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SingStar Queen Review

Graphics:
7.5
Gameplay:
8.4
Sound:
9.0
Control:
0.0
Replay Value:
8.0
Overall Rating:
8.0
Online Gameplay:
Not Rated
Publisher:
SCE
Developer:
SCEE London Studio
Number Of Players:
1-2
Genre:
Music
Release Date:
August 4th, 2009


When Sony's E3 2009 press conference opened up with Queen's "One Vision", I knew that it was a nod to their upcoming SingStar Queen game (which has been available overseas for months now). The song itself was actually a fitting choice for Sony and the PlayStation brand, minus the whole "one man" part. Regardless, hearing "One Vision" played at the conference set off a spark in me, as I found myself really wanting to play SingStar Queen and growing envious of our friends overseas who have had their game for a while. That day has arrived, and SingStar Queen is finally here.

What sets this Queen game apart from all of the other SingStar titles in the past is the sheer level of complexity behind every vocal performance of a Queen song. There's no doubt about it that this is the most difficult SingStar game to be released, and that's to be expected when you're talking about a band with melodies that thrived on the massively dynamic abilities of Freddie Mercury and the band's unison operatic choiring. I will say that I did find some issues with how the vocals were picked out for some of the songs. In other words, in some songs you'll sing parts that are less relevant despite something more relevant being sang.

For example, vocals that are more background material are sometimes used for player-one to sing in some of the songs. The last minute or so of "Somebody to Love" is a clear example where the game completely overlooks Mercury and has you concentrate on singing the backing chorus until the very end. I figured perhaps this is something that is fixed when playing with another singer, but it isn't. And of course, if you know "Somebody to Love" then you should know about the little bits Mercury delivers while the chorus curtains the song. There are numerous of these little quibbles from a few other songs, and I'd say they're pretty odd oversights.

Now, I do this in all of the SingStar reviews, and this one is no different…If you're not familiar with SingStar, here's quick crash course. The series uses a very clean user interface, one that even a five year old can navigate. But new to this interface for SingStar Queen is optional voice control, so you can make your selections using your microphone as a controller. Gameplay allows for a practice session, or play for points and attempt to score the best record. Because, karaoking is an activity that you don't normally do alone, feel free to call over another seven friends and compete in an eight-player activity. If you're wondering how SingStar games work, the game's superb voice recognition system will measure the tone and pitch of your voice, and instantly display your performance on the screen, as the vocal bars scroll along.

The object is to fill the bars on screen with accuracy by singing as accurately as possible. If you go flat, you'll get color below the bar; likewise, if you go sharp, you'll get color above the bar. It's a very intuitive system, and figuring out how it works doesn't take any longer than 10 seconds. Going on what the European version has, SingStar Queen boasts a collection of 25 tracks from a wide assortment of Queen's work, 20 for the PS2 version.

Below is the list of songs currently found in the European version. The asterisk denotes a PS3 exclusive song:

A Kind of Magic*
Another One Bites the Dust
Bicycle Race
Bohemian Rhapsody
Breakthru
Crazy Little Thing Called Love
Don't Stop Me Now
Fat Bottom Girls
Hammer to Fall*
I Want It All
I Want to Break Free
Innuendo
Killer Queen*
One Vision
Play the Game
Radio Ga Ga*
Somebody to Love
The Show Must Go On*
These Are the Days of Our Lives
Tie Your Mother Down
Under Pressure
We are the Champions
We Will Rock You
Who Wants to Live Forever
You’re My Best Friend

As you can see, the five songs from the PlayStation 3 version are extremely important, so you're probably much better off with the PS3 game if you're debating on saving $10 between versions. "Killer Queen" and especially Mercury's final hurrah "The Show Must Go On" simply cannot be missed. And of course, when you're singing along to every song, a music video for that song will roll in the background, so you're getting 25 music videos, as well. But just one note, the music video to "The Show Must Go On" is actually a montage of video-clips, seeing as how Mercury was, sadly, in no condition to ever perform the song on stage or even record a video for it.

On a slightly lighter note, I do believe that SingStar Queen has the potential to spawn some really awesome videos on the SingStore network, I'd really love to see just how well people can capture Mercury's sound. Just one favor, let's keep the Paul Rodgers stuff to ourselves.

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ThePearlJamer
ThePearlJamer
14 years ago

They should add to the setlist Muse's United States Of Eurasia…

TGG
TGG
14 years ago

The montage was the video released to the public. Sony didn't put it together themselves. It makes sense if you think about it. That song was the last song on the last record Queen ever released as a band. A montage of his life with Queen is fitting. RIP freddie. 🙁

I wanna buy this game as soon as I can. I sing Queen songs all the time. Not very well mind you…but still.


Last edited by TGG on 8/4/2009 10:38:17 PM

ArnoldK PSXE
ArnoldK PSXE
14 years ago

I know Sony didn't make it. I was just saying it's not an actual music video like the others.

Reccaman18
Reccaman18
14 years ago

Capturing Freddie's voice? It cant be done, I say! But this sounds like a really good game. For Singstar that is. Everyone that likes Queen cant help but sing along anyway (Im no exception!), so why not get it?

ThePearlJamer
ThePearlJamer
14 years ago

Matt Bellamy can capture Freedy Mercury's voice flawlessly…

TheHighlander
TheHighlander
14 years ago

In the words of the Highlander, regarding Freddie Mercury "There can be only ONE!" This is an instant buy – tomorrow on the way home from work…

I will never sound anything like Freddie, but my god it will be fun to sing along.

Jawknee
Jawknee
14 years ago

Killer Queen is a freaking great song! One of my favorites.

mackid1993
mackid1993
14 years ago

dum… dum..dum… another one bites the dust… and another one dies and another one dies… another one bites the dust… HEY.. he's gonna get you too… another one bites the dust.

mackid1993
mackid1993
14 years ago

didn't some mayor of a certain eastern european city(can't remember which one) say he wanted Freddie Mercury to come play there, not realizing that he has been dead for 20 years.

Dr Zaius
Dr Zaius
14 years ago

ive got to get this

Jawknee
Jawknee
14 years ago

They should make a NOFX singstar. Ha! Can you imagine trying to sing The Decline?


Last edited by Jawknee on 8/5/2009 9:23:26 AM

fluffer nutter
fluffer nutter
14 years ago

I have been a fan of NOFX for over 20 years but I would say that Bad Religion deserves it more. Best lyrics ever written and the music has always ruled. Ahhhh yeah. Don't think so? Go read Greg's lyrics. The man is very thought provoking.

Jawknee
Jawknee
14 years ago

I'm fully familier with Bad Religion and Mr. Graffin. I won't disagree that Bad Religion is deserving, but I've prefered NOFX over BR for their entire 25 year career. Can't see that changing now.


Last edited by Jawknee on 8/6/2009 4:53:46 PM

shreevin
shreevin
14 years ago

I guess I don't understand why they don't just make this available through the Sing Store. I would rather pop in the original disc and be able to mix Queen in with the rest of my library. But because Queen rocks I'll be getting this one anyway.

TheHighlander
TheHighlander
14 years ago

Well, I *would* be playing this right now if my local GameStop had bothered to get of it's butt and actually have the game in stock. But no, they didn't, and it wasn't that they'd sold out, they simply didn't even have the game, and none were on order.

Next I went to my local Target. Oh look, no where to be seen.

In desperation I hit up the local Wal-Mart which is one of the larger stores I've ever been in, it covers several acres. Guess what, yep, No singstar Queen. Actually, no SingStar at all. Plenty of copies of Lips – all clearanced to hell and back – nut no SingStar.

Now I'll have to check the local Best Buy or order it from Amazon. I'm left wondering "what the hell!?" Where are the games? I could accept Target and Wal-Mart both crapping out, they aren't dedicated game stores. But GameStop? What the hell!?

Ah, but there's a reason I'm sure. When I walk into my local GameStop I would say that at a rough guess fully 60% of the wall-space is occupied by used games. Not new games, used ones. That doesn't even include the four 6 foot by 6 foot bins in the floor space filled to overflowing with used games. GameStop places a far higher priority on selling used games than new games. How is that a positive thing? Selling used games benefits only Gamestop, not the publishers, not the developers and certainly not the console makers. But what about the customer? Frankly, I am mega ticked at GameStop anyway, this is by no means the first time I have tried to purchase a newly released title from them only to find that they aren't even carrying that title. They didn't carry Cross Edge, I got it from Amazon. They didn't even list Eternal Sonata on their Website when it was launched. I can't even comment on PSP games, I generally buy them online now. Thank goodness Sony has embraced digital distribution, at least that way there's a chance I'll find the games I want.

More than that though, is this the way it's going to be? Will major retailers have a limited selection because they carry so many other items (a la Target or Wal-Mart)? What about so called specialist retailers like GameStop? Will their range of new games be limited so they can devote shelf space to self serving used games purchased for a fraction of the used price it will sell at?

I don't think I'll ever purchase another game through GameStop with the sole exception of exclusive collectors editions I cannot get elsewhere. Otherwise, it's online for me from now on.

</rant>

fluffer nutter
fluffer nutter
14 years ago

You can do what I do and only purchase games from GameStop when they're drastically reduced the prices. I don't normally have a good time in there because of the lack of customer service. I just go in and try to get out as fast as I can.

TheCanadianGuy
TheCanadianGuy
12 years ago

Freddie mercury is simply the greatest musician this world has ever seen.
bohemian rhapsody is simply the greatest song ever created.
bryan may is simply 1 of the greatest guitar players this world has ever seen.
roger taylor is simply 1 of the greatest drumers this world has ever seen.
john deacon is simply 1 of the greatest bass players this world has ever seen.
Queen is simply the greatest band this world has ever seen.
that simple.


Last edited by TheCanadianGuy on 7/3/2011 1:55:43 PM

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