DJ Hero: 9/10

The lights are dim. The television volume is on the maximum. There is a smell of alcohol in the air. The glow sticks are scattered all over the ground. Yep, DJ Hero is ready to be played. DJ Hero is not only a fantastic music game (Like I had predicted back in late 2008, when the rumors started), it’s also one of the better gaming experiences in the last five years. Not only that, but it contains some of the best music ever produced for a video game in the entire history of the industry. If you thought Guitar Hero or Rock Band had a slew of good music, you have not listened to the setlist in DJ Hero. With over 90 mixes (and most of them incredible) and a crazy difficulty curve, this game will have your attention for a very long time.


The premise is easy-sounding on paper, and extremely tough on execution. You are in charge of pressing three buttons, scratching the record when ordered to, and also switching the audio track with a crossfader. In general: you are in charge of the crossfader, the tuner, and performing the Guitar Hero-like button functions. Multi-tasking isn’t even an option; it’s a requirement, so adjusting your brain to this style of play may take a bit. Nintendo Wii owners I am sure will take less time for adjusting than other owners simply because of its already-physically-demanding style of play.


Unlike Guitar Hero’s rather rugged and dirty art style, DJ Hero’s art style totally matches the mood and setting of the game. Part of the fun of DJ Hero is actually witnessing someone else playing, because you get to see the hyper camera work throughout the song----especially on some of the tougher tracks. The stages themselves are more fun to watch than the usually-bland arenas of Guitar Hero, and the audience (and overall ambience) just flows better with the music being played. The DJs being featured in the game do look like their real world counterparts, even if some elements are a little exaggerated.


DJ Hero runs at a smooth framerate, which is a requirement because the playcontrol is quite challenging; as if the game isn’t enough of a chore to begin with. The game is like Guitar Hero in terms of being simple to learn, and tough to master. Easy Mode in the game limits you to just scratching. I actually recommend you jump straight to medium, as it’s not only fun but a nice first step. The crossfader is the element of the game garnishing the most controversy. The crossfader is my only gripe of the controls, since it’s a little confusing to figure out, and it’s a very sensitive piece of hardware. The sensitivity will lead to many unwanted mistakes and tough close calls (especially in expert mode). The rest of the turntable is simple to maneuver through.


The absolute, absolute, absolute best part of this game is the soundtrack. After some careful deliberation, I can safely declare this game as containing one of the 5 best soundtracks in the history of gaming. The mixes are far and above better than any mix I have heard in any dance club in the United States. The European DJs absolutely blow away the American DJs—even when the American DJs featured in DJ Hero (Jazzy Jeff, Grandmaster Flash, DJ AM, etc.) did a fantastic job. The Scratch Perverts and Daft Punk almost steal the entire show by producing the most talented and energetic mixes in the game and some of the best dance music in the last 25 years. Some of this sound like exaggeration but keep in mind: I usually don’t even like remixes.


90+ remixes will keep you entertained and dancing. Some of the mixes were obviously going to exist (Eminem vs. Jay-Z) while other mixes came totally out of left field (Gwen Stefani and Rick James? Daft Punk vs. Queen). Literally, the only incredible DJ they were missing was Fatboy Slim, which has been unusually quiet lately. The soundtrack contains so much variety; there shouldn’t be any complaints from a single soul about the music. Absolutely not allowed.


This game is definitely tougher than Guitar Hero, I promise you this. If you think guitar playing is tough on the expert difficulty, try switching audio tracks while scratching and pressing buttons all at the same time. Expert mode is a test of your patience and willpower. Some specific songs are absolutely brutal and require for you to rest upon completion (Scratch Perverts, I am looking at you). The interesting thing about the game however is its lack of a Game Over feature. If you are getting destroyed by a song, you still don’t fail it, the track continues. However, you need good star ratings to progress further and find more songs to play. Trust me, with the soundtrack; you’ll want to become an expert to hear the next amazing mix.


Bottom Line: DJ Hero is impressive overall, in terms of visuals, presentation, musical value, and overall execution. While the game suffers a little from its sensitive crossfader, inability to fail, extremely frustrating challenge on some songs, these are all problems that can easily be fixed when the rumored sequel rolls around. Despite the few setbacks, it’s an extremely strong first effort from FreeStyle Games and hopefully will lead to a big and successful franchise that can throw talented DJs into the mainstream much like Guitar Hero re-entered bands into the spotlight. As long as you have the smallest thirst to become a DJ or have a thirst for a unique type of gaming, then look no further.






If anything, at least listen to the soundtrack. You can thank me later.