase difficulty, THE SONGS CHANGE AS WELL. There are different scratches, different taps, and slightly different crossfade patterns. In some songs, the difference isn't noticable, but in other songs it is very easy to tell. Again, GOOD JOB Activision for going the extra mile.
There are features of the game that fall short. The menu system is very barebones. If you're accustomed to the flashy "Globe of the Earth" map in Rock Band 2, prepare to be disappointed with DJ Hero's scrolling mix list. Also, the DJ vs DJ battles are nothing special, but apparently DJ Hero 2 is going to address this problem. I also hope that DJ Hero 2 has more downloadable songs. Admittedly, I have been spoiled by Rock Band's huge selection of downloadable game, but DJ Hero only has 5 track packs available. That's sad. Again, I hope DJ Hero 2 steps it up in this regard, because I will gladly shell over my $$$ for overpriced track packs.
I am a fan of music and a fan of rhythm games. DJ Hero is exactly the sort of rhythm game that I want to play. It offers something new to me, not only as a gamer, but as a musician. Yeah, I'll still play Rock Band with my buddies, but when it comes to sitting down and truly enjoying a rhythm game, DJ Hero has my vote, and I can't wait to sit down and play DJ Hero 2 later this year.
As the world reels from the shockwaves of the seismic news that Microsoft is acquiring the proverbial swamp of the video-game landscape, Activision Blizzard King, it only seems natural that our minds should now shift towards what the fallout will be for presumably years if not decades to come.
Another Prototype would be awesome.
As for Singularity, I don't necessarily need a sequel, I just want to see Raven be able to flex their creative muscle again; not just be relegated to assisting with CoD. A lot of the old guard is still with the company.
That's part of what I'm hoping to see come from this acquisition. Revive teams like Vicarious Visions and Ravem to actually allow them to work on their own new projects again.
As great as that would be the deal wont finalize until end of fiscal year 2023. Until after that date MS wont really have a say as to where resources will be spent. So we wont realistically see anything until perhaps 2026 or later.
I think that’s a point that so many people are missing. Things will not change this year or next year at all. Maybe some changes might be apparent in 2024 but 2025/2026 is a good estimate of when things will really start happening. And I don’t think we will see as big a set of changes as some are suggesting.
Those teams having not worked on anything, the employees find jobs at other companies, they don't just remain unemployed till someone at the publisher decides to revive the team, they need to eat lol
That said, this list of games makes me unexcited for anything outside of CoD that Activision has to offer. All games are in stale genres, like Guitar Hero, Simpsons Hit and Run, these are long surpassed genres that are going to be difficult to revive.
@gamer75 if it is a combination it has to have my seal of approval. Such as a new Warcraft game or a new Warcraft mmo, or an action game based off the night elves orcs and humans if it’s a new IP. I’ll let you know after I talk with Microsoft
Man I’ve been waiting for Protoype since the last one. Protoype could seriously be MS’ answer to Infamous (freaking loved that game as well, hope Sony make a new one soon).
That's one I see being tossed around a lot to bring back, even if not from Raven themselves.
Put so many hours into those games over the years.
I'd like to see Activision get the Transformers license again and continue the War and Fall of Cybertron games. the movie games were crap and the game that combined both movie and Fall and War of Cybertron sucked a new Prototype would also be good as well.
You deserve a 1000 likes haha 😂. It’s a shame High Moon didn’t get to continue making Transformers. If they got a decent budget i think most of us TF fans would be excited.
Ms bought Activision and everybody dancing for what? For cod? Ms want to atleast earn some money Back from those 70 billion dollars.... The only thing they count on is more gamepass subscribers via Activision cod, diablo and over watch 2 1st Day free at gamepass. If they decide to make them exclusive to xbox they Will lose profit from ps4 and 5 sales. As For a New ip or an existing ip like over watch 3,diablo 5 or anything else like a New transformers Dont you think that developers need at least 3 years to Do something decent?
Anyway my opinion is that ms want to make videogaming Just a subscription a la netflix and that ps5 will beat xboxsx in sales like ps4 beat xbox and xbox one x..... All the money ms spending It Will defentily make more gamepass subscribers as for games we all must wait at least 3 more years... And thats why ps5 will get ahead in sales they have more AAA in the pipeline already plus lets see their answer for gamepass... P. S i Dont support subscriptions from neither company and i didnt buy switch plus for n64. If they give me the option to buy n64 games then yes i Will buy them but i am not paying for a rental.
Re-imagining of River Raid and the original adventurer Pitfall. Oh Zork is also a great game.
Top 10 Wrestlers in Non-Wrestling Games by Level Down Games It’s no surprise to anyone who watches or listens to our podcasts that we love professional wrestling and video games. While there are countless wrestling video games such as WWF Steel Cage Challenge, The WWE 2K series and the bane of El Frankero’s existence, Tag …
While FreestyleGames is working on the new Guitar Hero, it isn't the music series we need. Instead, Tony Nguyen at G4@Syfygames believes that it should've been DJ Hero that rose from the grave.
