After much waiting, and spending way too much money on it, I finally have Guitar Hero II. I kept putting off getting it for the PS2, in hopes that an Xbox 360 version would be better, and finally it’s here. Last night I played it for hours, and had a great time. Hit the jump for some more opinions…

First of all, the Xbox 360 version includes all 60+ tracks of the PS2 version, and adds 10 more tracks (some by original artists), the ability to add downloadable content, HD graphics, online leaderboards, and a new guitar controller. Despite taking a step backward with a wired guitar controller (still annoyed by this), I really love the X-Plorer style. Aside from some people having trouble with the wammy bar, it is solid and well-built. It even has a port for yet-to-be-released effects pedals, which will either be released for Guitar Hero, or even could be for Rock Band.

Now I know a lot of people out there think the idea for Guitar Hero is extremely stupid, grossly overrated, or merely mildly entertaining. That’s fine. No games will please everyone. But I have heard some pretty harsh close-minded critiques about it. Regardless of your reason, I really think this game should be played a few times before you pass judgment. I am a big fan of rhythm games, and was originally hooked by games like Donkey Konga and Taiko Drum Master. But Guitar Hero represents a lot more than simply hitting a drum at the right time. There is a certain savage mysticism to Rock n’ Roll that is perfectly conveyed by this game. I initially just got the game because of the fun I had with other rhythm games, but after playing through a few songs, and getting the hang of the controls, I was able to let loose.

This is going to sound extremely silly, but the game Guitar Hero is about becoming exactly that. Once you get the controls down, and you’re comfortable with the interface, you become an axe-welding Rock God. A destroyer of civilizations. A being who exists merely to melt the faces off of others with his God-like guitar thrashing. You are a Guitar Hero. Like I said, silly. But, this is what video games are all about. A video game lets you become and do something you are not. You can be a wise old wizard, or a super-hero, or Peyton Manning. Its inherent interactivity provides a greater vehicle for escape. So Guitar Hero lets you become Jimi Hendrix, Ozzy Osbourne, Robert Plant, or whoever you want to be. And you are entertaining the masses with your sick guitar skills. This essentially is what Guitar Hero has been able to do that no other rhythm game has been able to do. While banging around on bongos can be fun, generally the player is not imagining himself as a professional bongo player.

Basically, that’s just what I’ve gathered from playing alone. If only I could talk a friend into getting this game so we could play some co-op. Wait, how much is another guitar controller again?