Oh, cruel fate, why do you mock me?

[anarky]

This year for Christmas, I needed socks. All my long white socks have holes in them. Someone normally gets me socks for some reason.

Instead, my brothers-in-law told my wife they were going in with her mom on something big for both of us. She thought it was an i-Roomba robotic vacuum cleaner. I thought this was a dumb idea, but probably likely. She's been asking for one for years. I've never gotten her one simply because, as I've told her, I have never seen evidence that it would work, as we do not live in The Jetsons. But her mom only likes to give practical gifts. One year, she got me a wet-dry vac. (Fun!!) So there's a precedent of me receiving unsolicited vacuum cleaners.

When they brought in the box Christmas Eve, I knew from the size what it was, and what it was was not a vacuum cleaner, which would have been more fun (to me, at least). When they insisted that we open it early so we could all use it, my suspicions were confirmed. I let her open it, since she still thought it might be a robot vacuum cleaner, and I saw what I'd suspected.

Guitar Hero: World Tour: Complete Band Edition

I realize I am apparently the only person on earth to think the way I do, but I've made my thoughts on this game clear. I'm not trying to insult Anty or DB or anyone else. I simply cannot find the "fun" in this game that seems to me like a glorified version of Simon.

My mother-in-law had no idea what it was, only that she'd been told that we'd both love it. My bros-in-law are another story. They've both played it and loved it. I've even told them, when discussing games, that I don't really care for it. I like challenges and puzzles, not rote regurgitation.

I'm not complaining about them, as they're both great people, and I'm sure they probably just forgot that I'd said I couldn't get into the game when I'd tried it before. Or thought maybe I didn't give it a chance. And I really don't want to seem ungrateful that they forked over this insane amount of money (almost as much as the Wii itself!) for this game. But, damn, it kinda makes me feel like shit because they spent so much on something I didn't want and still don't care about. I see it as two fucking huge peripherals for the Wii that I have to box up or something. I can't get rid of it, since her entire family knows about it now, and we're the only ones in the family who have it, and they all seem to like it. I don't want them to know I don't much care for it. If it were a $10 shirt, I'd think differently, but this fucker costs what would be a whole paycheck for a lot of people.

I also know there is probably someone who didn't get this because the store was out, having sold one that would end up in my house. It feels weird to receive what may be the hottest gift in the land when you're someone who just isn't interested.

Some good came of it, though. I heard a song by Dinosaur Jr and another by Oasis that were both pretty cool and that I wasn't familiar with. I'd rather have gotten the CDs for Christmas, though, and let them save $150.

At least my kid had a great Christmas from everyone. That's what's important.

[Slicker]

Guitar Hero is much like a beard; it grows on you. I can see the comparison between it and Simon but it is a lot of fun. Have you ever played it? If not then at least give it a small chance.

[Senor JabbaJohnL]

It's also like a beard in the fact that it fucking rules. Sure, it's not like playing real guitar or drums, but it's fun. My sister got the Rock Band complete band set as well as just the game disc of Guitar Hero World Tour. On the PS2, anyway, the RB drums and mic work with GH, and we already had two GH guitars. And Rock Band costs about $90 less than the GH package (which is closer to $190 than $150, at least for PS2), so we got both.

[Zero]

I CANNOT GROW A BEARD.

LOGIC DICTATES THUS THAT I AM INCAPABLE OF PLAYING AND/OR ENJOYING GUITAR HERO.






STUPID BEARDS.

[anarky]

I did play it, Slick. Maybe I'm insane, but I'd rather hear Creedence pay "Up Around the Bend" than listen to someone butcher it by poorly playing "match the color." I know either I'm nuts, or everyone else on earth is nuts and I'm the only one who's sane!

[Senor JabbaJohnL]

I did play it, Slick. Maybe I'm insane, but I'd rather hear Creedence pay "Up Around the Bend" than listen to someone butcher it by poorly playing "match the color."

Which is why you keep playing until you get good at it, at which point it becomes fun.

[Jargo]

OMG!! it's like brainwashing. maybe certain people aren't receptive to a certain frequency that thrums away subliminaly, that controls players of games.
maybe the ones like anarky and me who don't 'get' this game are immune to the harmful subphonics.

you're all sleeper agents for some hideous alien race hellbent on subjucating the human race and turning us all into drone worker slaves!!!!!!

This may be our only chance of escape - Run anarky, RUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUN!!!

[Slicker]

I did play it, Slick. Maybe I'm insane, but I'd rather hear Creedence pay "Up Around the Bend" than listen to someone butcher it by poorly playing "match the color." I know either I'm nuts, or everyone else on earth is nuts and I'm the only one who's sane!

there's nothing wrong with not liking it. you're probably the first person I've heard of though that didn't like it.

[jdr3]

I third the motion to not like it, after Jargo's second. I rather just pick up my axe and play. Now, that's not to say that I don't like living life vicariously through video games. I picked up some Tony Hawk for the good ol' Xbox on sale and pretend I can really skate like that, but last time I tried jumping off a building with plywood under my feet it did not end well.

[Senor JabbaJohnL]

I third the motion to not like it, after Jargo's second. I rather just pick up my axe and play. Now, that's not to say that I don't like living life vicariously through video games. I picked up some Tony Hawk for the good ol' Xbox on sale and pretend I can really skate like that, but last time I tried jumping off a building with plywood under my feet it did not end well.

Not everyone has the ability to afford or play a real guitar, so this is as close as many people will get. I play the real drums, but I still have fun playing the Guitar Hero drums (though I do prefer the real thing). But they're two different beasts - as you said, video games aren't reflections of real life. I don't play Grand Theft Auto and then think I can go out and shoot people and run over hookers with my car or whatever.

I know that's not why anarky doesn't like it, but I've heard other people with that line of thinking, so just saying . . .

[anarky]

Honestly, if I've got to learn something that bears a strong resemblance to learning an instrument, I'd rather learn the instrument. I don't hate GH, per se, I just don't "get" the appeal of it. In a group setting, it's a little fun; I just can't see myself playing it alone.

The subliminal messages seem to have worked on my wife, though, so perhaps this game will get more use than I expected initially.

[jdr3]

Not everyone has the ability to afford or play a real guitar, so this is as close as many people will get.

If you can afford the game and the game system you can afford a basic guitar package, one that includes a guitar, amp, tuner, set of strings and gig bag. And if you have two arms to play the game than you have enough ability to try and play a real guitar.

I don't play Grand Theft Auto and then think I can go out and shoot people and run over hookers with my car or whatever.

Really, because I do. Usually so I don't have to pay them.

Honestly, if I've got to learn something that bears a strong resemblance to learning an instrument, I'd rather learn the instrument. I don't hate GH, per se, I just don't "get" the appeal of it. In a group setting, it's a little fun; I just can't see myself playing it alone.

The subliminal messages seem to have worked on my wife, though, so perhaps this game will get more use than I expected initially.

Ohh....and now the mighty have fallen.

[Jargo]

I've only ever played two games. the first was asteroids on an atari console and the second was tekken on the first playstation. both times i got bored after five minutes and wandered off to find something interesting to do.

I guess i feel the same about sport though. or anything that involves repetitive action. maybe that's why i don't enjoy sex......

[Antropov]

I have no delusions. I'm good at a music-based video game. I don't even know how to strum a real guitar properly nor do I have any particular desire to learn how to. I like hearing 90% of the music on GH and now I have something to do while I listen to it. Its the people who assure you that they are "learning to play guitar" and that "Hendrix is fuckin' Easy, DUDE!" that give those of us who enjoy the game a bad name.

I'm not criticizing anyone's choices. I hate RPGs, yet those seem to do fine without me.

[jjreason]

Some of the fun of it is watching other people sing/play as well - don't forget that aspect. It'll be a big hit when you're entertaining.