Guitar Hero 3 Announced

Damn it, I don't have a working burner.

I'm downloading it right now, I'm gonna give it a try. Maybe this is what I need to finally push me over the fence.

I downloaded, burnt it and beat the demo(on normal). The songs are really fun, at least I can say on normal they are. I'm feeling a lot less worried about whether I shouldn't have pre-ordered the game.

Full instructions:
Go here and download the ISO- http://www.xboxlivetheguide.co.uk/Ne...

Open with a program that burns Images, Nero,etc.

Burn it to a dvd or cd, doesn't matter.

When you have it in your 360, you need to go to the blade where you normally play downloaded demos. Guitar Hero 3 will be listed with all your other demos you have on your machine.

I downloaded it. To me, the game feels like Guitar Hero which is a good thing. I'm sure some of you expert-Freebird-mastering guys will be able to tell the rest of us if the note timing is 0.0063 seconds different than GH2 but it feels good to me.

I like the new interface. Being able to see exactly how many notes you've played in a row is especially nice.

I tried the battle mode with my brother and it was actually pretty fun. I know a lot of people are kinda down on this mode only time will tell if there is enough there to be entertaining for more than a few hours but we had a fun time playing battling through a couple songs.

The timing for hammer-ons is definitely improved even over GH2. This makes the game both easier and harder. The riffs on expert have a lot of hammer on/pull offs but they aren't so hard to hit as the old games. So they look crazy but they're hittable.

They definitely do crazy things with the note tracking in the game now, but its fun!

The Metal rules

The timing for hammer-ons is definitely improved even over GH2. This makes the game both easier and harder. The riffs on expert have a lot of hammer on/pull offs but they aren't so hard to hit as the old games. So they look crazy but they're hittable.

You're quite right. After playing some more on expert I could definitely feel the difference. There are some runs I never would have been able to do in GH2. A little more forgiving is fine by me, 'cause I suck. Will hardcore players feel it's too easy now?

I'm downloading the demo now, gonna post my impressions as soon as I get it to work.

Edit: I've tried all the songs now, the Hammer ons and pull-offs are definately easier than in GH2. I like Even Flow, The Metal is kinda hard but the kind of hard that I enjoy (I enjoy stuff more of the likes like free bird and jessica). I like the art design more in this game than guitar hero except for the notes, which look kinda dull, or superbright when your using the wammy bar. Oh yeah, and the punkrocker and lead singer looks like people that I wouldn't want to meet alone in an alley.

Well, I got really excited when I got home today and found my review "kit" of GH3 waiting on my door step. I knew it was in the mail, but didn't know if it would be here for the weekend. Talk about a good new/bad news roller coaster:

- Wired guitar. (ah well. I can live with that. but it's a bummer.)
- It's not the game at all, but the same demo disc everybody can download. oops.

So, basically all I've got at this point is the wired version of the new guitar. I will say this for it, I like it a hell of a lot better than the GH2 360 one (bear in mind my GH2 guitar has the wonky whammy bar). It is heftier, and at first the slightly different spacing of fret buttons threw me off, but it doesn't take long to adjust to that. (Had some problems shifting down to the orange fret when playing Hit Me With Your Best Shot.) The cord for the thing is ridiculously short. It would be a real problem if I hadn't bought a USB extension cable earlier this year. On the other hand, the strap seems longer, which is nice. Thankfully, since I like this guitar better, it does work with GH2. (I didn't think to try the GH2 controller with GH3, but I have to assume it works, since everyone else is playing it with the demo disc.) Also, Star Power -to me- seems easier to activate in this game. At first I thought it was just easier with the GH3 axe, but when I went back to GH2 -only one song- it felt like I was still having to tilt the thing way up there to get it to activate (could be my imagination).

Can't comment much on the game. I played all five tracks on the demo disc and they're fun. It's definitely Guitar Hero, so if you were worried about the in-song gameplay sucking, I think you can exhale. I had zero problems with the responsiveness. I kinda like the old score/star display better in GH2, but that's just cosmetic and not a big deal at all.
---Todd

So far the only thing I don't like in the demo are the pop up messages when you score so many notes in a row. Hopefully this can be disabled in the retail version.

@Ubrakto: Your right about the star power, it's a lot easier to activate in Guitar Hero 3 with the GH2 controller as well. The songs are good (best one is Lay Down by far :D), I still worry about the boss battles not being fun though. And also a tip, since your saying that you "Had some problems shifting down to the orange fret". Instead of holding your fingers on G-R-Y-B, hold them on R-Y-B-O. It's a lot easier to shift your index finger to the green than to shift from blue to orange. The only problem you will get with this hold is in songs are heavy with red-green chords, however that shouldn't be a major problem on the harder songs.

@Trowan: I like the popupmessages, one of the small new features that to me enhances the game.

Ultimadark wrote:

@Ubrakto: Your right about the star power, it's a lot easier to activate in Guitar Hero 3 with the GH2 controller as well. The songs are good (best one is Lay Down by far :D), I still worry about the boss battles not being fun though. And also a tip, since your saying that you "Had some problems shifting down to the orange fret". Instead of holding your fingers on G-R-Y-B, hold them on R-Y-B-O. It's a lot easier to shift your index finger to the green than to shift from blue to orange. The only problem you will get with this hold is in songs are heavy with red-green chords, however that shouldn't be a major problem on the harder songs.

@Trowan: I like the popupmessages, one of the small new features that to me enhances the game.

Actually, I do default to R-Y-B-O. I was having problems at first shifting both up and down and still lining up right. It took all of half a song to get past it, though.

I like that the game gives you a note streak pop up too, but I wouldn't mind if it were located elsewhere on the screen instead of overlaying the stream of notes coming down. That might get old.

Other stuff I've noticed:

- I think it's harder to read the star power and multiplier gauges. In GH2 the gauges are more colorful and I think they pop out better, making them easier to glance at from your peripheral vision. Now you pretty much have to look right at 'em to see where you stand.

- Is it me or are the "scratch" and "gaff" sounds that occur when you biff a note (or notes) not as jarring in GH3? There are moments where if I'm just missing a note or two it's hard to tell just from the audio if I've missed it or not. I think I prefer the more jarring effect of GH2 in that regard, but it's not a big deal.

Again, though, this still feels like playing a GH game, so I'm happy with what I've seen so far, overall.
---Todd

ubrakto wrote:

I like that the game gives you a note streak pop up too, but I wouldn't mind if it were located elsewhere on the screen instead of overlaying the stream of notes coming down. That might get old.

Other stuff I've noticed:

- I think it's harder to read the star power and multiplier gauges. In GH2 the gauges are more colorful and I think they pop out better, making them easier to glance at from your peripheral vision. Now you pretty much have to look right at 'em to see where you stand.

- Is it me or are the "scratch" and "gaff" sounds that occur when you biff a note (or notes) not as jarring in GH3? There are moments where if I'm just missing a note or two it's hard to tell just from the audio if I've missed it or not. I think I prefer the more jarring effect of GH2 in that regard, but it's not a big deal.

Again, though, this still feels like playing a GH game, so I'm happy with what I've seen so far, overall.
---Todd

Yeah I agree that it's harder to quickly understand the star power meter in the sense that you don't really know how much you have, however it's easy to see if you have star power available at all or not (if you don't the star power is orange, otherwise blue). The multiplier gauge is harder to watch as well, but it all fits in very nicely with the new art design, I like the new look more but it's a little bit harder to see stuff. One thing that really bothers me though is the look of the notes that have lines trailing behind them, the lines look really ugly when your playing them, especially when using the whammy bar. Way to bright and also very aliased. I have spotted some more aliasing on the fretboard/game screen as well, is anyone else noticing this or is it just me?

About the "biffing" of notes, when you only miss 1 note it doesn't seem to make a sound as jarring as in GH2, if you miss a few notes in a row however, you will certainly notice it.

The sound of bass 'biffing' is cool

If you'd like the irritating biff sounds to be louder, just turn the music and guitar sliders down a few notches.

I still can't get a straight answer from retailers as to whether or not I will be able to buy the wireless guitar on its own at launch. I really want 2 guitars.

Ubrakto: That's weird that your review kit is just the demo. Is everyone writing reviews from a demo or was your friend pulling your leg, or maybe just supposed to write a first impression type thing?

polypusher wrote:

Ubrakto: That's weird that your review kit is just the demo. Is everyone writing reviews from a demo or was your friend pulling your leg, or maybe just supposed to write a first impression type thing?

Well, the editor who sent it to me was under the impression that it would be the full game, so there was certainly a miscommunication from somebody at some point. If Activision were really expecting people to review the demo kit then I'd want some of what they're smoking, that's for damn sure. I don't think that's the case, though. Bummer for me, though. I was damned excited when I thought I was gonna be playing GH3 all weekend long.
---Todd

1 more week (and change)

Has anyone else thought the game sounded strange on surround sound? I have a 6.1 setup and the balance on my system sounds out of whack, like the band/guitar is kinda muffled and the star power effect, crowd and sound effects are really loud in comparison.

I'm not positive my system is properly setup. I notice sound problems in several games and many HD broadcasts. Like last week, the football game had commercials that were very very quiet compared to the broadcast of the game. My rear speakers are turned down pretty low since they're pretty much right on top of the couch. That could contribute to the problem, but I thought I'd see if anyone else noticed the same thing.

Most games and movies sound fine.

Get yourself an Avia or Video Essentials setup DVD and a Radio Shack SPL meter. You shouldn't really need to turn down the speakers very much due to proximity, but you will need to set the distance on your receiver to adjust timing.

Quiet commercials in comparison is a boon. Much preferable to the audio push they normally try.

ubrakto wrote:

Actually, I do default to R-Y-B-O. I was having problems at first shifting both up and down and still lining up right. It took all of half a song to get past it, though.

You bastards with your four working fingers in Guitar Hero. My pinky effing refuses to work as I command it on those controllers. Or ever really.

polypusher wrote:

1 more week (and change)

Has anyone else thought the game sounded strange on surround sound? I have a 6.1 setup and the balance on my system sounds out of whack, like the band/guitar is kinda muffled and the star power effect, crowd and sound effects are really loud in comparison.

I'm not positive my system is properly setup. I notice sound problems in several games and many HD broadcasts. Like last week, the football game had commercials that were very very quiet compared to the broadcast of the game. My rear speakers are turned down pretty low since they're pretty much right on top of the couch. That could contribute to the problem, but I thought I'd see if anyone else noticed the same thing.

Most games and movies sound fine.

Yeah... same here, and there is no problem in GH2

polypusher wrote:

1 more week (and change)

Has anyone else thought the game sounded strange on surround sound? I have a 6.1 setup and the balance on my system sounds out of whack, like the band/guitar is kinda muffled and the star power effect, crowd and sound effects are really loud in comparison.

I'm not positive my system is properly setup. I notice sound problems in several games and many HD broadcasts. Like last week, the football game had commercials that were very very quiet compared to the broadcast of the game. My rear speakers are turned down pretty low since they're pretty much right on top of the couch. That could contribute to the problem, but I thought I'd see if anyone else noticed the same thing.

Most games and movies sound fine.

The crows effects are indeed much louder than in GH2.

I'd just like to add that I finally beat Farscry's ****ing score in "Trippin' On A Hole In A Paper Heart". That is all.

Prederick wrote:

I'd just like to add that I finally beat Farscry's ****ing score in "Trippin' On A Hole In A Paper Heart". That is all.

Do you have some kind of competition on these boards? I don't like that song, but if you got some other song that you want to post your score of, please do and I'll post mine (if I'm not too far behind :P)

Ultimadark wrote:

Do you have some kind of competition on these boards? I don't like that song, but if you got some other song that you want to post your score of, please do and I'll post mine (if I'm not too far behind :P)

I believe the 360 Leaderboards are what we're using as a point of reference for scores. Feel free to send friend invites so you can jump on.

polypusher wrote:

Has anyone else thought the game sounded strange on surround sound? I have a 6.1 setup and the balance on my system sounds out of whack, like the band/guitar is kinda muffled and the star power effect, crowd and sound effects are really loud in comparison.

ChrisLTD wrote:

Yeah... same here, and there is no problem in GH2

I've got my 360 hooked up to my PC setup, so no surround sound for me, unfortunately. I doubt it, but I wonder if it could just be the demo?

I can already tell it'll be a long time before I finish Tenacious D on Expert. I'm not feeling that one at all.
---Todd

dhaelis wrote:
Ultimadark wrote:

Do you have some kind of competition on these boards? I don't like that song, but if you got some other song that you want to post your score of, please do and I'll post mine (if I'm not too far behind :P)

I believe the 360 Leaderboards are what we're using as a point of reference for scores. Feel free to send friend invites so you can jump on.

Sure, I'll check some XBL usernames out and add you later on. I'm ranked somewhere around 48000 on overall score.

Gh2 shipped with some sound problems. The bass track on many songs was way too loud compared to the others when you played in surround sound (fixed by switching to stereo)

I think Activision just doesn't test surround sound very well.

If anyone can recommend cost effective true surround sound headphones I might be able to fix that

I got to play Battle Mode with my roommate, and we were laughing our asses off the whole time. It's a minor change to the Face-Off formula, you both play at the same time, and instead of star power you earn "Dick With You" powerups that you send over to your buddy to screw him up. It's not much different that slapping the controller out of someone's hands while playing madden.

Otherwise, it feels very much like Guitar Hero. Lay Down is my favorite song on the demo, that opening riff is so much fun to play. The game feel slightly off, as I would expect being developed by someone new. The characters have a little less personality, as do those fun little comments on the loading screen. I can't quite tell about the timing of the game, I think I might prefer GH2. It's easier to finish a song in the green, or to get star power, but at the same time I can't tell if I have hit my notes or not. The feedback on my performance is a little off. Plus its way easier to mash the fret keys pseudo-randomly and pass a section. In all these are minor complaints, the game is very very close to the 3 before it.

Oh, and Judy Nails got a boob job. I never thought I'd be saying this, but I prefer the Judy with smaller knockers.

souldaddy wrote:

Oh, and Judy Nails got a boob job. I never thought I'd be saying this, but I prefer the Judy with smaller knockers.

Yeah. After a lot of, em, research with breast implants, I have to say that I do prefer natural breasts, even if they're smaller, absolutely. Specially because they all seem to harden after a couple of years.

But I won't complain if I have some huge silicone ones in front of me...

souldaddy wrote:

I got to play Battle Mode with my roommate, and we were laughing our asses off the whole time. It's a minor change to the Face-Off formula, you both play at the same time, and instead of star power you earn "Dick With You" powerups that you send over to your buddy to screw him up. It's not much different that slapping the controller out of someone's hands while playing madden.

Is that laughing as in laughing because it's funny, or laughing at the game because it's just plain sh*t? Because I honestly can't imagine that it's fun when notes disappear etcetera.

souldaddy wrote:

Oh, and Judy Nails got a boob job. I never thought I'd be saying this, but I prefer the Judy with smaller knockers.

She looks like some kind of combination of Emo/Goth/Christina Aguilera.

Prederick wrote:

She looks like some kind of combination of Emo/Goth/Christina Aguilera.

I read somewhere that the dev team decided to merge Judy Nails and Pandora, since they were getting quite close in terms of looks and style. Which, for me, kind of sucks, since Pandora was my favorite character since the first Guitar Hero.

Overall though, the demo makes me quite comfortable in my decision to pick up this game at a later point in time and not on release. It's very competent and I enjoyed playing most of the songs on it (even though I couldn't really get into the Tenacious D tune), but you can definitely tell there's some Harmonix polish missing. That doesn't make it a worse game by any intents and purposes, just different.