When Steve Jobs announced the launch of Apple 4 last week, he also dropped a smaller, though no less interesting bombshell – Guitar Hero had finally reached the App Store. Since developers Activision have gone to great lengths to release as many Guitar Hero iterations over the last few years (and even admitted to milking the cow dry), it’s always been unusual to think they were ignoring such a veritable cash cow in Apple’s devices.
With App Store rhythm title regulars Guitar Rock Tour and Tap Tap Revenge’s mobile success having already spawned sequels, have Activision arrived too late to the iPhone battle of the bands?
The first impression one gets from downloading Guitar Hero is of the incomparable polish Activision can afford to lavish on their series. Graphically it’s beautiful, with colourful frets accompanying bright star power bursts as you start to hit your stride. Similarly the menus and interface are solid and easily navigable. Like much of Activisions package, its clear Guitar Hero is looking to dominate its opposition.
Gameplay-wise the game doesn’t break new ground, though it does feature some very unique gestures, such as strumming left and right with arrows that represent whammy bars. Similarly Activision has enabled Facebook integration for sharing your high scores and photos of your customisable rock star avatar. These features really come together to ensure longevity and accentuate Guitar Hero’s unique ideas.
Cost of entry
One of the most attention-grabbing features of this title is the comparatively cheap price, Guitar Hero-wise, to play the game. After all there are no peripherals needed and the game costs just €2.39.
However upon booting up the game first time you’ll notice the pretty big catch – only six songs are included, whilst you are encourage to “update your set list with new game tracksâ€. Though the six featured songs are great (Seven Nation Army, We Are the Champions, Paint It Black), marginally more expensive rivals such as Guitar Rock Tour 2 are offering 18 songs right off the bat.
Thus in many ways Guitar Hero manages to encapsulate the best and worst of the series history in one tiny package. The game play is tight, polished and incomparable yet as always gamers are never getting close to the full package upon purchasing the game.
Having said that, for gamers that are looking for the definitive rhythm experience on their iPhone the good news is that Guitar Hero has arrived to claim the crown. Aside from being the best title of its kind on Apple’s device, the customisation options, extra challenges and Facebook high score integration really help elevate Guitar Hero to its deserved platinum status.
Guitar Hero is available to download from the App Store for €2.39.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Conor Sketches | Tiger Woods loves Ger Loughnane and cosplaying as Charles LeClerc
