Gitaroo Man 2001

Is it still worth playing?

U-1, an awkward boy, becomes the hero Gitaroo Man when he picks up a legendary guitar and fights musical battles, in this 2001 rhythm game for the PlayStation 2. Most notes are played by tracing a line with the analog stick while pressing a button in time with the riffs. A stage has a Charge phase, where correct notes restore your health, and an Attack phase, where they damage the enemy. In the Guard phase you press buttons as they reach the center to dodge, and a stage ends with a long solo. The enemy's life bar shows your progress. The story mode has ten stages in styles from Eurobeat to metal to reggae. Each is ranked from E to S, and a harder Master's Play mode unlocks once you finish the story. The soundtrack is by the band COIL. Tracing a line to play a riff, with a guard and a solo in each song, still makes every song a short fight.