DJ Hero 2 Review

By Keza MacDonald Published 19 October, 2010

Two many DJs.

Version tested: Xbox 360

Anyone taking the pulse of the rhythm-action genre right now is coming away worried. Even this time last year, sales of the genre's front man franchises were tailing off; now Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock's dreadful performance seems to be fulfilling the grimmest premonitions. High-street window displays are full of discounted plastic instruments. People are sick of pretending to be in a band, the stars seem to be saying. Something's got to change.

I am one of these people. I've been playing Guitar Hero for fully five years, and I've reached my ceiling. Before that I had to get my music-gaming kicks in hard-to-find places – mostly Japanese arcades – and I miss the purity of those games, the Beatmanias and Gitaroo Mans and Frequencies. You and the screen. Bright colours, impossible patterns, booming music. That rush of good chemicals to the brain when you're making all of it happen in synch.

DJ Hero 2 reminds me of simpler times. Rock Band has reacted to the current mood by turning itself into an awe-inspiring full music-learning hardware and software suite, adding fascinating layers of depth and difficulty that maybe 5 per cent of its audience will ever fully experience. DJ Hero 2 strips away almost everything except you, the music, the patterns, and the big number above your score meter.

It immediately looks much slicker, clearer and more tasteful. The graffiti pop-art style is gone, replaced by calming white menus. You no longer have to spin past 20 tutorial and set list selections to find Quickplay – it's the first option. The single-player is organised away under Empire mode, in which you pick a DJ avatar and guide them through about 80 excellent mixes, interspersed with DJ Battles that show off the new multiplayer modes.

The soundtrack is faultless. If you're a regular club-goer there's plenty to recognise, but crucially, it's still a powerful draw if you don't know or even like the music. That's down to the quality of the mashups. FreeStyle Games' own considerable talent is once again supported by original mixes from legends like DJ Shadow and the Scratch Perverts. Deadmau5, David Guetta and Tiesto show up for cameos as well, which is terribly exciting if you care about this kind of thing.

The note tracks, too, look different. No more primary colours – it's been given a cooler colour scheme, heavy on the neon. You still control things in the same way, pressing buttons on the decks to match samples, scratching back and forth with your right hand with your left glued to the crossfader.

The escalating difficulty levels gradually introduce new elements, guiding you gently through the controls without lazily stripping everything out for Easy and Medium, introducing directional scratching at Hard level, and throwing in a few new things like sustained button-presses. It's much harder than the original DJ Hero, challenging right from the first megamix on Expert.

But there's been a much more significant change to the way the game works. DJ Hero 2 has completely altered the nature of freestyling, turning it into an integral part of the game. Previously you could only let off a small selection of pre-selected samples with the red button – otherwise known as the YEEEEAAHH BOIIIII button – but now , those samples are mix-specific, and how you use them is the difference between making a song sound incredible and like a 13-year-old playing with Garage Band.

There are whole sections of mixes where the game just hands over control, letting you set off effects, scratch or crossfade exactly how you like. Keeping the beat isn't easy, especially the first time you hear a mix, but when you get it right it feels incredible. You're graded on your freestyling at the end of a mix, but it doesn't affect your score. You don't have to be naturally good at it to make progress, but it's an outlet for your musical creativity, and a skill that you can feel developing the more you play.

Freestyling doesn't just give you the illusion of control over the music – something that DJ Hero was already very good at – it actually gives you control, putting key parts of the mix in your hands and inviting you to either recreate what Freestyle Games does with the tracks or take them in your own direction. It's much closer to actual DJing than to beatmatching.

Nothing has been done to those chunky DJ Hero decks. There's no need to buy anything new to play DJ Hero 2, which surely comes as a relief after the original's absurd price-tag. Activision still wants you to buy more of them, though, so DJ Hero 2 has a vastly improved suite of party and multiplayer options.

The original Hero's multiplayer consisted solely of playing mixes side-by-side and fighting over the effects dial, but 2 has proper multiplayer-specific mixes and DJ battles. This was the main thing that we wanted from DJ Hero 2 when we reviewed the original last year, and it really delivers. There are straightforward high-score, high-streak and checkpoint competitions alongside the call-and-response Battles, and all of it is online-enabled, with player tags and personal logos.

It really encourages a competitive spirit, even adding in an option to send an instant brag/challenge message to a friend upon finishing a mix (smack-talk optional). Guitar Hero-style Party play is in there too, so at parties you can essentially use the game as a very, very good jukebox, jumping in to play whenever you're not stuck in the kitchen talking to people you don't know.

But I'm not convinced that DJ Hero is a party game. It can be, certainly, and the new multiplayer modes make it much more viable as group entertainment, but it's also the most absorbing single-player rhythm game around at the moment. It draws you right into the Zone – you emerge from a five-mix set with no sense of time, blinking in confusion.

There are little things that aren't quite right. DJ customisation in Empire mode is very limited, for instance. I'd have liked to be able to create my own character, or use my Xbox avatar, or design my own logo rather than choose from a selection. But then there are other little things that are just perfect – the way the mixes run smoothly into each other, loading-free, the added emphasis on beating high scores, the interface, and non-essential things like microphone implementation and playing as Deadmau5.

DJ Hero 2 is the freshest thing in rhythm gaming right now, a lifeline for people bored of guitars and drums and genre veterans craving the purer, simpler rhythm-action kick of a pre-Guitar Hero world. It's a social game, sure, and the music selection makes it an accessible one too, but it's got the heart of a real hardcore beatmatcher. The inspired freestyling and playful multiplayer options make it more attractive than it ever was. It can't compete with something like Rock Band 3 in terms of complexity – but then, it's not playing the same game.

9 / 10

Read the Eurogamer.net scoring policy
Picture of Keza.

About Keza MacDonald

Read more articles from Keza by visiting the Keza MacDonald archive page.

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Comments (64) Latest comment 2 years ago

Comments for this article are now closed, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • FourQ #1 2 years ago

    GET IN!!!

  • GooseUK #2 2 years ago

    just got DJ hero 1 at the weekend and it is truly brilliant. Cant wait to pick this up!

  • Scurrminator #3 2 years ago

    You CAN use your avatar in the game!

  • GAmbrose #4 2 years ago

    Three 9/10's in one day.

    Impressive.

  • layleeloo #5 2 years ago

    Im one of the few who loved the first one. Needless to say it will be a wiser investment that the hippedy hop hop rap star thingy ma bob.

  • sfp_noodle #6 2 years ago

    I look forward to seeing where this series stands in another few years time. I can bet my favourite cereal on it that it'll be run into the ground just like every other Activision franchise. My message to the fans would be this - Enjoy it whilst it lasts! All good things come to an end with Activision.

  • Eraysor #7 2 years ago

    God dammit. Rock Band 3 and Fable 3 next week as well. My bank account is going to get well and truly raped.

  • FourQ #8 2 years ago

    @Scumminator

    How do you know? The game isn't out yet!?

  • menage #9 2 years ago

    Damn, all these 9s

    I'm tempted to pick it up just to give it a go. But 'll probably buy 1 for 20 bucks somewwere soon.

  • brseg #10 2 years ago

    Not into these types of games, but the review was good, well-written.

  • Gregolution #11 2 years ago

    Loved the first, will get this after reading that review. Bring it on

  • asphaltcowboy #12 2 years ago

    @FourQ? Scurrminator is an international man of mystery! ;)

  • Ron_Justice #13 2 years ago

    FFS three 9's! I want to play them all but have neither the time or money /o\

  • FogHeart #14 2 years ago

    Massive kudos for the Soulwax reference :)

  • Scurrminator #15 2 years ago

    @FourQ http://kotaku.com/5667740/the-real-reaso...

  • butler` #16 2 years ago

    It's DJ Hero 1 with good music, basically.

  • nazzyq #17 2 years ago

    They were demoing this at St Pancras/ Kings Cross station the other day. It did look like a lot of fun, but unfortunately, I was running late for uni, so I didn't stop to try it out.

  • InfiniteFury #18 2 years ago

    YES! I liked the first one I think I might love this one.

    Between this and the RB keyboard, my rhythm needs are more than catered for.

  • Genyus #19 2 years ago

    Whoah, another one! Why did I just had to quit my job 2 weeks ago? :(

  • VandelayIndustries #20 2 years ago

    Jesus wept! All these quality games, It's more than my wallet can take. What a problem to have \o/

  • Skurmedel #21 2 years ago

    Scurrminator: The music is horrible... :( I guess I'm not in the target demographic, but they've just destroyed both tunes.

  • jammypea #22 2 years ago

    YEAH BOI!!!

  • kinky_mong #23 2 years ago

    @butler: are you joking?! The tracklisting for this sequel has far too much pop and R'n'B guff compared to the first game, and that's exactly why I'm not buying it.

  • Ryze #24 2 years ago

    Sounds like it's worth a look...

  • butler` #25 2 years ago

    @kinky

    The first one was too black for my tastes. I like a bit of rnb... but it really did dominate the whole thing.

    From the track list this one looks a lot more pop/dance/electro which is fine with me.

  • FreakyZoid #26 2 years ago

    > It's DJ Hero 1 with good music, basically.

    After listening to the mixes on the website, I would say it's DJ Hero 1 without the good music, basically.

  • Zeburdee #27 2 years ago

    Lovely info provided regarding the potential differences/similarities between formats - *not*.

    For fugs sake EG, is it too much to ask for a multi-format 9/10 review to have a 3rd page letting us know any info relating to the game between the 3 consoles? (especially when it includes the poor old Wii).

    [Note: that question is rhetorical, and the answer should be "No, we'll add one"]

  • Daeltaja #28 2 years ago

    5x 9's in a week? Whats happening to eurogamer!!!

  • monkfishjoe #29 2 years ago

    Excellent- This is good news.

    Except there are now too many good games to play. Why could some of these come along 2 months ago...:(

  • Keza #30 2 years ago

    @Zeburdee: We've got face-offs for that. Sadly we can't review every format of a game at once. We tend to only get one!

  • Felbridge #31 2 years ago

    was not expecting a 9/10!

  • Distributor #32 2 years ago

    First one didnt sell and i dont see this one doing any better despite what EG says. Sad to say.

  • hiddenranbir #33 2 years ago

    Not good at the game but made an album of the songs.

    Some of the mixes are insanely awesome.

    I heaaaard it on the grapevine (feeelgoood!)

  • attacanteblue #34 2 years ago

    @Distributor First one sold close to 2m copies.

  • Dogs-in-Hats #35 2 years ago

    I'm all over this shit on Friday

  • flanker22 #36 2 years ago

    fucking eurogamer, they ration out the high scores then bam 3 in a row... wtf guys

  • NimbusTLD #37 2 years ago

    Hmm, the score got my excited, I considered buying this. Then I watched that gameplay video Scurrminator linked, and it looks very unexciting. Then I actually read the review, and can't understand the 9.

    I tried DJ Hero 1 in a demo booth, and came away unimpressed, and this looks like more of the same to me. Pass.

    edit: and I'm pretty sure you're using the term "beatmatching" erroneously in the review. Actual beatmatching would be awesome!
    Edited by NimbusTLD at 20/10/10 @ 00:45

  • alientude #38 2 years ago

    "If you're a regular club-goer there's plenty to recognise, but crucially, it's still a powerful draw if you don't know or even like the music."

    This makes no sense. The music is a powerful draw even though I don't like it?

  • BigJonno #39 2 years ago

    Keza describes the exact way I felt about the first one. Rock Band has become a distinctly multi-player experience for me; DJ Hero took me back to getting Guitar Hero 2 as a surprise Christmas present and spending ages mastering the tracks.

  • Lankysi #40 2 years ago

    @Distributor First one sold close to 2m copies.

    pwnd!! lol

    Had a go at the demo of this and absolutely LOVED it, loving the new freestyling bits, especially the crossfading sections.

    Admittedly they could still with a few more dance/old skool inspired tracks instead of RnB or Pop........where's the Prodigy?!!?

    As far as rhythm action games go, I still firmly believe that Activision should bring out "ultimate" versions of each title and then just DLC the music. I've stopped buying the Guitar Hero's because half the tunes I don't know they're so obscure! RB had the right idea, let the gamers choose

  • Sunyavadin #41 2 years ago

    I'll stick with doing it in a club and getting paid for it, thanks.

    This game is nothing you couldn't do for far less expense by installing Traktor on your home PC.

  • Ryboy #42 2 years ago

    Nice

  • andywilkie35 #43 2 years ago

    Absolutely loved the first one, will pick this up for sure

  • thelatestmodel #44 2 years ago

    As a regular IIDX player, this makes me very excited.

  • TheBoyChris #45 2 years ago

    Ace :D

  • YoJimbo #46 2 years ago

    @LankySi - "....where's the Prodigy?!!? "

    The Prodigy are in the game, check out the tracklisting!!

  • geeza2020 #47 2 years ago

    9/10? Too bad its an Activision game. I might have bought it otherwise.

  • Max_Powers #48 2 years ago

    Love it!

  • Zeburdee #49 2 years ago

    @Keza: regarding the multi-format info...

    => "We've got face-offs for that. Sadly we can't review every format of a game at once. We tend to only get one!"

    Thanks for taking the time to answer that, but it really sounds more of an excuse rather than a solution (which is simple)...

    - *Ask* for another copy (if it's a 9 game, how many are really going to say 'No' to extra multi-format exposure?)
    - At least *mention* the review version(s) in the review! (especially when linking directly from - for example - the dedicated Wii section of the site as a Wii game review [same applies for other consoles of course])

    It's probably taken as long to type that comment as it would to specify which versions were/weren't reviewed!
    Ho hum.

  • moriss #50 2 years ago

    nusic for this looks absolutely brilliant, bit more diverse and crucially more dancy/electronic than last time. sure there's some tunes in there i have no interest in but its not going to ruin my life, like what some of the commenters here seem to be implying. everyone has different taste, just annoys me that people say things along the lines of "THE MUSIC IS SHITE, FUCK THEM FOR RUINING DJ HERO 2" when wot they mean is "The music isn't to my taste this time. Never mind"

  • moriss #51 2 years ago

    "I'll stick with doing it in a club and getting paid for it, thanks.

    This game is nothing you couldn't do for far less expense by installing Traktor on your home PC."

    oooh, are we meant to be impressed?

    i don't think people get this game to MAKE music, they get it to have some fun with a meat-matching rhythm action game. its not like it's some threat to ur alleged livelihood, which incidentally is pretty much nothing to do with the gameplay in this game. it's just called DJ hero coz it's catchy, theres not a great deal of crossover between the gameplay and what real djs do.

    Edited by moriss at 21/10/10 @ 10:07

  • moriss #52 2 years ago

    lol, not meat-matching, beat matching hhahaha :)

  • moriss #53 2 years ago

    @zeburdee - clearly u dont knowmuch about the biz. theyd have to ask for a second or third copy of the game, which they probanly wouldnt get anyway due to politics and allocations etc. then theyd have to review each and every copy in the same detail so as to compare fairly, which would essentially double or triple the time spent reviewing it and they really aren't that equipped to deal with that.

    i think ur being rude and unreasonable. i think the answer given made sense and ur not paying for the site so you don't really have any grounds to be so rude to her. they reviewed the gameplay and at a later date if theres much to srite about they;ll look at cross-platform differences.

    id say just about the only reasonable point you made is that it wouldbe nice to know what platform version was reviewed, like edge magazine does.
    Edited by moriss at 20/10/10 @ 13:53

  • FreakyZoid #54 2 years ago

    > "The music isn't to my taste this time. Never mind"

    Perhaps 'wot' they mean is "after listening to the snippets of all of the mixes on the website, they seem to be poorer quality than last time."

    Some of my favourite mixes in DH 1 had songs in that I don't like. They seem to have made really bad mixes out of pretty much every track I was looking forward to.

    You can listen to previews of almost all of the DJ Hero 2 mixes on their site http://www.djhero.com/en-us/music/catalog

  • neilka #55 2 years ago

    There's even a 6G achievement ("Not All Avatars Are Blue";) for playing a mix with your Avatar, so even more of a glaring error... and no correction?

  • Harmonica #56 2 years ago

    @moriss "id say just about the only reasonable point you made is that it wouldbe nice to know what platform version was reviewed, like edge magazine does."

    -1 for reading comprehension, Keza mentioned 'wanting to play with her avatar' so that probably points to which version she was using.

  • moriss #57 2 years ago

    @freakyzoid well there you go, i disagree. again youre making a subjective point that you think the mixes are shit. i listened to a few and i couldnt wait to get playing with them. my comment was really just a lament about people who post comments that are founded in the bleief that their subjective opinion is fact.
    Edited by moriss at 21/10/10 @ 10:06

  • moriss #58 2 years ago

    @harmonica - actually i did read the entire artickle again before posting and i saw that avatar comment and thats how i knew she was reviewing the 360 version but it doesn't address the point that i was saying he was correct about, that they could make it easier to work out what version of a multiplatform title they reviewed.

    edge list all versions available and put (reviewed) after the one that the review is based on. im saying eg could do the same at the top of a review.

    perhaps they already do this, i see the xbox is listed first above. anyone feel like checking a multiplatform review where we know they tested the PS3 version? afaik they almost always do the 360 version tho.
    Edited by moriss at 21/10/10 @ 11:33

  • Keza #59 2 years ago

    I don't think it would hurt to have a "version reviewed" sticker somewhere - I'll definitely ask someone why we don't. I'd presume it has something to do with the content management system.

    Re: the Avatar error - would somebody please point me towards that option? I really can't find it!

  • Zeburdee #60 2 years ago

    @moriss

    Well done. You've clearly demonstrated the ability to make poor assumptions and be way off target. Keep up the great work!

  • Lee_Morris #61 2 years ago

    I'm waiting till I get a 5.1 system set up but Once I do I'll be all over this game. I hope this isn't turned into an annual game so the franchise can stay fresh. This is Activision game so we haven't got a chance : (

  • gaselite #62 2 years ago

    Anyone taking the pulse of the rhythm-action genre right now ...


    ... needs a pulse of their own

  • himmelsturmerIX #63 2 years ago

    I need a music game in my game library. I think this would be it.

  • moriss #64 2 years ago

    @zeburdee, sorry you lost me coz i long since stopped caring about you since i got this amazing game and played the heck out of it last night and this morning. what were you saying? :)