View Full Version : The Best of the Now Generation
Evil Avatar
05-31-2006, 09:04 AM
Next Generation Online has posted a new article, The Best of the Now Generation (http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3120&Itemid=2), taking a look at twenty of the best upcoming (and current) PS2, Xbox and Gamecube titles.
Guitar Hero II
Publisher: RedOctane
Developer: Harmonix Music
Release Date: November 2006
PS2
What more can anyone say about the greatness that is Guitar Hero? Not much -- so developer Harmonix and publisher RedOctane are looking to squeeze out more accolades with Guitar Hero II. Rather than just update the menu screens and throw in some new songs, Harmonix has added a co-op mode, where players can play lead, rhythm or bass guitar. Of course, there will be new songs as well (more than 55 total), but RedOctane isn't disclosing the whole list right now. Confirmed tracks include Black Sabbath's "War Pigs", the Van Halen cover of the Kinks' "You Really Got Me" and Kiss' "Strutter".
Perhaps the most fun I've ever had playing a video game. Cannot wait for this one.
NoName
05-31-2006, 09:25 AM
*sigh* I really need to budget some money to get Guitar Hero. Maybe I can hold off replacing my current DS with a DS lite for awhile longer... O.o
gzsfrk
05-31-2006, 09:41 AM
*sigh* I really need to budget some money to get Guitar Hero. Maybe I can hold off replacing my current DS with a DS lite for awhile longer... O.o
Oooohh.... Tough call. Although I'd have to say, since you already at least have an original DS, you'd get more return on your investment by purchasing Guitar Hero and, if necessary, the complementary PS2. Strange how I more or less consider the PS2 as a needed accessory for Guitar Hero nowadays, more than a stand-alone console in and of itself. (Well, the PS2-exclusive Karaoke Revolutions get some playtime on the PS2 as well when we have company over.)
Which incidentally raises a question I've had--why did RedOctane keeping GH PS2 exclusive? Will GH2 remain exclusive to Sony as well? Or are they planning on going multiplatform? It surely couldn't be that hard of a game to port, and I weep at the thought of the legions of Xbox fanboys who have to go to bed each night having never experienced the awesomeness that is Guitar Hero.
EternalGamer
05-31-2006, 09:46 AM
Yeah, but there are serious indications that there will be a next gen version of Guitar hero with downloadable content. In the new issue of Game Informer, the interviewed producer says of Xbox Live "That's obviously the direction we need to be headed." He wouldn't say anything else for the time being, but the fact that he refused to comment (confirm or deny) outside of that remark tells you something. If you haven't already bought Guitar Hero, you might want to hold off at least until the release of 2 to see if it's coming out for more than just the PS2.
I would claim that the reason to keep Guitar Hero PS2 exclusive would have something to do with the manufacturing costs of the controller.
....but my RedOctane DDR pad (ignition 3.0) has USB, PS2 and Xbox connecters on it. So I'm not sure why they don't do the same for the guitar.
Spigot
05-31-2006, 09:59 AM
ARG!
Guitar Hero 2, Valkyrie Profile 2, Rogue Galaxy, God Hand, Okami, GoW2, Rule of Rose... so many interesting games (or at least new, well pedigreed JRPG's)... so little money.
I really need to start trading in a whole bunch of games or selling them or something. Anyone need a kidney?
They really need to make a wireless Guitar Hero controller. Mmm...
It was nice of them to make a good list of interesting games for the current gen systems though. Too often games get lost in the hype of new consoles.
I'm hoping for a converter if it does come out on seperate consoles. I'd probably still buy it if they put in DL content. They could make soooooooooo much money. Think about it. Instead of releasing new games, new songs every few months that cost a dollar or two a pop. You get to play them on all difficulties and keep em on your harddrive. I salivate for this game.
Kamalot
05-31-2006, 10:05 AM
Which incidentally raises a question I've had--why did RedOctane keeping GH PS2 exclusive? Will GH2 remain exclusive to Sony as well? Or are they planning on going multiplatform? It surely couldn't be that hard of a game to port, and I weep at the thought of the legions of Xbox fanboys who have to go to bed each night having never experienced the awesomeness that is Guitar Hero.Here is an interview with Senior Designer and Guitar Hero Lead Designer Rob Kay.
http://www.4colorrebellion.com/archives/2006/05/19/harmonix-shares-wii-impressions/
The Wiire: Would it be fair to say that Guitar Hero is not just limited to being a Sony published type of game?
Kay: Guitar Hero is not limited to Sony. It is not an exclusive title, and there is not a deal with Sony or anything like that. Red Octane decided to release Guitar Hero for Playstation 2 because that was the biggest installed user base. That was the only reason.
The Wiire: Do you see the potential of there being a Guitar Hero guitar that has a universal USB attachment? We know that all the new consoles have USB ports, perhaps a Wii version could have an extra drummer, while other players use the USB guitars?
Kay: That’s a great question. I know that we have discussed and talked about as things move forward, and more people get involved in this space; there is the potential that more and more of the peripherals that come out wont work with each other. So somebody may release lets say, a saxophone game, and another company releases a saxophone game, and both their saxophones would only work with each respective game. We don’t want a situation like that. Really, the music game genre should be nourishing. You know, like Konami - I don’t consider them out competitors; they are our collaborators in terms of getting people together to play music. Guitar Freaks, Guitar Hero, great! The more guitar games there are out there getting people psyched about playing guitar or playing musical instruments, the better for all of us.
And here is a video of a Wii game in which you play the drums. Looks like it is 2 player as well...
http://www.4colorrebellion.com/archives/2006/05/19/wii-drum-demo/
Xerxes
05-31-2006, 10:14 AM
The list is ass... Most them games ain't even out yet...
EternalGamer
05-31-2006, 10:25 AM
The list is ass... Most them games ain't even out yet...
Um, that is why it is the best [i]upcoming[i/] games for the current generation.
Zurik
05-31-2006, 10:42 AM
Tales of the Abyss sounds sweet. Let's hope it doesn't slip into next year, but I'm guessing it will.
Talanvor
05-31-2006, 11:30 AM
I could have sworn I saw something about some geeks making a wireless Guitar Hero controller, complete with whammy bar!
Ah, I think this is it. (http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/home-entertainment/wireless-guitar-hero-167740.php)
gzsfrk
05-31-2006, 11:33 AM
I could have sworn I saw something about some geeks making a wireless Guitar Hero controller, complete with whammy bar!
Indeed--several people have done it. Here's one site:
http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=33
gzsfrk
05-31-2006, 11:34 AM
Looking at that list, seemed like there was at least ONE notable exception--Zelda:Twilight Princess for the cube.
How in the world did they leave that one off?
agentgray
05-31-2006, 11:40 AM
"Now Generation?"
Ugh...these terms are getting horrible.
MajSheppard
05-31-2006, 12:01 PM
yeah what a crappy list, 99% PS2 games. I dunno about you folks, but I don't even touch that thing.
EvilBob46
05-31-2006, 12:09 PM
Rule of Rose
Naw. That game got a 58% in the PSM2 UK magazine.
Looking at that list, seemed like there was at least ONE notable exception--Zelda:Twilight Princess for the cube.
How in the world did they leave that one off?
Beats me.
automaton
05-31-2006, 12:11 PM
Super Paper Mario is what gets me most excited on that list. I just can't believe they didn't have more of it to show at E3 considering it is releasing this October.
EvilBob46
05-31-2006, 12:11 PM
yeah what a crappy list, 99% PS2 games. I dunno about you folks, but I don't even touch that thing.
You know, if the list is about upcoming current generation games, and the Xbox has died down because of the 360 (and the Gamecube doesn't have hardly any releases these days), of course the list going to be composed mostly of PS2 games. Read what the purpose of the list is before you complain about it.
51|RandoM
05-31-2006, 12:16 PM
The list is ass... Most them games ain't even out yet...
Curiously enough, I think that is why they said, "UPCOMING".
Kamalot
05-31-2006, 12:18 PM
You know, if the list is about upcoming current generation games, and the Xbox has died down because of the 360 (and the Gamecube doesn't have hardly any releases these days), of course the list going to be composed mostly of PS2 games. Read what the purpose of the list is before you complain about it.
Well, aren't you right! It also helps Sony fans to look forward to PS2 games cause the PS3 is looking fairly barren.
Kelegacy
05-31-2006, 12:31 PM
The current gen is more exciting than the next, right now. Well, barring the release of the Wii. I'm feeling BLAH towards the Sony and MS consoles. Just more of the goddamn same with higher res graphics, and I know this because I own a 360.
MrZer0
05-31-2006, 12:54 PM
Looking at that list, seemed like there was at least ONE notable exception--Zelda:Twilight Princess for the cube.
How in the world did they leave that one off?
From the second paragraph of the article:
"Here are our top 20 games that haven't been announced for next generation platforms, so before you e-mail us about how we forgot about The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess and Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy, keep in mind that those are also appearing on the Wii and Xbox 360 respectively."
danhoo
05-31-2006, 01:23 PM
Definitely looking forward to Okami, Rogue Galaxy, Super Paper Mario (although the fact that it's not an RPG I find weird, but whatever), GH2, Lumines Plus, GoW2. Not sure what to think about God Hand -- some good people working on it, but the premise sounds kinda meh.
Anyway, looks like there's plenty of "Now" (ugg) generation stuff to keep me busy for a while.
Geburah
05-31-2006, 01:27 PM
From the second paragraph of the article:
"Here are our top 20 games that haven't been announced for next generation platforms, so before you e-mail us about how we forgot about The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess and Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy, keep in mind that those are also appearing on the Wii and Xbox 360 respectively."
But doesn't that policy unduly favor the PS2? Since the PS3 is backward compatible, they don't need to release a new version for it to be playable, whereas all the big money makers for GC and XBOX need to have a separate version for the next gen system. Technically speaking all those PS2 games *are* for a next gen system, they just haven't been announced as such.
Kelegacy
05-31-2006, 01:31 PM
Mmm, Rogue Galaxy. I'm a Level 5 fanboy, despite becoming bored during DQVIII at times.
Spigot
05-31-2006, 02:01 PM
Naw. That game got a 58% in the PSM2 UK magazine.
Hmm... Well, I'll definately rent it. It sounds neat, if nothing else. Granted, I'll probably be renting most of these games when they first hit. Is Jaffe still directing/producing God of War 2?
God of War 2, Guitar Hero 2, and I guess Okami for me, though I hadn't heard about it until just now. Sounds cool though. Why no gamecube love? That's a perfect quirky gamecube title. Of course, it stands a better chance of succeeding on the PS2.
pomeroy
05-31-2006, 06:55 PM
Hmm... Well, I'll definately rent it. It sounds neat, if nothing else. Granted, I'll probably be renting most of these games when they first hit. Is Jaffe still directing/producing God of War 2?
No, he's busy running Sony-Santa Monica. It's some other guy. Jaffe's working on making you cry VIA your PSP (although, it could be argued that actually having paid money to play games on your PSP could make you cry...because, oh heck, you already know...)
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