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Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits Review
Written by Robert Workman on Friday, June 19, 2009
Still fun to play, a decent variety of songs to choose from, Fan Requests will keep you busy, multiplayer sharing still works.
Some poorly chosen songs, same presentation from previous games, guitar grip becomes uncomfortable over time, not compatible with the new DSi system.
Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits has over 25 new songs, along with a new Fan Request feature that'll put your guitar-playing skills to the test. Although Activision puts on a good show, we've seen it all before.
That's because Modern Hits follows the same blueprint as previous releases in the On Tour series. The graphics look similar, with multicolored notes in the foreground and performers stiffly playing instruments in the background. The interface is also the same, as you strum a virtual set of strings with the stylus while pushing down the corresponding buttons on the guitar grip. Even worse, the in-game songs sound tinny.
At least there's a new soundtrack. Fans of the series should recognize such favorites as "The Metal" by Tenacious D and "Reptilia" by the Strokes. We also dig "Paralyzer" by Finger Eleven and "Miss Murder" by AFI. That said, the developers chose some oddballs. "Dashboard" by Modest Mouse instead of "Float On"? Coldplay's "Violet Hill" instead of a more player-friendly track? It makes no sense.
Our gripes with the music notwithstanding, players should check out Modern Hits for two reasons starting with multiplayer. You can song share with those who own other On Tours, so you'll never feel left out of the party. Co-op and versus contests are also available, so you can play in tandem with your band mate or show him (or her) who's boss.
The second reason is the new Fan Request mode. Here, you receive specific challenges by your devoted followers that include meeting a certain percentage of a song or hitting notes when you need to the most. It's a cool addition to an already enjoyable video game.
Unfortunately, the guitar grip accessory still gets in the way. It snaps snugly into your Game Boy Advance port, so you can still wrap your hand around the system and keep a clear view of the notes on-screen. It's not built for comfort, though. After about 15 minutes, you'll find yourself taking a break just to get the feeling back in your hand. You'd think that by the third time around, Activision would've figured something out to make the game less painful.
At least original DS owners get to play. Sadly, Activision didn't include support for the new DSi. Hopefully by the time a fourth installment arrives (and you can bet it will), the company will have a solution.
If you're a Guitar Hero fan or someone with a passion for music, you're bound to like Modern Hits just as much as the previous two games. However, Activision needs to shake up the system and add more features and DSi support. Without it, this series will flame out.
