Dez Loreen
Northern News Services
Published Monday, September 3, 2007

INUVIK - The hit game Guitar Hero 2 is teaching rhythm to gaming fans in Inuvik.

The game's guitar-shaped controller may be stringless and smaller than a real guitar, but some players say the game is a fun way to emulate the experience of playing a real six-string.

Fred Alunik has been a guitar player for more than 10 years. He recently picked up the video game Guitar Hero 2, where the gamer plays along to pre-recorded tracks. Alunik said the game is fun and addictive. - Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

Fred Alunik has been strumming for more than 10 years and has played his share of video games.

"This is an excellent game to play," said Alunik.

"Guitar Hero 2 is fun and you get to listen to a lot of good music."

Most of the songs in the game are covered by other bands. That can be a bit disappointing to some fans.

Alunik started playing the game a month ago and said he enjoyed the experience.

"The strum bar on the controller is cool, and there is a whammy bar as well," he said.

The songs are structured to play as notes fly down the screen at you. Holding down the fret button and strumming the bar will activate a tone.

Matching up your timing with the notes is the key to success in the game.

Alunik said he was happy and surprised to see the selection of songs that are offered with the bundle.

"A couple of the songs surprised me," said Alunik.

Alunik said that he read some reviews for the game online and that people weren't happy with the connection between the game and really playing the instrument.

"I see a connection," said Alunik.

"You have to keep the beat of the song and strum, which teaches rhythm."

For Alunik, the song list is not complete until a few of his choice bands are included in the mix.

"I would have liked to see some Metallica," said Alunik.

Another real-instrument riffer, C.J. Haogak, said he recently bought the game.

"It's all right, it reminded me of Dance Dance revolution," said Haogak.

For Haogak, the experience is more like playing a game and not really strumming along with a guitar.

"It's different, but I guess it does teach rhythm," he said.

"I'm really addicted to playing the game."

Haogak has been playing the real instrument for the last two and half years. He said he plays Guitar Hero 2 with a friend who also plays the real deal.

"I started playing the game and beat it on medium difficulty in only two days," he said.

Haogak said the best and most enjoyable part of the game is being able to rock out to music he enjoys.

"It's all about having fun and listening to some good music," said Haogak.

The game is now in stores across Inuvik, for both the Playstation 2 and Xbox 360.

The third instalment in the series is due for release this November, with an updated song list.

For now, if you have a connection to Xbox live, you can download a few extra song packs.

"I haven't downloaded any new songs, I think they suck," said Haogak.