With the solid foundation of PS2 titles under the SingStar belt, it was only a matter of time before the next generation of SingStar graced our gaming screens. As our SingStar week continues I thought we should start with the first PS3 title before launching into the exciting new ones.
I think it’s fair to say that by now most people know what SingStar is, or they can gather it’s a singing game for your PlayStation. It’s simple, plug in your mics, pop in your SingStar Disk and sing along to your favourite songs. As the music video plays in the background, and the words are highlighted at the bottom of your screen, your singing is scored in real time.
What the PS2 version of SingStar started, the PS3 has almost perfected. The user experience is seamless, and unmatched by upcoming imitations by Microsoft and Nintendo. The PS3’s SingStar takes singing to a stylish new HD level with stunning menus and the biggest addition, the SingStore. The SingStore allows you to expand your music library with individual songs or packs that you want. No more buying disks with songs you don’t like.
Don’t worry, for those of you stuck in the stone ages Sony will continue releasing new versions on disks with more tracks and more features. What I really love about the PS3 version is that as new disks are released with new features, you’ll be able to download an update so that the features are available for all your songs, not just the new disk.
The only downside to this game is arguably not really that important. Playing by yourself doesn’t have that much appeal. This is a social game, as it always has been, and without friends it can just become plain boring. However if you’re the perfectionist bettering your score could keep you going or even the constant search for PS3 trophies could supply you with hours of individual SingStar fun.
As usual your EyeToy works with SingStar to add an additional level of fun and mockery as you watch back the hysterical performances put on by friends and see them squirm as they hear and see themselves sing.
This is a hard game to fault because of its pure entertainment value. After all, isn’t that what we buy games for?
9/10
Apple launched the Windows version of their web browser, Safari, to the public just a few months ago. After all this hands on time with the program I think, pro Apple bias aside, that Safari blows Internet Explorer out of the water.
After using Vista for almost a year I am now in a reasonable position to critique it. As with most software, time is needed to fix start-up kinks and iron out any small problems. Their time is up.
