Here's the thing about artists... Now, I don't have any talent. Because if I did then I would have been on America's got Talent, or American Idol. My only talent is being able to not shut the fuck up and listen to other people's point of view. So, I'm talentless and so are you because we will never be as great as Lady Gaga, or America's favorite (Crack Addict *Allegedly*) Whitney Houston.
So to make it even more of a slap in the face, production companies named: Activision and Harmonix; have made it a point to make sure we all know we suck ass at any talent. Weather it be Guitar, Bass, Drums and Vocals... Now we have to suck at being a local DJ in Holland. Let's face it... They listen to Electronica every day of the week. (Sighs) And here's another thing, I never knew I wasn't eye foot coordinated till DDR came to home consoles. So, yes... I guess that's the one and only thing we have to thank to these video games. Aside from the fact we'll never amount to being real rock stars or DJ's. And I want to make a statement here... Anyone who can do the foot movements in DDR at a club is an idiot. And it's not called dancing. Which is why knowing how to 'DANCE' DDR style is something most people keep in the closet.
Guitar Hero & Rock Band is the ultimate "Let's see you suck ass" video game. It's almost amazing how much excitement we get when just starting out. But then after starting on whatever campaign you want. It's a reality set back when you can't sing Bon Jovi "LIVING ON A PRAYER!!!" Yeah, no? Okay, screw it. Point is, I'm a second Tenor and I have no way to singing like Jovi. Never will. So, anytime that song pops up. I drop out. Makes sense, right? But that's the issue from the get go. Now if I have one suggestion to make to both company's. There should be a vocal range engine. So the player can pick to be an Soprano, Alto, Tenor, and Bass. Ya'know? I mean, I don't expect a Soprano to sing an Elvis or Willy song. Ya'know? And I don't expect a Bass to sing Paramore. (Moving On)....
The guitar & bass are always the "talent" oriented controls. Why? Ask yourself this... "Can anyone (Human that is) play 'Through the Fire and Flames' on Expert and not miss a note?" At first players feel a bit shy and so they start on beginner. Which either means, strum the plastic guitar you idiot. Or, strum and hit three buttons you idiot. (The same can be said about the drums too.) But the thing is, this video game with the guitar/bass campaign really shows how much time and effort is put into your "talent." Weather it's really something to use on the job force. Or even something to brag about... Hint, hint, wink, wink you DDR peeps!
But what really erks me the most is the character section. I mean, sure I want an "AVATAR" to be on the tellie and look just like me. But neither character altering engines ever seem to grasp the idea behind the human body. Back in Tony Hawk Pro. 3 NeverSoft did a cool job. But in Guitar Hero.... They fell flat with TOO MANY alterations. Because I could have a Punk (Attitude) and Gothic cloths all the while with Glam hair styles.... Sigh.... It took at least thirty minuets to make a character for my friend. And then it was my turn... Another thirty minuets because I wasn't paying attention. Between playing GH and RB when it was my turn to make an avatar... by the time five minutes passed by I said screw it and let's play.
So I had this, fucked up avatar for a vocalist... Who strangely looked a lot like Kate Gosselin. Look, I don't know how. And I can't explain it. But it did okay. It had that weird hair cut... and it started to make me wonder if this is what she looks like on the off days. RIGHT?
But one thing I found really fun with video games in the past year... My (Language) Coach. I personally bought the "Japanese" version of the game. And it uses every bit of the Nintendo DS. You have to write, speak and listen to everything. Under a month of playing the "Educational Game" I felt like I knew more Japanese than the people at Mandarin Chef. Only to realize, Mandarin is a completely different language to Japanese. So, really if you're planning on taking a second language course. Or if you're traveling to a distant land. Hawaii doesn't count. Buy "My (Language) Coach." It's a bang for your buck and Dummies have nothing on it.
My favorite feature on the game is the recoding section. All you do is click on a word. Then chose to "Speak" it. Then, it'll have a pre-recorded version you listen to. And then record as the voice says it. Then you change the style of pronunciation when needed. The side games for learning the language is really effective. "Fading Characters" and "Hit a Word" to list just a few of the side games. But the game is more than just learning too. There's a whole section of diction. Quick look ups for typical things to say in a foriegn language. For example, "Where is the toilet?" or "Which way to the airport?" I highly recommend this game to anyone. I would have to say the "My (Language) Coach" and Rosetta Stone would be great companions to use.
XXOO,
Seanie
So to make it even more of a slap in the face, production companies named: Activision and Harmonix; have made it a point to make sure we all know we suck ass at any talent. Weather it be Guitar, Bass, Drums and Vocals... Now we have to suck at being a local DJ in Holland. Let's face it... They listen to Electronica every day of the week. (Sighs) And here's another thing, I never knew I wasn't eye foot coordinated till DDR came to home consoles. So, yes... I guess that's the one and only thing we have to thank to these video games. Aside from the fact we'll never amount to being real rock stars or DJ's. And I want to make a statement here... Anyone who can do the foot movements in DDR at a club is an idiot. And it's not called dancing. Which is why knowing how to 'DANCE' DDR style is something most people keep in the closet.
Guitar Hero & Rock Band is the ultimate "Let's see you suck ass" video game. It's almost amazing how much excitement we get when just starting out. But then after starting on whatever campaign you want. It's a reality set back when you can't sing Bon Jovi "LIVING ON A PRAYER!!!" Yeah, no? Okay, screw it. Point is, I'm a second Tenor and I have no way to singing like Jovi. Never will. So, anytime that song pops up. I drop out. Makes sense, right? But that's the issue from the get go. Now if I have one suggestion to make to both company's. There should be a vocal range engine. So the player can pick to be an Soprano, Alto, Tenor, and Bass. Ya'know? I mean, I don't expect a Soprano to sing an Elvis or Willy song. Ya'know? And I don't expect a Bass to sing Paramore. (Moving On)....
The guitar & bass are always the "talent" oriented controls. Why? Ask yourself this... "Can anyone (Human that is) play 'Through the Fire and Flames' on Expert and not miss a note?" At first players feel a bit shy and so they start on beginner. Which either means, strum the plastic guitar you idiot. Or, strum and hit three buttons you idiot. (The same can be said about the drums too.) But the thing is, this video game with the guitar/bass campaign really shows how much time and effort is put into your "talent." Weather it's really something to use on the job force. Or even something to brag about... Hint, hint, wink, wink you DDR peeps!
But what really erks me the most is the character section. I mean, sure I want an "AVATAR" to be on the tellie and look just like me. But neither character altering engines ever seem to grasp the idea behind the human body. Back in Tony Hawk Pro. 3 NeverSoft did a cool job. But in Guitar Hero.... They fell flat with TOO MANY alterations. Because I could have a Punk (Attitude) and Gothic cloths all the while with Glam hair styles.... Sigh.... It took at least thirty minuets to make a character for my friend. And then it was my turn... Another thirty minuets because I wasn't paying attention. Between playing GH and RB when it was my turn to make an avatar... by the time five minutes passed by I said screw it and let's play.
So I had this, fucked up avatar for a vocalist... Who strangely looked a lot like Kate Gosselin. Look, I don't know how. And I can't explain it. But it did okay. It had that weird hair cut... and it started to make me wonder if this is what she looks like on the off days. RIGHT?
But one thing I found really fun with video games in the past year... My (Language) Coach. I personally bought the "Japanese" version of the game. And it uses every bit of the Nintendo DS. You have to write, speak and listen to everything. Under a month of playing the "Educational Game" I felt like I knew more Japanese than the people at Mandarin Chef. Only to realize, Mandarin is a completely different language to Japanese. So, really if you're planning on taking a second language course. Or if you're traveling to a distant land. Hawaii doesn't count. Buy "My (Language) Coach." It's a bang for your buck and Dummies have nothing on it.
My favorite feature on the game is the recoding section. All you do is click on a word. Then chose to "Speak" it. Then, it'll have a pre-recorded version you listen to. And then record as the voice says it. Then you change the style of pronunciation when needed. The side games for learning the language is really effective. "Fading Characters" and "Hit a Word" to list just a few of the side games. But the game is more than just learning too. There's a whole section of diction. Quick look ups for typical things to say in a foriegn language. For example, "Where is the toilet?" or "Which way to the airport?" I highly recommend this game to anyone. I would have to say the "My (Language) Coach" and Rosetta Stone would be great companions to use.
XXOO,
Seanie
