Reviews Surfing - Band Hero (Wii)

Say what you want about the glut of music games like Guitar Hero or Rock Band—the genre is white hot and you know it. This is why Activision is striking continuously riding while the wave is at its zenith. One of the top publisher’s latest outings is Band Hero, which is actually a spin-off of Guitar Hero. So what’s the difference between Band Hero and Guitar Hero? Band Hero veers away from the focus on lead guitars, and is replaced by kid-friendly tunes. What do the critics think of the Wii version? See the reviews after the jump.

VideoGamer: (70%) “Band Hero is strikingly close to Activision’s former release; it’s a game that comes across more as GH with a different musical focus, rather than as a new IP in its own right. Band Hero is far from being a bad game, but somewhere along the line it seems the new franchise’s focus became a little confused.”

IGN: (83%) “Band Hero is an impressive game, but it does take a hit for not feeling that unique because this is really just Guitar Hero 5 with a pink/purple motif. In the end, this is one of the examples people will point to when they talk about Activision milking the Guitar Hero franchise for all it’s worth – even though this time the milk is quenching the thirst of every Taylor Swift fan out there with a plastic guitar.”

Digital Chumps: (78%) “So, all things considered, if you’re in the market for a pop-centric concert simulation music game targeted at young teens or families looking to jam, Band Hero is your current best option. It isn’t perfect, and it certainly isn’t revolutionary, but it is the first and only fully-featured fusion of the popular formula with the top 40 format.”

The main selling point of Band Hero is its kid-friendly pop focus. If you or the children in your household are into Hilary Duff, Taylor Swift, Maroon 5, or the Spice Girls, then Band Hero might just be what you’ll be getting this holiday season. If you’re looking for a heavier playlist, then you might want to look someplace else.

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