713th played so far
Genre: Music
Platform: Playstation 2
Year of Release: 2001
Developer: Koei/iNis
Publisher: Koei/THQ
Gitaroo Man is a rhythm game that, from its cover, I always peg as a bit of a RPG game. What the cover doesn’t look like is how the game seems to be pegged – one where you become a guitar based superhero who has to fight off invaders by playing awesome tunes. I can do that, right?
Our Thoughts
I mean, it’s a different, slightly more original story for a rhythm game, comparable to the likes of Elite Beat Agents, here saving the world from invading demons and angels using amazing guitar skills. It’s cute, and although the animations repeat plenty in th elevels, at least you’re kept busy enough that you don’t notice as a player. The cartoony graphics also transfer to the characters, and you have the assistance of some incredibly cute musicians to fill your band. It’s fun to play and look at.
However, I found out that I could never be a guitar-wielding superhero. I’m bad at these rhythm games and this one feels unforgiving in places. Rather than just relying on specific button presses – something that happens in some sections, but not all – you need to follow the trajectory of a line with a thumbstick while pressing a button for parts of it. There’s some leeway in the shape of the cone that needs to track the line, but I’m still not fast enough.
I do prefer the latter mode. It has a bit more flexibility and makes it about picking a single direction and pressing a button, not getting confused about which buttons I’m pressing at which time. My joystick skills aren’t good enough for it the whole time, but it’s an innovation I do prefer over other games of the genre.
Final Thoughts
Gitaroo Man is well crafted, looking like a nice cartoon which some fun characters. Its story is fairly simple, but it is presented really nicely and makes for something more than a band… or helping people with their problems through dance. The gameplay works well, the line being a decent twist even if I wasn’t great at it, and it feels like it offers something new compared to the past.