Thanks for checking us out today! Today’s the day we reveal our Number 2 spots in our 2009 Game of the Year Countdown. Make sure to read our other GOTY picks, and check back tomorrow for the big reveal of our Number 1 Game of 2009!

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Posted via web from Northwest Gamer

Years ago I remember sitting around with friends discussing which band, song or album would work perfectly in a rhythm game.  The legends of classic rock, were the source of much discussion, and Van Halen, along with Eric Clapton, ACDC, the Beatles, Queen and others seemed like a logical fit in Guitar Hero.

Though some great bands over the years have certainly been featured in rhythm games of some sort, few have been given a full game treatment. Unfortunately, the approach Activision has taken to these band-devoted games has been a little disappointing. Typically half of the songs in them are from the featured band, while the rest are a ragtag mix of artists who inspired or were inspired by the band. This half-and-half strategy just comes off as cheap on the developer’s part, as if loudly announcing that either they couldn’t get the rights to the rest of the songs, or the band they chose simply doesn’t have enough hits to begin with.

So you can imagine my skepticism going into Guitar Hero: Van Halen. I received an advance copy of the game with the Guitar Hero 5 promotion, months ahead of its official release this December. The Van Halen aspect of GH:VH is spot on: all the songs you’d expect are in the game, and all are generally a blast to play (Sorry Sammy Hagar fans, there is no love for you in GH:VH). Yet it’s the strength of GH:VH that make its weaknesses so much more pronounced. Read the full story

The influence of the Beatles’ music is undeniable, and any project involving them is sure to be heavily scrutinized by fans and critics alike. Chances are, your decision to purchase the Beatles Rock Band is dependent less on gameplay and features than your general love or hatred for the fab four. So I’ll spare you the long winded review,  and just say that if you appreciate the lads from Liverpool in any capacity (and you should), you will love the Beatles Rock Band. Read the full story