DJ HERO

Session at home

Texto: Noel Ceballos

THE MAKERS OF THE GUITAR HERO SAGA EXPAND THEIR MUSIC VIDEO GAME CATALOGUE WITH THIS SUPERB TURNTABLE SIMULATOR. YOU CAN’T CALL IT A SUCCESSFUL GAME UNTIL THE NEIGHBORS CALL THE COPS!

We are living in a golden age of music video games, so one have to witness some peculiar things. It’s been nearly a month since the Fav Four faced Johnny Cash (among others) at the best-seller lists –we are talking Rock Band Beatles vs. Guitar Hero 5–, and now we have another game willing to rule your flat parties from here to 2010. DJ Hero represents Activision’s new attempt to consolidate its position before Rock Band’s menace. It is also a new entrance in the DJ simulator canon, probably leaded by Beatmania. The game includes a peripheral turntable controler with the classic color buttons, which should tell you something about Activision’s wish that this title will be considered as an accesorie to its profitable guitar saga.

DJ Hero’s gameplay does not seem to present any difficulties from players hardened in the press button/hear beat thing. The only major innovation is a scratching section present in every song. Guitar Hero‘s popular Star Power is replace here by an Euphoria mode, but the goal (to increase your points while you stay high) is the same. Finally, skilful DJs can access a Rewind mode, which allows them to go back in a song and fix mistakes in exchange for some points.

The game’s real secret weapon is, of course, the soundtrack. Activision has sign up superstars such as DJ Shadow or Daft Punk, so the song selection is as compelling as one would assume. DJ Hero will challenge us to mix two songs of opposed styles: some of the confirmed mixes are Little Richard + Shlomo, Beastie Boys + Foo Fighters o Tears for Fears + Eric Prydz. If that is not something, electronic guru Paul Oakenfold has already played the game, and stated he loves it. So now you know: if DJ Hero is cool enough for Oakenfold, it sure is cool enough for you.

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DJ Hero is avalible October 27 for PS3, Xbox 360, Wii and PS2