SingStar

SingStar is one of those franchises you either love (though you are loathe to admit it in public) or you avoid like the plague. It takes a certain boldness to stand up and risk your pride by caterwauling a popular song, showing the world you may – in fact – be tone deaf, scaring the cats and small children and basically violating noise ordinances.

But come on, regardless of how good or bad you sing, chances are (if you are reading this review) that you do enjoy singing. After a successful run on the PlayStation 2 console system, SingStar is making its debut on the next-gen machine, the PlayStation 3. And if merely singing the songs for possible public humiliation were not enough, you can incorporate the PlayStation Eye to capture the video from your performance and put it up on the PlayStation Network where the world can see it.

SingStar has evolved well beyond the high-def resolution output and crystal clear sound. The game is incorporating SingStore, which will have songs available for purchase and download to add to your library of karaoke favorites. That, in itself, almost negates the song list included with the release. But be that as it may, the existing song list is important. So here is what comes with the PS3 iteration:

• Amy Winehouse – Back to Black

• Beck – Loser

• Blind Melon – No Rain

• Blink-182 – All the Small Things

• Brittney Spears – Toxic

• Coldplay – Clocks

• Corinne Bailey Rae – Put Your Records On

• Dave Matthews Band – Crash into Me

• David Bowie – Let’s Dance

• Faith No More – Epic

• Franz Ferdinand – Do You Want To

• Jane’s Addiction – Been Caught Stealing

• New Found Glory – My Friends Over You

• Ne-Yo – So Sick

• Outkast – Hey Ya!

• Pixies – Here Comes Your Man

• R.E.M. – Losing My Religion

• Radiohead – No Surprises

• Ramones – I Wanna Be Sedated

• Scissor Sisters – I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’

• The Automatic Automatic – Monster

• The Cardigans – Lovefool

• The Killers – Mr. Brightside

• The Pussycat Dolls – Beep

• The Rolling Stones – Sympathy for the Devil

• The Smashing Pumpkins – Today

• U2 – Beautiful Day

• Warrant – Cherry Pie

• Weezer – Buddy Holly

• Wolfmother – Love Train

It is a pretty impressive list, incorporating new tunes as well as older songs. Some of the songs include some rap elements, but for the most part, this collection is upbeat and should have broad appeal.

The PS3 version of SingStar works just fine with the PS2 microphones. In fact, the mics never sounded better. They deliver a louder sound blaring from the 42-inch Bravia, and make each sour note cringe-worthy throughout your neighborhood.

Ok, for those who don’t know what SingStar is – think of it as a karaoke machine. You pick a song, just a difficulty setting (after you pick the game mode, but will get to that in a moment), and then sing the words as they are highlighted in the bar across the bottom. The video plays in the background, and it is overlaid with bars that show whether you are on key, flat or sharp. By riding that bar, you score points and afterwards, the game judges your performance. Once you complete the song, you can listen to the playback or use the PS Eye to record up to 25 seconds of video of you performing (now there’s a scary thought). If you have a master account on the PSN, you can upload your performances to your online My SingStar profile and share them. The online profile will show off not only your scores, but also have some pertinent info about you, like your favorite band and such.

This is, perhaps, the most vibrant element of the game. Sure, you can play the game modes (sing solo, battle, duet, pass the mic and practice) but once you connect to the SingStar community, you have truly taken a leap of faith forward. But if you already have a friend’s list attached to your online account, the new feature in SingStar allows you to expand that easily by finding profiles and performances and adding them through the game. It’s all rather easy.

As for the SingStore, there are already 200 titles online and ready for download – at $1.49 a song – and Sony plans on continuing to add up to 50 titles per month. Is there a need for another SingStar expansion? Not really, not with the robust online store that will allow players to totally customize their gaming experience.

The user interface for this game is really remarkably easy to use. From the game set-up to the online components (sorry, no online battles or duets), to the modes, sound and visuals, this is a major step up.

Dipping back to the sound and visuals for a moment, SingStar for the PS3 represents a leap ahead. There was not a lot of room to move forward, but somehow the dev team has managed to improve the look by going high-def, but has also raised the sound quality to another level. The game even has a component to synchronize the game tighter so you will hit the song lyrics as the highlighter hits them, and not have to anticipate.

All in all, SCEA has taken the franchise and driven it forward nicely. If you were wondering how SingStar would be embraced by the next-gen console, wonder no more – this is a great experience.

Gameplay: 8.5
The user interface is easy to use and the options – with the online components – are very solid. The world of SingStar has expanded nicely.

Graphics: 8.0
We’re talking 720p here, and spread out on a big screen, it looks great.

Sound: 8.2
Crisper tones and the microphones pick up much better through the PS3.

Difficulty: Easy
The game is set up to be easy, the tough part is singing on key.

Concept: 8.4
Even the SingStore is populated with a lot of bands I’ve never heard of, this is still a great tool and the potential is amazing. The My SingStar element is also very nicely done.

Multiplayer: 7.5
The My SingStar and online profiles are great. About the only thing left to do is allow players to hook up online to battle or sing duets.  

Overall: 8.2
A major step forward for the SingStar franchise, the PS3 version of the franchise is well-conceived and nicely handled. If you are a fan of the franchise, and have a PS3, owning this is a no-brainer.