With the game industry’s craving for different demographics surpassing even the Big Brother housemeerts’ appetite for fame, what better way to entice new punters than the drunken Friday night tradition of karaoke?
The previous SingStar releases have all sold in the hundreds of thousands, so it almost goes without saying that Sony’s going to keep churning them out. SingStar Latvian folk tunes anyone?
Bundled with a pair of solid and expensive feeling microphones – though you can buy a version without if you’ve already got the kit from past SingStar titles – Anthems serves up a variety of pop star pap to croon along to. You’re then given a score for your efforts.
Anthems – thankfully not a collection of National Anthems – includes ‘Radio Ga Ga’ by Queen, ‘Kids In America’ by Kim Wilde, and oddly the musical travesty that is ‘Don’t Cha’ by the Pussycat Dolls – or boys if the rumours are true.
They say:
EuroGamer: “While SingStar Anthems is unquestionably a high point for the series in terms of the selection of songs, it's also a further demonstration of the fact that the SingStar concept has gone as far as it can go - or rather, as far as Sony is willing to take it - on the PS2 platform.”
Boomtown: “As a present for the experienced SingStar collector, it would stand out well, but for the value, Anthems is by far the weakest of the bunch, and I still prefer Rocks or 80s.”
We say:
The greatest post pub Friday night PS2 hit returns, but all isn’t quite as we’d hoped.
Unlike the incredible SingStar Rocks that mainly consists of top quality drunken wailing potential rock outs – and countless opportunities to whip the old air guitar out – Anthems is mostly filler.
Call us spoilsports if you like, but who on earth wants to sing along to a bit of Bananarama? [Actually, I do – Ed].
How about some Leanne Rimes? Or Steps? Is that a huge resounding ‘no, please god no’ we hear?
Anthems works just like its SingStar compatriots of course. You step up to the mic and belt out the hit while eying the on screen lyrics and guides to help you sing in tune.
At the end of a performance that Simon Cowell would be proud of, you’re rated on tone pitch, and rhythm. A Mansized tip for you – it helps if you steer clear of wailing solos that are too coarse for your finely honed manly timbre.
SingStar even lets you compete with a few pals to see who can rack up the highest scores. Who cares if you can’t quite hold that last note in ‘It’s Raining Men’ like you used to?
Enough of us carping though, there are a few classic tracks on here. Total Eclipse of the Heart offers a few musical possibilities, as does the aforementioned ‘It’s Raining Men’. After you’ve worshipped the great god of booze of course.
If you like this kind of music, fill your shiny fur lined boots. But if you prefer rocking out then plump for SingStar Rocks or the ever incredible Guitar Hero.
Like this? Try these:
SingStar Rocks! – PS2
SingStar 80’s – PS2
Guitar Hero – PS2
FORMAT REVIEWED
PS2
OTHER FORMATS
None
POSTED...
Mon 7 Aug 2006 at 8:04am
