Singstar R&B (PS2)
- Publisher:
- SCEE
- Developer:
- SCEE
- Release Date:
- 26.10.2007
- Number of players:
- n/a
- Type:
- Music
We play Singstar R&B...
The SingStar series has sold remarkably well on the PS2 since the first instalment back in 2004 and has turned gamers into shining pop-stars in the making. Or quite possibly made the neighbours build a ten-inch thick wall between the house to block out the noise!
My own personal SingStar journey has only just really begun; having never played the game in any form until earlier in the month when I had the pleasure of buying Anthems with two microphones for the flat at University. And since that joyous moment began, the game and it’s various instalments haven’t been put down. It really is a superb multiplayer title.
However I’m here to take a look at SingStar R&B which is one of the most recent ‘English’ versions of Singstar (if you exclude Bollywood, of which will be reviewed shortly!). R&B is a bit of a funny music genre. Many of you will probably associate it with modern day urban music which seemingly dominates the music charts. Others will probably associate it with Rhythm and Blues and those artists from the mid 20th century who possibly turned music and the genre into what it is today.
Whatever way you portray R&B, there really is something for everyone with Singstar R&B. It is possibly the most varied of the SingStars to date and has some conflicting evidence of what can be defined as R&B and what is not. It is also quite possibly the most difficult version with a wider emphasis on the Rap Meter which makes a perhaps not-so welcome return.
Anyone familiar with the series will be right at home with the menus and the modes including the usual Party options, nothing has changed and those multiplayer Battles will give you an endless amount of fun. However it is perhaps slightly lazy on Sony’s part that with the release of the PS3 version around the corner that they haven’t bothered to make any changes and keep the series fresh for the current-gen console.
30 songs have been squeezed on the disc along with a variety of medleys which always test your singing skills to the max! However what is slightly disturbing is what Sony feels is popular R&B. Sugababes, Mark Ronson and Amy Winehouse; are these true R&B artists? More to the point why pick out the below-part ‘Back-to-Black’ over ‘Rehab’ with the latter artist?
Slightly more upbeat then is the inclusion of some modern day stuff from the likes of Destiny’s Child, Rihanna and the Pussycat Dolls and the superb Salt ‘n’ Pepa with ‘Push It’ which will test the most avid of fans to score well; those ‘Ahh’s’ and ‘Push It’s’ may sound easy in writing, but you try it after a few beers.
We can’t forget the more classic of music though, those featuring artists such as Marvin Gaye, ‘Baby Love’ from Diana Ross and the Supremes and the quite simply superb Edwin Starr classic ‘WAR’; another one to keep the neighbours awake all night!
There are some more obscure songs thrown into the mix including Womack & Womack’s ‘Teardrops’ of which you might recognise when you hear it and a strange choice from OutKast. If there is one track to test your SingStar abilities however it is the Black Eyed Peas ‘Pump It’ which features a good mix of the rap meter and vocal pitch sections too, but is incredibly difficult to master. Might be best leaving that one for when you’re sober!
In conclusion SingStar R&B does offer you a variety of classic and more modern songs; however some which seemingly don’t fit into the genre. Whereas 80’s and 90’s had more clear-cut song inclusions, Sony need to think about the strategy of bundling genres together and if they do, making sure they understand what is classified as R&B and what is not. That said it’s worth a look and will provide those additional hours of SingStar entertainment.
Top Game Moment: Singing WAR at the top of your voice when pissed. Cracking stuff!
My own personal SingStar journey has only just really begun; having never played the game in any form until earlier in the month when I had the pleasure of buying Anthems with two microphones for the flat at University. And since that joyous moment began, the game and it’s various instalments haven’t been put down. It really is a superb multiplayer title.
However I’m here to take a look at SingStar R&B which is one of the most recent ‘English’ versions of Singstar (if you exclude Bollywood, of which will be reviewed shortly!). R&B is a bit of a funny music genre. Many of you will probably associate it with modern day urban music which seemingly dominates the music charts. Others will probably associate it with Rhythm and Blues and those artists from the mid 20th century who possibly turned music and the genre into what it is today.
Whatever way you portray R&B, there really is something for everyone with Singstar R&B. It is possibly the most varied of the SingStars to date and has some conflicting evidence of what can be defined as R&B and what is not. It is also quite possibly the most difficult version with a wider emphasis on the Rap Meter which makes a perhaps not-so welcome return.
 |
 |
|
| Hitting the right notes isn’t always that easy | Pukka up those lips for Whitney boys |
Anyone familiar with the series will be right at home with the menus and the modes including the usual Party options, nothing has changed and those multiplayer Battles will give you an endless amount of fun. However it is perhaps slightly lazy on Sony’s part that with the release of the PS3 version around the corner that they haven’t bothered to make any changes and keep the series fresh for the current-gen console.
30 songs have been squeezed on the disc along with a variety of medleys which always test your singing skills to the max! However what is slightly disturbing is what Sony feels is popular R&B. Sugababes, Mark Ronson and Amy Winehouse; are these true R&B artists? More to the point why pick out the below-part ‘Back-to-Black’ over ‘Rehab’ with the latter artist?
Slightly more upbeat then is the inclusion of some modern day stuff from the likes of Destiny’s Child, Rihanna and the Pussycat Dolls and the superb Salt ‘n’ Pepa with ‘Push It’ which will test the most avid of fans to score well; those ‘Ahh’s’ and ‘Push It’s’ may sound easy in writing, but you try it after a few beers.
 |
 |
|
| And who might these sexy ladies be? | The sight of a woman on the beach, pure bliss |
We can’t forget the more classic of music though, those featuring artists such as Marvin Gaye, ‘Baby Love’ from Diana Ross and the Supremes and the quite simply superb Edwin Starr classic ‘WAR’; another one to keep the neighbours awake all night!
There are some more obscure songs thrown into the mix including Womack & Womack’s ‘Teardrops’ of which you might recognise when you hear it and a strange choice from OutKast. If there is one track to test your SingStar abilities however it is the Black Eyed Peas ‘Pump It’ which features a good mix of the rap meter and vocal pitch sections too, but is incredibly difficult to master. Might be best leaving that one for when you’re sober!
In conclusion SingStar R&B does offer you a variety of classic and more modern songs; however some which seemingly don’t fit into the genre. Whereas 80’s and 90’s had more clear-cut song inclusions, Sony need to think about the strategy of bundling genres together and if they do, making sure they understand what is classified as R&B and what is not. That said it’s worth a look and will provide those additional hours of SingStar entertainment.
Top Game Moment: Singing WAR at the top of your voice when pissed. Cracking stuff!
