GH3 Impressions/early sightings

[Chaz]

No, I don't have it yet.  I checked the place that sold me GH2 early last year, and they seem to have gotten their acts together with release dates, so no dice.

Anyone got it? Where? What do you think of it?

[shaggydoug]

Is 10/28 the release date or the ship date?

- shaggy

[coopasonic]

Is 10/28 the release date or the ship date?

- shaggy

This is a title I expect to be pre-shipped and 10/28 is a street date. Nobody ships on Sunday.

[denoginizer]

When GH2 came out alot of people got it early at Circuit City (myself included.)

[Chaz]

It's definitely arriving now.  Best Buy had a mountain of big shipping boxes marked Red Octane, so it's in back rooms.

[shaggydoug]

It's definitely arriving now.  Best Buy had a mountain of big shipping boxes marked Red Octane, so it's in back rooms.

Anyone check their local Sears yet or is this an isolated incident or a viral marketing ploy?

[leo8877]

It's definitely arriving now.  Best Buy had a mountain of big shipping boxes marked Red Octane, so it's in back rooms.

Anyone check their local Sears yet or is this an isolated incident or a viral marketing ploy?

I just went to the Sears by work and they don't even carry video games.

[Autistic Angel]

My local Best Buy had a big sign out advertising a midnight opening for Guitar Hero III sales starting this Sunday morning (or, for the less technically minded, late Saturday night).

-Autistic Angel

[Bullwinkle]

I'm hoping we'll see reviews today.  I'm not as confident in this one because of the developer switch.

[Sparhawk]

I'm hoping we'll see reviews today.  I'm not as confident in this one because of the developer switch.

Have you tried the demo on Xbox live yet?

[Bullwinkle]

I'm hoping we'll see reviews today.  I'm not as confident in this one because of the developer switch.

Have you tried the demo on Xbox live yet?

I did, but I'm curious to see how the changes made affect the overall experience.  Also, the demo doesn't give me an idea of what the long haul for the game will be like.

[Roscoe]

I'm hoping we'll see reviews today.  I'm not as confident in this one because of the developer switch.

Have you tried the demo on Xbox live yet?

I tried the GH3 demo, first GH game I've ever tried, and honestly I don't see the attraction. Basically it's the button pushing dance I hated in GTA San Andreas, but with rock tunes. I can't be the only one who thinks this... or am I?

[spigot]

I'm hoping we'll see reviews today.  I'm not as confident in this one because of the developer switch.

Have you tried the demo on Xbox live yet?

I tried the GH3 demo, first GH game I've ever tried, and honestly I don't see the attraction. Basically it's the button pushing dance I hated in GTA San Andreas, but with rock tunes. I can't be the only one who thinks this... or am I?

Seeing as though this is the first GH game you've ever tried and playing with the guitar controller is really the only way to play the game, I'd say yes.

[KePoW]

I'm hoping we'll see reviews today.  I'm not as confident in this one because of the developer switch.

Have you tried the demo on Xbox live yet?

I tried the GH3 demo, first GH game I've ever tried, and honestly I don't see the attraction. Basically it's the button pushing dance I hated in GTA San Andreas, but with rock tunes. I can't be the only one who thinks this... or am I?

so did you play with just the regular 360 gamepad?  if so, then your opinion really isn't valid, sorry to say

[Roscoe]

I'm hoping we'll see reviews today.  I'm not as confident in this one because of the developer switch.

Have you tried the demo on Xbox live yet?

I tried the GH3 demo, first GH game I've ever tried, and honestly I don't see the attraction. Basically it's the button pushing dance I hated in GTA San Andreas, but with rock tunes. I can't be the only one who thinks this... or am I?

so did you play with just the regular 360 gamepad?  if so, then your opinion really isn't valid, sorry to say

I recognize that with the guitar it would be easier, that's not my point. My point is that, like the GTASA dance challenge, the game appears to consist of hitting buttons as specified by the scrolling graphics on the screen, with a few nuances like the whammy bar and tilting the guitar. That's it, as far as I can tell. Is there more to the gameplay than that?

[shaggydoug]

I'm hoping we'll see reviews today.  I'm not as confident in this one because of the developer switch.

Have you tried the demo on Xbox live yet?

I tried the GH3 demo, first GH game I've ever tried, and honestly I don't see the attraction. Basically it's the button pushing dance I hated in GTA San Andreas, but with rock tunes. I can't be the only one who thinks this... or am I?

so did you play with just the regular 360 gamepad?  if so, then your opinion really isn't valid, sorry to say

I recognize that with the guitar it would be easier, that's not my point. My point is that, like the GTASA dance challenge, the game appears to consist of hitting buttons as specified by the scrolling graphics on the screen, with a few nuances like the whammy bar and tilting the guitar. That's it, as far as I can tell. Is there more to the gameplay than that?

Whatever the buttons match to on the controller.....Use only your thumb or 1 finger for the strum action....use 4 fingers on the other hand for all the frets.     Then see what it is.   Not necessarily easier.  It's more about how it feels to use the fake guitar.   We're all wannabees.

- shaggy 

[th'FOOL]

I'm hoping we'll see reviews today.  I'm not as confident in this one because of the developer switch.

Have you tried the demo on Xbox live yet?

I tried the GH3 demo, first GH game I've ever tried, and honestly I don't see the attraction. Basically it's the button pushing dance I hated in GTA San Andreas, but with rock tunes. I can't be the only one who thinks this... or am I?

so did you play with just the regular 360 gamepad?  if so, then your opinion really isn't valid, sorry to say

I recognize that with the guitar it would be easier, that's not my point. My point is that, like the GTASA dance challenge, the game appears to consist of hitting buttons as specified by the scrolling graphics on the screen, with a few nuances like the whammy bar and tilting the guitar. That's it, as far as I can tell. Is there more to the gameplay than that?

No, with the guitar it is a completely different game.  With the guitar, you hold down fret buttons while strumming, which is considerably different.  Sometimes, interface is the game.

[Autistic Angel]

th'FOOL is dead on here: the guitar controller is an integral part of the Guitar Hero experience.  I know it sounds like a gimmick because I used to think the same thing, but once you try it for yourself, you'll understand how it really does *define* the game.

You could probably learn to play a lightgun game like Time Crisis or a physical game like Dance Dance Revolution using a regular controller, but it's really missing the whole point.

-Autistic Angel

[JCC]

You're right in that Guitar Hero is basically Dance Dance Revolution minus the exercise, with a much cooler controller and "better" music. But, that controller makes for a world of difference. I still think they charge too much for the controller (which has kept me from ever buying it.... for now) but it really is a super fun game. Of course I think DDR is pretty fun too (especially when mixed with liquor)!

I reckon plenty of GTers are heading towards their shops now to pick it up. Hope all of you have fun with it tonight!

[jersoc]

I'm hoping we'll see reviews today.  I'm not as confident in this one because of the developer switch.

Have you tried the demo on Xbox live yet?

I tried the GH3 demo, first GH game I've ever tried, and honestly I don't see the attraction. Basically it's the button pushing dance I hated in GTA San Andreas, but with rock tunes. I can't be the only one who thinks this... or am I?

so did you play with just the regular 360 gamepad?  if so, then your opinion really isn't valid, sorry to say

I recognize that with the guitar it would be easier, that's not my point. My point is that, like the GTASA dance challenge, the game appears to consist of hitting buttons as specified by the scrolling graphics on the screen, with a few nuances like the whammy bar and tilting the guitar. That's it, as far as I can tell. Is there more to the gameplay than that?

HAHAH, are you seriously comparing this to a mini game in GTA? Wow. First off, the point of the game is to feel like you're playing a guitar. For people like me who don't want to learn to play the real thing, this is great. Second it's a shit ton more challenging than simply "hitting buttons on a screen". Good job of breaking any game down to it's most basic form. ANY GAME. I'd like to see you play BaTH on expert using a controller, let alone the guitar controller. I'm willingly to bet 100 bucks you can't do it. Hell, i'll go lower and say Carry on my wayward son on expert. I mean, surely it's going to be easy for you, right? Just hit buttons as they appear. Just let me know, cause I could use the 100 bucks.
A nuance of hitting a whammy and tilting a the guitar controller? Oh yeah, that sure does get in the way of playing the guitar immersion 

Seriously, you haven't even played the game. The real game. I understand gh isn't for everyone, but seriously. Your comparisons are just uneducated and absurd, at best.

[EngineNo9]

jersoc, I don't think he was attacking how easy the game is, just the apparent simplicity of it's gameplay and similarity to other rhythm games. 

[Reemul]

jersoc, I don't think he was attacking how easy the game is, just the apparent simplicity of it's gameplay and similarity to other rhythm games. 

True but he's way off base either way. The controller is the game really, this game and all the other versions would never have sold well if you had to use a normal controller.

[Roscoe]

th'FOOL is dead on here: the guitar controller is an integral part of the Guitar Hero experience.  I know it sounds like a gimmick because I used to think the same thing, but once you try it for yourself, you'll understand how it really does *define* the game.

You could probably learn to play a lightgun game like Time Crisis or a physical game like Dance Dance Revolution using a regular controller, but it's really missing the whole point.

-Autistic Angel

Thanks to you and the several others for the explanations. I'll try to drop by my local Gamestop and see if they have a demo guitar hooked up and give it a try.

jersoc, whew, it's just a game dude. I'm trying to get educated and that's why I was asking questions. I never said it would be easy for me. Heck, the GTASA button dance was a killer for me, that's why I was trying to find out what else was involved.

[Devil]

Grabbed the 360 version last night and played a few songs.

The guitar might be better, but its also different. Not enough that you would think it would be a problem, but it was at first.

A few songs and you'll be back on track!

Other than that, I'll let some others chime in.