DJ Hero 2 Catch-All: Now with multiplayer

The first DJ Hero got decent reviews but didn't sell as well as Activision had hoped, but they've given the developers a second chance. I haven't played the first one, but the turntable bundle is $55 on Amazon these days, and the game looks like a hell of a lot of fun.

The sequel is adding something that everyone complained was missing from the original: multiplayer options that extend beyond ten or so songs. Videogamer.com describes the multiplayer this way:

Videogamer.com wrote:

Accumulator is a bit like a turntable-based variant of The Weakest Link: two players work their way through a mix, filling up a progress bar in the centre of the screen by "banking" streaks of 50 beats or more; if you hold out for a longer streak you'll fill up the bar quicker, but obviously this also increases the odds that you'll c*ck up, forcing you to start from scratch. It's a simple setup, but one that seems like a natural fit for the game's focus on dexterity and timing, with friendly competition adding a further level of pressure to the already considerable challenge.

Accumulator mode looks fairly nasty in its own right, but if you're the kind of gamer who really likes a good scrap, you'll probably get most of your kicks via the new DJ Battles system. Here the game adopts a call and response-style approach, utilising specially-crafted mixes that echo the nightmarish demands of the hardcore tracks in Hero 1. One player works their way through a brief, 20 second section of mixing, then they have a break while the other player follows suit with an identical interlude; this alternating process then repeats itself over the course of the whole mix with the best performer nabbing the win. That all sounds very sedate, but in practice it looks like a towering contest of skill and ego, as each DJ attempts to outshine their rival.

Other new features include full integration of vocals, so you can score bonus points by singing or rapping over the mix, and freestyle sections where you can scratch, cross-fade, and sample the tracks at will. So far as artists go, it looks like the game will be all original mixes again featuring big names:

Videogamer.com wrote:

DJ Hero 2 will carry 70 mixes, mashed together from the works of 85 different artists. Freestyle has already revealed the presence of Dr. Dre, The Chemical Brothers, Kanye West, Metallica, Lady Gaga and Rihanna, while Activision's recent showcase event revealed the inclusion of MSTRKRFT, David Guetta, Pitbull, The p*ssycat Dolls and Deadmau5.

The game is expected to be sold on its own and as a bundle that includes two turn-tables and a microphone because multiplayer is where it's at.

Color me skeptical but very interested.

ClockworkHouse wrote:

The game is expected to be sold on its own and as a bundle that includes two turn-tables and a microphone because multiplayer is where it's at.

You sir, are a genius.

DJ Hero is one of those games I would love to get my hands on, I'm actually impressed that Activision has greenlighted a sequel.

I hope you can import the first one into the 2nd. I really enjoy the first - music is great and graphics are fun.

But it is hard.

Also, I forgot to mention that the game will also include a single-player progressive career mode ("Empire Mode").

MrDeVil909 wrote:

You sir, are a genius.

I couldn't help myself.

Cross-posting this from the deals thread:

ClockworkHouse wrote:

Today's Amazon deal is a pretty good one: DJ Hero: Renegade Edition for $75 for 360, PS3, and Wii.

The controller is cross-compatible with DJ Hero 2, and it's the heavy fancy-pants one that people liked so much.

Dang, this game is hard. A tip, though: calibrate your controller; it'll help.

ClockworkHouse wrote:

Dang, this game is hard. A tip, though: calibrate your controller; it'll help.

I loved the first, and had the same response. I know you are going to make fun of me, but as much as I want this game, I am not buying it because I hate odd number achievements.

SallyNasty wrote:
ClockworkHouse wrote:

Dang, this game is hard. A tip, though: calibrate your controller; it'll help.

I loved the first, and had the same response. I know you are going to make fun of me, but as much as I want this game, I am not buying it because I hate odd number achievements.

I actually thought of you when I saw an achievement pop for 3 GS. Given the animosity odd-numbered achievements get, I'm surprised they included not one but four of them.

ClockworkHouse wrote:
SallyNasty wrote:
ClockworkHouse wrote:

Dang, this game is hard. A tip, though: calibrate your controller; it'll help.

I loved the first, and had the same response. I know you are going to make fun of me, but as much as I want this game, I am not buying it because I hate odd number achievements.

I actually thought of you when I saw an achievement pop for 3 GS. Given the animosity odd-numbered achievements get, I'm surprised they included not one but four of them.

If it were only one or two moderate to get achievements, i could still go for it - but one of them is 5 starring everything on expert; are you kidding me!

SallyNasty wrote:
ClockworkHouse wrote:
SallyNasty wrote:
ClockworkHouse wrote:

Dang, this game is hard. A tip, though: calibrate your controller; it'll help.

I loved the first, and had the same response. I know you are going to make fun of me, but as much as I want this game, I am not buying it because I hate odd number achievements.

I actually thought of you when I saw an achievement pop for 3 GS. Given the animosity odd-numbered achievements get, I'm surprised they included not one but four of them.

If it were only one or two moderate to get achievements, i could still go for it - but one of them is 5 starring everything on expert; are you kidding me!

Totally, the achievements/trophies for this game are definitely something you have to work for. Or, just continually play because you're having as much fun as this game has given me. It was my GOTY and I still play it. Hard is too much of a difficulty bump for my motor skills, but they're some medium tracks that still eat me alive. If anyone else has this for the PS3, friend me up (cyrnix)! If you're not into multiplayer we'd at least be able to share scores.