Software:Guitar Hero: Van Halen

From HandWiki
Short description: 2009 video game
Guitar Hero: Van Halen
Guitar Hero Van Halen.jpg
Developer(s)Underground Development[lower-alpha 1]
Publisher(s)Activision
SeriesGuitar Hero
Platform(s)PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360
Release
Genre(s)Music, rhythm
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Guitar Hero: Van Halen is a music rhythm video game developed by Underground Development and published by Activision. It is the third game in the Guitar Hero series to focus on the career and songs of one rock band, Van Halen, following Guitar Hero and Guitar Hero. The game was released in retail for the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Wii systems on December 22, 2009, in North America, and in February 2010 for PAL regions. However, as part of a promotion with Guitar Hero 5, the game was shipped to Guitar Hero 5 purchasers in North America prior to its retail release. The game features 25 songs from Van Halen along with 19 additional songs from selected artists that have been inspired by the group. The gameplay UI from Guitar Hero: Metallica was carried over.

The game has received mostly mixed reviews from critics, most of which consider the game's quality to be greatly inferior to its predecessor, Guitar Hero: Metallica, and other games of the series. The reviewers criticized the lack of former Van Halen members Michael Anthony, Gary Cherone, and Sammy Hagar; the limited tracks selected from Van Halen's discography; the selection of other tracks included in the game; and the general lack of features introduced in the previous band-centric games and Guitar Hero 5.

Gameplay

Guitar Hero: Van Halen is similar to the preceding band-centric game, Guitar Hero, featuring support for four players in a single band on lead and bass guitar, drums, and vocals. The game is based on the engine originating from Guitar Hero World Tour, and thus does not feature the additions that are present in Guitar Hero 5, such as drop-in/drop-out play.[4]

Only the current members of the band—Eddie Van Halen, David Lee Roth, Alex Van Halen and Wolfgang Van Halen—are playable avatars in the game for the Van Halen songs; former band members Sammy Hagar, Gary Cherone and Michael Anthony are not included.[4][5][6] The band appear as they did in 2009 but, by completing challenges in the game, players can unlock their older appearances from the "spandex era […] with the big hair and tight pants".[4][7] Despite having not been born during this period of the band's history, Wolfgang Van Halen's avatar has a retro outfit copied from the dice-shirt-and-patchwork-jeans getup worn by his father in the video for "Panama".

A demo of the game was released to Xbox Live on December 9, 2009, featuring two Van Halen songs, "Eruption" and "Panama", along with Weezer's "Dope Nose" and Killswitch Engage's "The End of Heartache".[8]

Development

Members of Van Halen, including David Lee Roth (left) and Eddie Van Halen (right) performed motion capture in order to create their digital likeness for the game.

While the game was formally announced by Activision on May 7, 2009,[9] several sources reported a month earlier that Van Halen was in development. USK, the German software ratings board, posted a content rating for a Van Halen-based game in the series.[10] GameStop temporarily listed the game for pre-order during the month of April.[11] A list of Xbox 360 Achievements was posted to the Internet in early May.[12]

Throughout September 2009, people who purchased or preordered Guitar Hero 5 in the US were given a code which they could redeem to receive a free copy of Guitar Hero: Van Halen prior to its retail release.[13] These copies began arriving to customers in early October for PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, and Wii players,[14] while the PlayStation 3 version was delayed due to a printing error.[15] The game came in a cardboard sleeve with cover art indicating that it was for promotional use.[16]

Soundtrack

Like the other band-centric Guitar Hero games, Guitar Hero: Van Halen includes 25 songs from the band Van Halen, including three guitar solos by Eddie Van Halen, in addition to 19 guest acts.[9] All of the Van Halen songs featured in the game are taken from the David Lee Roth era of the band. The game does not include any songs from the Sammy Hagar and Gary Cherone eras;[7] Activision's head of music licensing, Tim Riley, notes that the lack of such material was not due to any demands or requests made by David Lee Roth.[17] Riley also stated that most of the guest acts were selected by Wolfgang Van Halen, at the suggestion of Roth.[17] The following songs are included in the game:[2][4][5]

Year Song title Artist Guitar Career Venue Band Career Venue
1978 "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love" Van Halen 03.3 3. West Hollywood 03.4 3. West Hollywood


1980 "And the Cradle Will Rock..."+ Van Halen 05.1 5. New York City 03.1 3. West Hollywood


1978 "Atomic Punk" Van Halen 03.4 3. West Hollywood 05.2 5. New York City


1979 "Beautiful Girls" Van Halen 7.5 7. Dallas 09.1 9. New Netherlands


2005 "Best of You" Foo Fighters 04.1 4. Rome 02.4 2. Los Angeles


1982 "Cathedral"a Van Halen 10.4 10. The Early Years 10.6 10. The Early Years


2007 "Come to Life"+ Alter Bridge 06.4. 6. Berlin 06.5 6. Berlin


1979 "Dance the Night Away" Van Halen 3.1 3. West Hollywood 5.3 5. New York City


2002 "Dope Nose" Weezer 04.5 4. Rome 06.4 6. Berlin


1978 "Double Vision"+ Foreigner 04.3 4. Rome 06.1 6. Berlin


2004 "End of Heartache" "The End of Heartache"

+ || Killswitch Engage || 08.2 8. London

04.4 4. Rome


1978 "Eruption"a Van Halen 10.6 10. The Early Years 07.2 7. Dallas


1980 "Everybody Wants Some!!" Van Halen 05.2 5. New York City 03.5 3. West Hollywood


1978 "Feel Your Love Tonight" Van Halen 07.1 7. Dallas 07.4 7. Dallas


2001 "First Date" Blink-182 02.2 2. Los Angeles 04.5 4. Rome


1982 "Hang ‘Em High"+ Van Halen 09.4 9. New Netherlands 09.3 9. New Netherlands


1981 "Hear About It Later"+ Van Halen 07.2 7. Dallas 5.4 5. New York City


1984 "Hot for Teacher"+ Van Halen 10.2 10. The Early Years 10.4 10. The Early Years


1978 "Ice Cream Man" Van Halen 07.3 7. Dallas 07.5 7. Dallas


1978 "I'm the One"+ Van Halen 10.3 10. The Early Years 10.3 10. The Early Years


1989 "I Want It All" Queen 06.2 6. Berlin 06.2 6. Berlin


1982 "Intruder/(Oh) Pretty Woman" Van Halen 03.5 3. West Hollywood 03.2 3. West Hollywood


1978 "Jamie's Cryin'" Van Halen 03.2 3. West Hollywood 03.3 3. West Hollywood


1984 "Jump" Van Halen 05.5 5. New York City 05.5 5. New York City


1982 "Little Guitars" Van Halen 09.2 9. New Netherlands 07.1 7. Dallas


1980 "Loss of Control"+ Van Halen 09.5 9. New Netherlands 09.5 9. New Netherlands


2006 "Master Exploder" Tenacious D 08.4 8. London 06.3 6. Berlin


1981 "Mean Street" Van Halen 09.1 9. New Netherlands 10.2 10. The Early Years


2004 "Pain" Jimmy Eat World 04.2 4. Rome 04.2. 4 Rome


1990 "Painkiller"+ Judas Priest 08.1 8. London 08.4 8. London


1984 "Panama" Van Halen 01.1 1. Van Halen Intro 01.1 1. Van Halen Intro


1998 "Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)" Offspring The Offspring 06.1 6. Berlin 02.3 2. Los Angeles


1995 "Rock and Roll Is Dead" Lenny Kravitz 04.4 4. Rome 04.3 4. Rome


1980 "Romeo Delight" Van Halen 10.1 10. The Early Years 09.4 9. New Netherlands


1978 "Runnin' with the Devil" Van Halen 01.2 1. Van Halen Intro 01.2 1. Van Halen Intro


1978 "Safe European Home" Clash The Clash 02.3 2. Los Angeles 02.5 2. Los Angeles


1997 "Semi-Charmed Life" Third Eye Blind 02.5 2. Los Angeles 04.1 4. Rome


2007 "Sick, Sick, Sick" Queens of the Stone Age 08.3. 8. London 08.3 8. London


1981 "So This Is Love?" Van Halen 07.4 7. Dallas 10.1 10. The Early Years


1979 "Somebody Get Me a Doctor" Van Halen 09.3 9. New Netherlands 09.2 9. New Netherlands


1972 "Space Truckin'" Deep Purple 06.3 6. Berlin 08.1 8. London


1979 "Spanish Fly"a Van Halen 10.5 10. The Early Years 10.5 10. The Early Years


2003 "Stacy's Mom" Fountains of Wayne 02.4 2. Los Angeles 02.2 2. Los Angeles


2007 "Takedown" "The Takedown" Yellowcard 06.5 6. Berlin 08.2 8. London


1981 "Unchained" Van Halen 05.3 5. New York City 05.1 5. New York City


1982 "White Wedding (Part 1)" Billy Idol 02.1 2. Los Angeles 02.1 2. Los Angeles


1978 "You Really Got Me" Van Halen 05.4 5. New York City 07.3 7. Dallas


^+ Song contains both a single and double bass drums chart.
^a Song is a guitar solo by Eddie Van Halen.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate scores
AggregatorScore
GameRankings65.6%[18]
Metacritic55/100[19]
Review scores
PublicationScore
CVG4.0/10[20]
G43/5[21]
GamePro2.5/5[22]
IGN4.9/10[23]

Early reviews of the promotional version of the game received by redeeming a code that came with Guitar Hero 5 were critical of the game. IGN's Erik Brudvig rated the game 4.9/10, citing problems with the lack of relevance of Van Halen relative to the culture of the 2000s, including having their avatars based on their current appearances rather than that of their 80s heyday, the lack of songs from Sammy Hagar's period in the band, and the lack of features since introduced with Guitar Hero 5. Brudvig ultimately stated that those who got the game free through the Guitar Hero 5 promotion "got what they paid for".[23] Robert Workman of Game Daily was less critical of the title, but still noted that the game lacked features, including some mention of Hagar and Gary Cherone and songs from their period with the band, and felt that the title was below the quality of Guitar Hero: Metallica.[24] Both Brudvig and Workman commented positively on the sound recordings and the note tracking of the Van Halen songs.[23][24]

Guitar Hero: Van Halen reviews following its release were mixed. Ben Kuchera of Ars Technica considered the game's limited coverage of the band's history to be "a sadly revisionist and dishonest take", and felt that the non-Van Halen songs clashed with the band's own material. Kuchera further pointed to Activision's distribution strategy for the game, stating that he felt that giving the game away free with Guitar Hero 5 showed that Activision did not have confidence in the game.[25] Philip Horton of The Telegraph was critical of the game's song selection, the band's modern appearance, and the lack of any additional extras compared with either the previous band-centric games or Guitar Hero 5, and described it as "the weakest offering in the series to date".[26] Kate Carter of The Guardian commented that the game is "neither one thing or the other", as it neither succeeds at bringing anything new to the Guitar Hero series nor fully pays tribute to Van Halen.[27] Computer and Video Games' review complained about the "shoddy character models" and described it as "the laziest Guitar Hero yet",[20] and Nathan Meunier of GamePro said that while the Van Halen songs were good and challenging, the remaining tracks did not fit the theme of the game, and that "the lackluster presentation makes the game feel more like a glorified track pack than a true homage".[22]

Guitar Hero: Van Halen sold fewer than 75,000 units across all platforms in North America from December 22 to 31, 2009, according to NPD Group.[28] As of April 2010, the game has sold fewer than 250,000 copies worldwide, with only 95,000 units sold in North America.[29][30] These numbers do not include copies of the game distributed in conjunction with Guitar Hero 5.

References

  1. ↑ "Guitar Hero: Van Halen". Stack Magazine. http://www.stack.net.au/games-previews/242/Guitar-Hero-Van-Halen. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Frushtick, Russ (2009-08-05). "Exclusive: 'Guitar Hero: Van Halen' Song List And Release Date Revealed". MTV. http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2009/08/05/exclusive-guitar-hero-van-halen-song-list-and-release-date-revealed/. 
  3. ↑ "Guitar Hero(R) Van Halen(R) Erupts Onto Retail Shelves Nationwide". PR Newswire. 2009-12-22. http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/guitar-heror-van-halenr-erupts-onto-retail-shelves-nationwide-79889862.html. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Hatfield, Dameon (2009-06-04). "E3 2009: Guitar Hero Van Halen Preview". http://ps3.ign.com/articles/991/991850p1.html. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Kreps, Daniel (2009-06-04). ""Guitar Hero: Van Halen" Trailer Rolls Out at E3 Expo". Rolling Stone. https://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/06/04/guitar-hero-van-halen-trailer-rolls-out-at-e3-expo/. Retrieved 2009-06-04. 
  6. ↑ Kreps, Daniel (2009-06-08). ""Guitar Hero: Van Halen" Nixes Michael Anthony, Sammy Hagar". Rolling Stone. https://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/06/08/guitar-hero-van-halen-nixes-sammy-hagar-michael-anthony/. Retrieved 2009-06-08. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Kreps, Daniel (2009-08-06). ""Guitar Hero: Van Halen" Due December 22nd: Full Track List". Rolling Stone. https://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/08/06/guitar-hero-van-halen-due-december-22nd-full-track-list/. Retrieved 2009-08-06. 
  8. ↑ Faylor, Chris (2009-12-09). "Guitar Hero Van Halen Demo Hits Xbox 360". Shacknews. http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/61543. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 O'Conner, Alice (2009-05-07). "DJ Hero, Guitar Hero 5, Guitar Hero Van Halen and Band Hero Announced". Shacknews. http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/58521. 
  10. ↑ McWhartor, Michael (2009-04-17). "Guitar Hero: Van Halen Confirmed By Ratings Board?". Kotaku. http://kotaku.com/5216877/guitar-hero-van-halen-confirmed-by-ratings-board. 
  11. ↑ Plunkett, Luke (2009-04-24). "Guitar Hero: Van Halen Now Available For Pre-Order At GameStop". Kotaku. http://kotaku.com/5225566/guitar-hero-van-halen-now-available-for-pre+order-at-gamestop. 
  12. ↑ Robinson, Andy (2009-05-01). "Guitar Hero: Van Halen exposed". Computer and Video Games. http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=214162. Retrieved 2009-05-01. 
  13. ↑ Breckon, Nick (2009-08-11). "Buy Guitar Hero 5, Get Free Advance Copy of Guitar Hero: Van Halen". Shacknews. http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/59937. 
  14. ↑ Razak, Matthew (2009-10-04). "GH: Van Halen lands, yours should be there Monday". http://www.destructoid.com/gh-van-halen-lands-yours-should-be-there-monday-150892.phtml. 
  15. ↑ Fletcher, JC (2009-10-15). "Runnin' Late with the Devil: Guitar Hero Van Halen delayed on PS3". Joystiq. http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/15/runnin-late-with-the-devil-guitar-hero-van-halen-delayed-on-ps/. 
  16. ↑ Vore, Bryan (2009-10-06). "Guitar Hero: Van Halen Has Arrived". Game Informer. http://gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2009/10/06/guitar-hero-van-halen-has-arrived.aspx. Retrieved 2010-04-10. 
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Brudvig, Erik (2009-08-10). "Why is Weezer in Guitar Hero Van Halen?". http://ps2.ign.com/articles/101/1012475p1.html. 
  18. ↑ "Guitar Hero: Van Halen". GameRankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/960088-guitar-hero-van-halen/index.html. 
  19. ↑ "Guitar Hero: Van Halen (360: 2009)". Metacritic. http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/xbox360/guitarherovanhalen. 
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 "Guitar Hero: Van Halen Review". Computer and Video Games. 2010-02-19. http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=235647. 
  21. ↑ Pfister, Andrew (2009-12-21). "Guitar Hero: Van Halen Review". G4TV. http://g4tv.com/games/xbox-360/57249/Guitar-Hero-Van-Halen/review/. 
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Meunier, Nathan (2009-12-22). "Guitar Hero: Van Halen Review". GamePro. http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/213338/guitar-hero-van-halen/. Retrieved 2010-04-11. 
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 Brudvig, Eric (2009-10-22). "Guitar Hero: Van Halen Review". http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/103/1037777p1.html. 
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 Workman, Robert (2009-10-14). "Guitar Hero: Van Halen Review". Game Daily. http://www.gamedaily.com/games/guitar-hero-van-halen/xbox-360/game-reviews/review/8837/2354/. 
  25. ↑ Kuchera, Ben (2009-12-23). "Guitar Hero: Van Halen a big lump of coal in our stockings". https://arstechnica.com/gaming/reviews/2009/12/guitar-hero-van-halen-is-a-big-lump-of-coal-in-my-stocking.ars. 
  26. ↑ Horton, Philip (2010-02-22). "Guitar Hero: Van Halen video game review". The Telegraph. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/video-games/7292154/Guitar-Hero-Van-Halen-video-game-review.html. 
  27. ↑ Carter, Kate (2010-02-16). "Guitar Hero Van Halen". The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/technology/gamesblog/2010/feb/16/guitar-hero-van-halen-review. 
  28. ↑ Kohler, Chris (2010-01-15). "NPD Analysis: How to Sell a Wii Game". Wired. https://www.wired.com/gamelife/2010/01/npd-analysis-how-to-sell-a-wii-game/. Retrieved 2010-01-16. 
  29. ↑ Patten, Dominic (2010-03-30). "A Hard Day's Night for Music Video Games". The Wrap. http://www.thewrap.com/article/music-videogames-trouble-15797. 
  30. ↑ Hatfield, Daemon (2010-05-12). "Are Single-band Music Games a Success?". http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/108/1089238p1.html. 
  1. ↑ Ported to PlayStation 2 and Wii by Budcat Creations

External links



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