Guitar Hero Encore Rocks the ’80s stays true to the series’ winning formula albeit with a glam rock influence.The ’80s is an era that refuses to die. Testament to this is the intriguing cross-cultural blend of modern entertainment phenomenon Guitar Hero with a collection of songs from the decade.
The result is the new video game from Activision called Guitar Hero Encore Rocks the ’80s.
An expansion of the popular Guitar Hero games on Playstation 2, Rocks the ’80s includes 30 rock anthems from the glam-rock MTV period, and four of those tracks are actual master recordings – not covers.
The game uses a guitar controller provided with either Guitar Hero 1 or 2, or separately, and requires gamers to strum along while pressing the correct buttons at the correct time with their favourite songs.
The Guitar Hero games are addictive and great fun to participate in, and amusing to watch others play.
The ’80s expansion is, however, a mixed bag.
Guitar freaks with a love for mashing the controller will flip out at the depth of ’80s rock anthems.
But younger fans unfamiliar with the ’80s will struggle to find a musical connection with the songs, which include understated classics such as I Ran by Flock of Seagulls and Wrath Child by Iron Maiden.
However, Rocks the ’80s could be seen as a pathway to discovering – or rediscovering, depending on your age – how music has changed over the years.
The visuals remain largely unchanged in terms of style, but the game’s characters and sets have been designed with the ’80s in mind.
But it is gameplay that has always been the strength of the Guitar Hero series, and for hardcore fans, Rock the ’80s remains true to the formula.
Activision has included as many multiplayer modes as possible so players can rock it out head to head.
Guitar Hero Encore Rocks the ’80s does what Guitar Hero should do – entertain, amuse and provide both laughter and satisfaction – but this time it’s topped off with perms, striped vinyl outfits and a nostalgic trip down metal lane.
