The Decline Of The Rhythm Game

Have we reached the summit of rhythm gaming? Have we ventured to the top of the viking metal mountain and now we look down on a rockier road full of dead plastic guitars?

I think we have seen a flawless (cough) progression through rhythm gaming that got better and better. Lets take the uphill climb. Pa Rappa, Um Jammer Lammy, Frequency, Gitaroo Man, Amplitude, Donkey Konga, Guitar Hero 1, 2. This is where we were a year a go. Loving Guitar Hero 2 on 360 and thinking it was only a taste of things to come. And it was. But for as much innovation and popularity that Guitar Hero 3 and Rock Band have brought us, they are officially the top of the mountain and the first games to introduce problems into the genre.


Guitar Hero 3 was everything you could of wanted out of the 3rd game... on paper. It had mostly all master tracks, hd- graphics, online, and wireless guitar. But after a few weeks of heavy metal shredding and enjoyment, the beer goggles came off and a few problems became evident. Characters were lame, models looked weird, online works... but what fun is it without being in the same room.

Rockband had a similar feeling after a while. This game is amazing, I mean amazing, but I need 3 friends to commit to playing the same instruments every-night for the next month to keep it fun.

And that is where I am right now. Guitar Hero 3 seems is wear I wanna be when I play alone but the songs and graphics really lack at this point compared to Rockband. But then when I want to shred in Rock Band I quickly drift back to earth as I realize this game this game is much less fun with one guitar.

This problem of which to pick and neither satisfying my full urge to tear ass, is the first in what I feel will be many many more dissatisfactions with the series. The music is getting less and less impressive as most of the best rock songs have already been used and the music pool with drain up eventually. As for new music being debuted on Rock Band, I think this is only a good idea in theory. People are always hesitant to spend their virtual change on things they are not familiar with. (Frogger is a top seller on XBLA) With band oriented games on the way and more product placement in the games, it feels like the best days are behind us. Sure we can still find some fun in the Aerosmith game and more songs in the future, but I think the instal thrill has defiantly worn off and we need innovation to propel the genre at this point. We are at the mercy of Harmonix now to tell us what is cool and see what the next trick they have up their sleeves.