When the Guitar Hero series became immensely popular, spawning two sequels as well as several spin offs, including a (lacklustre) mobile version, it was wondered where the series could go next. Sure, there was the inevitable next game in the series (t...
When the Guitar Hero series became immensely popular, spawning two sequels as well as several spin offs, including a (lacklustre) mobile version, it was wondered where the series could go next. Sure, there was the inevitable next game in the series (that is, Guitar Hero: World Tour) but what else could the series to do to extend its reach even further to even more different audiences? Guitar Hero: On Tour answers that question. Included with proprietary accessory known as the Guitar Grip, Guitar Hero: On Tour is the definitive handheld version of Guitar Hero to own – although some minor problems do plague its otherwise perfect existence.
There isnt really a story for Guitar Hero games, and this one is no different. Generally, players will find themselves in the shoes of one of many rock stars, usually modelled on specific genres and eras of differing time periods and basically play their way to the top, moving from venue to venue, securing sponsorship deals and earning money to spend on more guitars, costumes and bonus songs. Guitar Hero: On Tour features two new characters, as well as a lot of customisation options – with three costumes for each of the characters and two coats of paint for each of the guitars available.
Considering the amount of content packed into the Guitar Hero: On Tour DS card, there is a great level of graphical fidelity, especially for a Nintendo DS game. Each of the fan favourite characters from the previous Guitar Hero games are very recognisable, the colours are vibrant and all the chord indicators are very smooth. All in all, the game is very impressive for a Nintendo DS game, and even more so in capturing the charm and art style of the original games and preserving it in a handheld rendition.
Just in case any of my readers have been living under a rock for the past few years, heres a rundown on how Guitar Hero works. For each song, an extended guitar neck is shown vertically scrolling down the screen, with specific frets (thats the circle things in the screenshots) moving towards the player. The colour and position corresponds to a button on your Guitar Grip. The Guitar Grip is entirely unique to the Guitar Hero: On Tour, but more on this accessory later. Notes are played by holding down the correct fret button and “strumming” once the fret hits the bottom of the screen in order to successfully play the note. A successful note will increase the rock meter, while an unsuccessful one will decrease it. Completely decreasing the rock meter from green to orange / yellow to red will result in a fail of the song and the character being booed off the stage.
However, upon successfully landing a note, and getting consequent successes, players can rack up score multipliers and easily increase their score. Unlike other rhythm games like Dance Dance Revolution, however, there is no score awarded for accuracy, but whether or not you actually hit the note or dont. Dont worry either, if you are left handed, as several modes are available for you too.
Minor changes to the gameplay of On Tour include the removal of the orange fret, but I assure you the difficulty is still evident, as three button chords have been added into the harder modes and the challenge is still definitely there. Star Power, a unique power that doubles your current multiplier, is now activated by yelling into the mic “ROCK ON!” but I preferring just blowing as to reduce the humiliation. Main changes to the standard gameplay of the Guitar Hero series seen in On Tour is the peripheral in which the notes are played. Previously, guitar shaped controllers would be provided with each release, however, with the portable release of On Tour, this seemed a bit unpractical, and as a result the Guitar Grip was born.
The Guitar Grip attaches to the back of the Nintendo DS and wraps round to slot into the GBA cartridge slot. This leaves the fret buttons on the bottom of the touch screen and your DS feeling a whole lot thicker. Players with an old Nintendo DS (shame on you) are also provided with an “extender” of sorts that ensures the same experience. The game is played with the DS in the “book” position seen in Ninja Gaiden, Hotel Dusk and Brain Age. Frets scroll on the left screen, while the guitar chosen is shown on the right. The Grip is, well, gripped by wrapping your hand from the left of the DS AROUND so that your fingers curl and sit on each of the fret buttons.
The Guitar Grip has an adjustable hand strap too. Strumming is done by simply dragging either the guitar pick stylus that is provided or your usual stylus across the screen with the guitar displayed. The amount of detail included is pretty remarkable, in that each different string of the on-screen guitar will move in correspondence to the fret button that is being held down. Unfortunately, the peripheral DOES become rather painful to use in prolonged sessions of the game, although several health warnings are issued before playing so its really the users fault should they experience cramps. Guitar Hero: On Tour offers several modes of play, all of which are very enjoyable. The first and most obvious is the career mode, in which players can choose a character, customise their look (after unlocking or purchasing costumes, of course) and choose a guitar to rock out with. Upon choosing a prospective rock star, players can move through each venue, completing a set of four songs and an encore to progress to the next venue. In Guitar Duels mode, players can play through single player but each song is a battle, similar to the boss battles in the recent Guitar Hero 3.
Guitar Duel is the most interesting of modes, however, as the powers that players can utilise against their opponents all take advantage of the DSs unique functionality. If an opponent breaks a string, it must be manually attached from the neck of the guitar and downwards. If an opponent lights your guitar on fire, the fire must be blown out using the microphone in the DS. Others include signing blank shirts for crazed fans (which, prevent you from playing until you do so), and the standard speed up and slow down power ups. Guitar Duel is definitely fun to play especially with friends. Theres also a QuickPlay mode, which allows players to play any song theyve unlocked on any difficulty they wish, as well as a practice mode and a tutorial mode.
Being a music and rhythm game, Guitar Hero: On Tour is mildly disappointing compared to the leaps offered in previous games. Although it simply isnt fair to compare Guitar Hero IIIs 73 songs to On Tours 26, its a bit disconcerting to see that many of the songs are songs that people wouldnt find “guitar centric” nor what fans of the original series would really want to be playing. That being said, On Tour is probably the most diverse of the set lists that the series creators have given us yet. Whats most surprising though, is the sheer quality of the music for a DS game. The music sounds great through speakers and even better when using headphones.
Its really strange how Vicarious Visions managed to get so many songs onto the cartridge and yet retain so much quality. Guitar Hero: On Tour definitely doesnt disappoint aurally in terms of quality, but perhaps in quantity, but as mentioned previously, its kind of unfair to compare. There isnt a whole lot wrong with Guitar Hero: On Tour. Almost everything that made the original games so fun is kept in tact for this portable iteration. The Guitar Grip is a pretty fun accessory to use (in short doses) and is practical and clever considering the platform Vicarious Visions / Activision had to work with. Guitar Hero: On Tour has everything that makes you feel rewarded for mastery of the higher difficulty levels, and youll feel cool when playing the game like a pro, just like the games console cousins.
One major glaring annoyance is the lack of any online functionality, there arent any options for leaderboards, and multiplayer is restricted only to local. Perhaps in future iterations of the series, is they are planned, said features can be implemented, because its the only thing keeping Guitar Hero: On Tour from living on the same playing field as its console counterparts. Finally, collectors will be dismayed to hear that Guitar Hero: On Tour does not come in a box similar to other DS games, but rather in a small plastic holder. People who like to keep their games in their original boxes may see this as a problem, but the packaging on a whole is pretty well done.
Guitar Hero: On Tour is a great substitute for gamers who dont want to take their full Guitar Controller and a Wii wherever they go,and cleverly incorporates some good and intelligent uses of the DSs touchscreen exclusive features. Ultimately, however, it fails to be as enjoyable as its predecessors due to a limited tracklist with varying diversity and a lack of some features evident in the console versions too.
That being said, Guitar Hero: On Tour is a brilliant game that I urge all DS owners to at least try before dismissing it, as its probably some of the most fun Ive had on Nintendos handheld for a long time. Itll be interesting to see what Vicarious Visions / Activision do with the series from here, and whether or not they will continue to utilise their unique peripheral.
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