"Guitar Praise" brings Christian rock to rhythm games
Sunday, November 2, 2008 at 09:26PM Digital Praise is back with a Guitar Hero clone called "Guitar Praise". For those who don't know, Guitar Hero really kick-started the rhythm game genre by allowing players to strum along with big rock and roll hits using a guitar-like peripheral. Digital Praise is known for producing several Christian games but the big recent release was "Dance Praise", a Dance Dance Revolution clone featuring Christian pop, hip-hop and rock hits by artists like TobyMac, BarlowGirl, Audio Adrenaline, DJ Maj and Paul Wright. They've since followed it up with Dance Praise 2 which features an Exercise mode, new dance moves, a super-easy level for young kids and more.
Guitar Praise brings this expertise they've built up to a guitar! It's been reviewed by Tracy John over at MTV multiplayer and 9mmPreacher (Drew Koehler) at Hardcore Christian Gamer.
The game features 4 difficulties - Easy, Medium, Hard and Expert. There's also a no-fail mode so new players can finish songs even if they are messing up. You can also duel with another player if you buy another guitar controller.
The notes move by on the left side of the screen while lyrics to the song appear on the right. This helps hammer home that these songs are based on Biblical truths and others in the room could certainly sing along. (makes me wonder if Guitar Praise 2 will feature at least a microphone). Just like in other similar games, a meter fills as you keep a string of notes going and when full you tilt the guitar to activate bonus points.
Tracy John had this to say about the guitar itself:
“Holding the “Guitar Praise” guitar, it feels pretty comfortable and solid, but when you hit the fret buttons, the “clacking” sound from hitting them is noticeably louder than the other versions; the strummer also feels a little looser than others I’ve played.”
Drew Koehler says this is a must-own for youth groups and:
“It truly is refreshing to play guitar to positive uplifting music and parents should be fast on the ball to buy this game. The game requirements for the PC are also pretty minimal so you shouldn’t have much problem setting it up on your computer.”
Guitar Praise is available now for Mac and Windows PC for $99.95 with one wireless guitar and 50 songs, some of which must be unlocked. A second guitar can be purchased for $69.95.