DJ Hero
Release Date: October 28, 2009
Players: 1-2
Available for: Wii, PS3, Xbox360, PS2
Rhythm Game
Release Date: October 28, 2009
Players: 1-2
Available for: Wii, PS3, Xbox360, PS2
Rhythm Game
One of the latest in the "Hero" series of rhythem games, DJ Hero throws you into the role of DJ and lets you mix songs together with the accompanying Turntable controller, allowing you to scratch, crossfade, and get some beats with some popular dance/electronic songs. Now, let's get-g-g-g-ge-get to the review!
Story
Non-existant. Unlike some of the previous "Hero" games which tried to add a story via cutscenes in between setlist, DJ Hero throws all that out the window, and let's you get straight into the action. When you first start the game up, you will be taught the ropes of the controller and gameplay by pioneer DJ, Grandmaster Flash, and after that, you are free to play the setlists(after you unlock some) in whatever order you want.
Gameplay
Like all "Hero" games, you choose the setlist, character and venue, and start playing the songs, during the songs, you will have to utilize different aspects of the turntable. Start off with just scratching and tapping in Beginner and Easy, the game adds use of the Cross-fader and more frequent movements in Medium and above. All modes use the effects dial, which is used to select the samples you want to use in freestyle, and change the sound output at certain parts of the song. Gameplay also involves using Euphoria, which works similar to "Star Power" in the Guitar Hero games, while also letting you Rewind, by spinning the record around after you get the powerup, and playing a part you just passed and getting more points.
Also, while in previous games, the Stars only showed off how well you did in a certain song, in DJ Hero, while also doing as such, they are used to unlock the various DJs, venues, and setlists. As well, some songs allow for the combination of both DJing, and guitar playing, allowing veterans from the previous "Hero" games to join in.
Graphics
Being a Wii game that it is, it does not fulling reach the same graphics quality of the Xbox360 and PS3 versions, but gets pretty close, making it a vast improvement on the other "Hero" games for the Wii, which look like subpar Gamecube games at best.
Sound & Music
Being a rhythm game that it is, this is where the quality really shines through. With a vast array of up to 100 mixes, this game will keep you playing through all of them, just listening to the beats. Featuring mixes of songs such as We Will Rock You vs. Robot Rock, Ice Ice Baby vs. U Can't Touch This and many others, you will have a blast just listening to mixes put together by DJ Shadow and the other DJs within the game.
Extras
DJ Hero contains the most expansive extras I have seen in a "Hero" game to date. With the decent amount of DJs you can unlock, as well as headphones, turntables and skins that you can use to customize your play, there is a vast amount of possibilities of how your show will end up looking.
Fi-f-f-fi-Final Thoughts
DJ Hero is a fun experience. With the combination of lights, venues, characters and mixes, it will keep you coming back for more, or just to have a blast listening to the beats. The one complaint I have with it though is, that after continuous play, I found the finger I used for the blue tap would freeze up after scratches leaving me trying to fix it, and most of the time, making me miss a beat or 2. Also, a Wii-only complaint...
Saying that, DJ Hero is a must-buy for fans of remixs, Daft Punk, DJs, or just the other "Hero" games, while most likely being a skip for everyone else.