Question about the Guitar Hero games...
 

Do you have to have the guitar control? I'm sure it makes it better but I wonder if you have to have it. In addition, any idea if you have to buy all the instruments for Rock Band, or will you be able to just play with the regular controller?

In GH, it is possible to play with the standard XBox controller. In much the same way, it is possible to eat a bowl of hearty soup with a fork and knife.

What extra do you get from the guitar then? I know it makes it more "real" but is there anything you can't do the regular controller?

I don't know if Guitar Hero or Rock Band are games fr you if you don't see the appeal in "making it feel real."

Just not sure I see the point of a married 31 year old playing with a guitar. Feels like I should just learn how to play the real thing if I'm going to go that far.

Is 31 the point where you become an old fart? If so, then what's the point of a married 31 yo simply playing video games at all? :p

FM

Or the appeal of a married 31 year old pretending to be a quarterback or fat italian plumber who can crush things by jumping on them or pretending to be a covert, elite special forces op, or... that just seems like a dumb reason to not want to play. Like MikeVic said, maybe Guitar Hero isn't for you.

Part of the appeal is the immersion aspect of it, pretending to play some of your favorite songs. No, none of us are living in our basement pretending we're in a band, disrupting the neighbors to show how hardcore we are. But, part of the experience is playing it with the guitar.

Also, as the bard said, "In GH, it is possible to play with the standard XBox controller. In much the same way, it is possible to eat a bowl of hearty soup with a fork and knife." You don't want to try it and you won't get anything out of it if you do. It was like in the 90s when you tried to play a button mashing fighting game like Street Fighter with a 3 button controller- I suppose you could get it to work but it's really difficult and it'd be more frustrating than anything.

SI

yeah, what I meant, only better said, but also with way more words. :D

Good point, and I've actually started to learn acoustic guitar after playing Guitar Hero 3.

But the amount of time it takes to learn to play songs in Guitar Hero 3 and on a real guitar is not even comparable. If you have the free time like I do, then learn real guitar.

My wife definitely asks that question.

woah, then I'm sad for you. I know my wife doesn't really understand why I spend so much time playing (although I don't spend all that much, simply more time in front of a PC than in front of a TV) but she's never asked much questions about it...

FM

This should be a lesson for all you guys to only marry gamer chicks. We actually think your cool when you find a great game, because that means we get to play too! :p

........................................................wow, that sucks.

+1

Very well put.

From what I remember the guitar from GH3 or GH2 is not compatible with Rock Band and vice versa.

I switched from PS2 to XBOX360 when GH3 came out, so I only have one 360 Guitar. So me and my son finished Co-op mode on medium with me playing bass on the controller. The guitar is a lot easier IMO. You don't have to pick the note when using the controller, just hit the right button when the note crosses. It seemed almost like a puzzle game where blocks are falling and you click when they hit the bottom. The biggest problem I found was it uses the triggers on the controller and a fast series of single notes were problematic. If they were the short throw buttons it would maybe be easier.

I don't feel like it's eating soup with a fork and knife, maybe more like a spork.

I don't see what the fun would be playing without the guitar.

Agreed.

You can't grind your axe without an axe.

Well....obviously the opinions are strong. Does the guitar with II work with III?

Yes. Actually my son likes the cabled guitar from II better than the wireless from III.

So does that mean it wouldn't be lame for me to learn to play guitar now that I'm 30? Sweet!

Well....wasn't planning on getting this but walked by it in Sam's and it was only $78 for the bundle.