One. Simple. Reason: Guitar Hero is just too damn hard for me. Yes, I admit it, I am absolutely AWFUL at these games. Now, if you asked me in person why I disliked the franchise I'd probably spout off some pretentious diatribe about it 'not being authentic enough' but that is an outright lie. I am TERRIBLE at Guitar Hero and that's why I hate it.
When these games were first released, I looked down upon them with scorn and derision. I can't say exactly why I felt so disgusted by the concept of people playing simulated guitars, but I was mortally offended by the franchise. It was more than likely out of a misplaced sense of pride that came from playing an instrument or (even less rationally) projected anger at not achieving my own goals as a guitarist. In hindsight, it's as ridiculous as city mayors getting angry at all the "SimCity posers", but at the time I was enjoying my view from the high horse.
Having a good deal of gamer friends, I knew that I would someday have to encouter this sacrilege of a game and it wasn't long after it was released that one of my good friends picked it up. He insisted I give it a try so I thought "What the hell, may as well show them how it's done."
Being a (reasonably competent) guitarist I expected to pick up the guitar controller and laugh my way to 100% on expert while playing behind my head like Jimi Hendrix. After all, this *MERE TOY* could not challenge me, could it? Admittedly, I'm no Mark Knopfler, however I felt my experience with the instrument would translate well into this *MERE VIDEO GAME*. Wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong. After getting my comeuppance on "Medium" difficulty, I was very neatly packaged and put in my place.
Being a guitarist, as it turns out, does not necessarily make you a Guitar Hero.
Watching my friend blaze through songs on "Hard" gave me an appreciation for the difficulty of the game in and of itself, not necessarily in comparison to a real guitar. What did I really expect? People to be thinking they're musicians because they're good at a video game? Did I sign up for the SWAT team after a few months of Counter-Strike? If I'm roleplaying an Orc Warrior can I really look down on somebody for roleplaying a rock star?
I actually enjoy Guitar Hero a lot more now since getting over myself. Even as a guitarist I'm never going to be an actual rock star, so getting into the game is a hell of a lot of fun. I definitely respect the great players, the same way I respect the people who beat Contra in one life. I sure as hell can't do it, I can't even come close.
I'm just hoping the Guitar Heroes of the world don't switch over to the real thing. I would lose a lot of credibility if they found out it was easier than they expected, and besides... I don't need you showing me up at THAT, too!
-Seizurebleak
I posted this in off-topic because I felt it was more about my perspective than legitimately reviewing the game's pros and cons.
When these games were first released, I looked down upon them with scorn and derision. I can't say exactly why I felt so disgusted by the concept of people playing simulated guitars, but I was mortally offended by the franchise. It was more than likely out of a misplaced sense of pride that came from playing an instrument or (even less rationally) projected anger at not achieving my own goals as a guitarist. In hindsight, it's as ridiculous as city mayors getting angry at all the "SimCity posers", but at the time I was enjoying my view from the high horse.
Having a good deal of gamer friends, I knew that I would someday have to encouter this sacrilege of a game and it wasn't long after it was released that one of my good friends picked it up. He insisted I give it a try so I thought "What the hell, may as well show them how it's done."
Being a (reasonably competent) guitarist I expected to pick up the guitar controller and laugh my way to 100% on expert while playing behind my head like Jimi Hendrix. After all, this *MERE TOY* could not challenge me, could it? Admittedly, I'm no Mark Knopfler, however I felt my experience with the instrument would translate well into this *MERE VIDEO GAME*. Wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong. After getting my comeuppance on "Medium" difficulty, I was very neatly packaged and put in my place.
Being a guitarist, as it turns out, does not necessarily make you a Guitar Hero.
Watching my friend blaze through songs on "Hard" gave me an appreciation for the difficulty of the game in and of itself, not necessarily in comparison to a real guitar. What did I really expect? People to be thinking they're musicians because they're good at a video game? Did I sign up for the SWAT team after a few months of Counter-Strike? If I'm roleplaying an Orc Warrior can I really look down on somebody for roleplaying a rock star?
I actually enjoy Guitar Hero a lot more now since getting over myself. Even as a guitarist I'm never going to be an actual rock star, so getting into the game is a hell of a lot of fun. I definitely respect the great players, the same way I respect the people who beat Contra in one life. I sure as hell can't do it, I can't even come close.
I'm just hoping the Guitar Heroes of the world don't switch over to the real thing. I would lose a lot of credibility if they found out it was easier than they expected, and besides... I don't need you showing me up at THAT, too!
-Seizurebleak
I posted this in off-topic because I felt it was more about my perspective than legitimately reviewing the game's pros and cons.