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Guitar Hero is a rhythm video game, much like Dance Dance Revolution (DDR). However, instead of the dance pad used for DDR, Guitar Hero is played with a guitar-shaped peripheral as its primary controller.

The game consists of a player attempting to strike the buttons at the end of the guitar as the notes run through the corresponding colored circle on the screen. Both the colored button and the fret bar must be hit to obtain points and create the illusion of a person actually playing the guitar. When the player hits the correct notes of a particular series, “star power” is obtained and allows the player to receive more points for the notes they correctly play.

An ordinary PlayStation 2 or Xbox controller can be used to direct the game, but it would undoubtedly take all of the fun out of it. With the faux-guitar controller, players are allowed to actually rock out in full effect by tilting the guitar back and heaving it forward to release their “star power.”

Because Guitar Hero was such a success, RedOctane just released Guitar Hero 2. "I love Guitar Hero 2," said first-year Melanie Galloway. "It includes a lot more metal songs and artists like Lamb of God, All That Remains and Every Time I Die. The first one was mainly classic rock."

However, the song selection is not the only thing that differs in the second version of the game. "I hated multiplayer in [the original] Guitar Hero because each person didn’t play through the entire song, instead the players switched off; each playing about a phrase or so and then waiting for the other to finish," said Galloway. "In Guitar Hero 2, you play through the entire song on multiplayer, plus each person can choose which level they want to play."

Guitar Hero, in general, is a trend that has certainly grown in popularity among Hamline students. “I haven’t played Guitar Hero 2, but I love Guitar Hero a lot,” said first-year Schilling resident Kel Cveykus. “It is super addicting. Once you start it you can’t stop because you want to get better. Plus, you feel dumb for only being able to play ‘I Love Rock N Roll’ on easy and it kind of makes you feel accomplished when you beat it!”

Walking into a party, or even near someone else's dorm room, it’s not uncommon for one to hear the sweet sounds of Guitar Hero. With its unmistakable track list, students migrate toward the game when they hear their favorite tunes blaring, making Guitar Hero an excellent way to meet new people.

Feeling curious enough to give it a try? The Heights Hall Council will be hosting a Guitar Hero/Dance Dance Revolution party in the Schilling Hall Lounge tonight at 7 pm. Everyone is invited, so bring your friends and rock out!