Rescuing the Rhythm Genre? – DJ Hero 2 Review
After spending the last four years strumming down note highways with a plastic six-string, 2009’s DJ Hero offered a refreshing reprieve. Sure, the three colored buttons on the mock-turntable were recontextualized fretboard buttons, but the ability to simulate scratches, waggle the crossfader, and tweak the sample knob endowed the games with a distinctive personality. By having a soundtrack soundtrack infused with the infectious rhythms of classic hip-hop, R&B, and disco, the game also distinguished itself from the roaring riffs found in the Guitar Hero series.
One year later, developer FreeStyle Games has returned with a sequel which allows a bit more flexibility, allowing DJ Hero 2 to bridge the gap between freeform mixing and more traditional music game. With a handful of other changes, from a decidedly populist playlist to a significantly improved two-player system, the title unabashedly proclaims its stadium-sized ambitions. Smartly, the developers haven’t alienated purchasers of the original hardware. DJ Hero 2 uses the same turntable peripheral, altering its software code to adjust for the game’s improvements.
Even those familiar with the predecessor’s intricacies should trek though the game’s ‘New to DJ Hero 2‘ tutorial. Along with the requisite taps and scratches there a number of new techniques which compel mastery. Where DJ Hero had a handful of universal samples which players could awkwardly overlay on tracks, the sequel boosts song-specific riffs. Freestyle scratching allows gamers to belt out their own grooves; different cuts on the turntable now initiate distinctive sounds. Although these scratches don’t sound as seamless as the ones in the game’s mashups, they are still add a bit of flexibility to the sound mix. Likewise, certain points in mixes will allow players to freely crossfade between two songs. During the moments, there’s a hint of musical expression, rather than forcing gamers to ride down prescribed sonic tracks. While used sparingly, it’s probably DJ Hero‘s most gratifying moment, surpassing even score-boosting Euphoria runs or smartly-timed rewinds.
Less successful is the title’s vocal mode, which replaces DJ Hero‘s awkward guitar/turntable duets. While nearly every solitary track in the game’s ninety song roster is catchy enough to induce bystanders to croon along, the actual vocal sequences in a mix are so jumbled that the mode feels spastic. Sure, the title’s mashups immaculately bring two distinct songs together, but following the lyrics can be frustrating.
Beyond a Party Mode which allows drop in-and-out play for two turntablists and a vocalist, DJ Hero 2 also offers a number of compelling multiplayer competitions. Star Battle tasks participants with generating the best overall mix, while Steak challenges players to complete the longest combo succession. Both Streak and it’s variation- Accumulator allow gamers to bank their runs with a press of the euphoria button; the former permits a single bank, while the later offers players three. The title’s Empire Mode campaign shrewdly forgoes the narrative which drove the latest iteration of Guitar Hero. Wisely, the single-player game focuses on unlocking mixes for the Quick Play mode while adding innocuous battles against luminaries like Tiesto, Deadmau5, and David Guetta.
Building on the foundation laid by last year’s game, DJ Hero 2 presents several adept refinements to an already accomplished game. Like any successful rhythm title, time melts away with the game. The feeling of concurring ‘just one more mix’ was undeniably pervasive, especially when players are constantly shown a benchmark of the Xbox friend’s scores. Of all the music-driven games I’ve played this year, DJ Hero 2 ranks among the best.
Hmm, never played any of the DJ Hero games. Are they really that much different from Guitar Hero?
I’ve noticed this is getting some really high review scores. Maybe I’ll break down and get it.
right now Amazon has the Renegade Edition of the original game for $99.99 with a $50 voucher. Good deal.
Good review!
Whats in the DLC store right now? How much are song?
If I heard right the DJ Hero songs were pretty expensive.
Whats up with DJ Ken on the bottom pic?
I picked up the first one at BB’s sale. I could never get the scratches down perfectly. Any tips?
So what didn’t you like about the game beyond the vocal mode?
So Activision didn’t mess anything up with a sequel? Incredible!
I wasn’t a fan of the first game. After playing each song once, I had no interest in hearing them ever again.
Can a brother get a setlist?
I liked the first game but felt it was worth the $20 I paid for it. Same goes with this one.
Didn’t like the first DJ Hero very much. It was pretty confusing for noobs.
Coke and Pioneer product placement seems annoying.
I know it’s more about personal taste but how did you like the songlist?
* 2Pac feat. Dr. Dre and Roger Troutman – “California Love Remix”
* 50 Cent – “In Da Club”
* Adamski – “Killer”
* Afrika Bambaataa and The Soul Sonic Force – “Planet Rock”
* Armand Van Helden – “I Want Your Soul”
* A-Trak – “Say Whoa”
* B.o.B feat. Bruno Mars – “Nothin’ On You”
* Basement Jaxx – “Where’s Your Head At”
* BlakRoc feat. Pharoahe Monch & RZA – “Dollaz & Sense”
* Busta Rhymes – “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See”
* Calvin Harris – “I’m Not Alone”
* Chamillionaire – “Ridin’“
* Chic – “Good Times”
* Chic – “Le Freak”
* Clinton Sparks, DJ Class, & Jermaine Dupri – “Favorite DJ”
* Daft Punk – “Human After All”
* Damian Marley – “Welcome To Jamrock”
* David Guetta & Chris Willis – “Love Is Gone”
* David Guetta feat. Kid Cudi – “Memories”
* David Guetta vs. The Egg – “Love Don’t Let Me Go (Walking Away)”
* Deadmau5 – “Ghosts N Stuff”
* Deadmau5 & Kaskade – “I Remember”
* Deee-Lite – “Groove Is In The Heart”
* Dillinja and Skibadee – “Twist ‘Em Out”
* Dizzee Rascal & Armand Van Helden – “Bonkers”
* DJ Qbert – “Super Battle Breaks”
* DJ Shadow – “Midnight In A Perfect World”
* DJ Shadow feat. Q-Tip and Lateef The Truth Speaker – “Enuff (DJ Fresh Remix)”
* Donna Summer – “Bad Girls”
* Edwin Starr – “War”
* Eminem – “Not Afraid”
* Estelle feat. Kanye West – “American Boy”
* Flo Rida – “Low”
* Flo Rida feat. Will.I.Am – “In The Ayer”
* Gorillaz feat. Mos Def & Bobby Womack – “Stylo”
* Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five feat. Melle Mel & Duke Bootee – “The Message”
* Harold Faltermeyer – “Axel F”
* House Of Pain – “Jump Around”
* Iyaz – “Replay”
* Janet Jackson – “Nasty”
* Justice – “D.A.N.C.E.”
* Justice – “Waters Of Nazareth”
* Kanye West – “Heartless”
* Kanye West – “Love Lockdown”
* Kaskade & Deadmau5 – “Move For Me”
* Kelis – “Acapella (David Guetta Extended Mix)”
* Kool & The Gang – “Jungle Boogie”
* Lady Gaga – “Lovegame”
* Lady Gaga – “Bad Romance”
* Lady Gaga feat. Colby O’Donis – “Just Dance”
* Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz feat. Ying Yang Twins – “Get Low”
* Lil’ Wayne – “Go DJ”
* Lil’ Wayne feat. Static Major – “Lollipop”
* LL Cool J – “I Can’t Live Without My Radio”
* M.I.A. – “Galang”
* M|A|R|R|S – “Pump Up The Volume”
* Major Lazer feat. VYBZ Kartel – “Pon De Floor”
* Malcolm McLaren – “Buffalo Gals”
* Metallica – “The Day That Never Comes”
* Missy Elliott – “Get Ur Freak On”
* MSTRKRFT feat. N.O.R.E. – “Bounce”
* Nas feat. Keri Hilson – “Hero”
* Naughty By Nature – “O.P.P.”
* Nelly – “Hot In Herre”
* New Boyz – “You’re A Jerk”
* New Order – “Blue Monday”
* Newcleus – “Jam On It”
* Nightcrawlers – “Push The Feeling On (MK Mix 95)”
* Orbital – “The Box”
* Pirate Soundsystem – “Bashy Bashy”
* Pitbull – “I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)”
# Pussycat Dolls feat. Busta Rhymes – “Don’t Cha”
# Rihanna – “Pon De Replay”
# Rihanna – “Rude Boy”
# Robin S – “Show Me Love (Stonebridge Radio Edit)”
# Salt N Pepa – “Push It”
# Sam Cooke – “Chain Gang”
# Sam Sparro – “B&G” a/k/a “Black & Gold”
# Sean Paul – “Infiltrate”
# Sean Paul – “Get Busy”
# Snoop Dogg – “Who Am I (What’s My Name)?”
# Snow – “Informer”
# Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em – “Crank That (Soulja Boy)”
# Sparfunk & D-Code – “Apocalypse”
# Stevie Wonder – “Superstition”
# Talib Kweli – “Get By”
# The Chemical Brothers – “Leave Home”
# The Chemical Brothers feat. Q-Tip – “Galvanize”
# The Crystal Method – “Busy Child (Still Busy After All These Years Remix)”
# The Jackson 5 – “ABC”
# The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Mase & Diddy – “Mo’ Money, Mo’ Problems”
# The Prodigy – “Omen”
# The Prodigy – “Firestarter”
# Tiësto – “Speed Rail”
# Tiësto & Sneaky Sound System – “I Will Be Here”
# Tiësto vs Diplo – “Come On”
# Tiga – “You Gonna Want Me”
# Timbaland feat. Drake – “Say Something”
# Timbaland feat. Keri Hilson & D.O.E. – “The Way I Are”
# Tweet feat. Missy Elliott – “Oops (Oh My)”
# Walter Murphy – “A Fifth Of Beethoven”
# Warren G feat. Nate Dogg – “Regulate”
# Wayne Smith – “Under Mi Sleng Teng”
# Yeah Yeah Yeahs – “Heads Will Roll (A-Trak Remix )”
# Young Jeezy feat. Kanye West – “Put On”
Yeah for the multiplayer fix.
That’s one good setlist, but I’d like to see more Electonica. Maybe with DLC.
Good song list. This is more interesting that GH to me.
Maybe if there’s a deal on it.
Sorry, I like GH music much better than anything by Lady Gaga.
He’s spinning “Barbie Girl” over and over. duh 😉
Good selection of music. How is the quality of the turntable thing?
I couldn’t find it. Do you have a link?
I found a really helpful video. You may want to check this out if your having problems with any of the game’s fundamentals.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J15HlAdcm3g
If I was going to invest in a music game, it would be this one.
I like Estelle feat. Kanye West, but not all the way through the training mode.
I’m loving the game. Great songs, great gameplay.
I’ll wait for a price drop. Good review.
Gaga means stupid in Tagalog. Just saying.
This or RB3 with keyboards?
Last night a DJ Hero saved my life.
I couldn’t resist.
Dude, I’m having a blast with RB3. One of my favorite music games ever.
I just bought this one last night. Ended up playing with friends until 4:00 AM. A good time indeed!