Product Description

Gitaroo Man is an entirely new type of music rhythm game, in which your instrument is actually your weapon in the fight against evil. Unlike traditional music games that simply require the player to press buttons in rhythm with onscreen actions, Gitaroo Man makes players use both the analog stick and controller buttons at the same time, thus manipulating the onscreen characters with jumps, ducks, and attacks.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9080 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: THQ
• Released on: 2002-06-21
• Rating: To Be Announced
• Platform: PlayStation2

Amazon.co.uk Review
Gitaroo Man is the latest addition to the Bemani (Beatmania) genre. Taking on the role of the implausibly named U-1, you discover, via your talking dog, of course, that you are the last Gitaroo Man and thus are destined to save your planet from the evil Gravillian family armed with a Gitaroo, which is essentially a musical instrument (in your case a guitar) doubling as a weapon.

Each level consists of you battling a member of the Gravillian family and is split into Charge, Attack and Guard sections. Attacking and charging involves rotating the analog stick while well-timed button presses charge your energy bar or attack your opponent. Guard mode is frenetic as symbols fly towards the middle of the screen while you press the appropriate button to avoid taking damage. The action can switch from attack to guard in a split second, which ensures chaotic gameplay. Each levels uses one or all of these modes in differing order, which shakes up the often rigid routes that Bemani games can take.

The graphics have a pleasing colourful Japanese cartoon style but the constant background action can sometimes obscure vital onscreen info. Crucially, the music doesn't grate on repeated plays and the interaction between your button bashing and the guitar works really well. Gitaroo Man benefits from the rethink of the usual control methods (and the overactive imagination that thought up the bizarre characters & locations). This probably won't convert non-Bemani fans but those who are into rhythm games will love it.--Jonathan Winter

Customer Reviews

Any None-Believers Out There??
Now I know what your thinking, just another parappa the rapper spinoff an nothin more, but hush your mouth, and stop right there, because this game is in a league of it's own. it truly is a classic piece of gameplaying history.

This game is absoloutely stonking, and no matter how much I say it will not do justice to this game. The visuals are impressive, with cut-scenes of impeccable quality and clever little life lessons nestled into them. The actual game itself is also of this superior quality, with people who watch it even being amused and impressed.

But, of course, no rhythm-genre game would be any good if it didn't have good music to back it up, and this, my friends, is where the game really starts to shine. every song is different yet all feel like they are your favourite type of music. There's techno, classical, metal and a heaped serving of good old-fashioned rock. yes, the words are in japanese, but i guarantee after a few days you will be trying your best to sing the words, and will look quite silly in doing so. If music is the food of love, then this game is a five-course banquet of the heart

And we haven't even talked about multiplayer, Oh the joy!! Many a lost night have been spent with friends furiously laying down hot riffs and immersing ourselves in the music.

All in all, every ps2 fan I have met that was unsure or just didn't like this game by the looks of it I have turned, by the simplicity of a trumpet-playing, platform-wearing, afro-headed disco bee. and if a game company can manage to fit a character named 'Mojo King Bee' into the storyline, you know there onto a winner. Buy it now, your ears won't put up without it for much longer

It's Gitaroo-tastic!
Although this game has very little story that makes sense, it's amazing how addictive the gameplay is. It is also one of the hardest games ever! I still haven't completed the games master difficulty but saying that the game is well worth it. With a crazy japanese colour scheme and amazing music to play to, this is one of those few games that doesn't leave you asking for more. Instead it gives you an immense sense of acheivement and is one of my favourite games ever.

A truly outstanding game of button-mashing mayhem!
Don't be fooled by it's cartoony exterior, this game is not just for kids! I finally convinced myself to buy this game after spending hours on the 'Flying-O' techno-style demo, and boy am I glad I did.

Once you've got used to the slightly difficult controls you're in for a treat. The game compromises of every genre of music you can imagine; rap, techno, rock, slow jam, drum n' bass etc. and every style is fitted perfectly into each level, so much so that it's hard to pick a favourite.

Once you've beaten the likes of Modjo King Bee and Gregorio III and you think you've finished the game, trust me you haven't. You then unlock a 'Master's Mode' and believe me it's hard but not in a frustrating way, in a 'I'll just have one more go' way and you can say goodbye to another couple of hours.

The game is rewarding in the way that the better you play the better the music sounds and the more likely you are to advance. So go on, give it a try you won't be disappointed!