Once upon a time there was a musical instrument that was plugged into a machine, but did not produce and amplified sound. This instrument sat inside of stores nationwide and was constantly strummed to the likes of some of our favorite songs. People from all over the land would flock to pick up this instrument and match colored buttons on the instrument to the corresponding monitor that sat in front of them to make beautiful music that everyone from all walks of life could enjoy. From rocked out teens to hip 50-year-olds, this instrument finally make its way to the Xbox 360. That instrument is the guitar, and the game known as Guitar Hero II.

Foundation of the Game

Guitar Hero 2 brings out all of your childhood dreams of becoming a real live rock star in the comfort of your own home. With a guitar, guitar strap, hopefully a large TV, a guitar pick and some buttons, you’re on tour to become a true rock star. Priced at $89.99, you get your instrument and game which is packed with over 70 songs for your playing enjoyment.

You start off in career mode, first by naming your band; mine was titled “Australia”, which I now regret because it doesn’t make too much sense. You then continue by choosing from several different styled guitarists, who are pre-named and shaped, to kind of fit your own personality. If you’re already pretty good at this game, you’re able to start off at different difficulties starting with easy and going all the way up to expert, with medium and hard in between. I started off in easy, because I’ve never picked this game up before, plus my dad and I wanted to play together, and this was suitable.

Starting out at a little high school’s battle of the band competition, you work your way on tour throughout the country playing bigger and bigger venues over time. Your stage area seems to get larger with your popularity, and you soon find yourself playing on European fairgrounds entertaining thousands of people.

The guitar itself makes for some interesting play, with a whammy stick to hit your long notes, altering the pitch of it, and your buttons are laid out along the redesigned guitar, taking shape of the Gibson X-Plorer, which is a big contrast of the Playstation 2 version. You also have your Xbox Live Button to access the dashboard for downloads and friend listings, as well as a d-pad to sort through your menu. I am partial to using the pick to navigate, but it is an option. I did find the guitar to be somewhat uncomfortable though. I would like it if the buttons were a bit closer together, while the guitar was a bit larger so your arms aren’t kept too close to another, but overall it works.