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SingStar Volume 2 (PS3)
By: Adam Waddilove

Does this game hit all the right notes?


Whether you're an entertainer, a diva, a rocker, a crooner or hip hopster - or even a shy star - there will be something for you on the disc's 30-strong track list. Artists featured include The Killers, Eminem, Kaiser Chiefs, Gorillaz and many many more. All track features the original music video for you to enjoy!

Singstar Volume 2 will feature a harmony duet mode: a new way of playing that allows two players to sing different lines to a song at the same time, showing off their harmonising skills. This is really your chance to showcase your talent and adds a new dimension to the SingStar experience! Special tracks have been included to showcase this new mode such as Kool and the Gang: Celebration, Paul McCartney & the Frog Chorus: We all Stand Together and The Mamas & The Papas: California Dreamin'.

As if that wasn't enough, Singstar Volume 2 also includes Remote Play functionalities with PSP. Using PSP and a wireless Internet connection, players will be able to access various areas of the game such as: SingStore: browse, select and download new songs, from SingStore remotely. This is really your chance to get your favourite party tracklist ready before you're heading back home!

My SingStar Online: browse and participate in all areas, rate media, leave comments, take part in polls, etc. You can now continue to be part of the SingStar community on the go: share and show off hilarious and killer performances to your friends and family!

As with the first instalment of SingStar on PS3, Singstar Volume 2 gives players instant access to SingStore, the ever-expanding online download store where extra tracks can be purchased, allowing players to add to their collection of songs and create their own SingStar playlists to suit their party mood. There are currently over 300 tracks in SingStore costing 99p per track. Make sure you're part of My SingStar Online, the next-generation community where players can share their performances with the world after capturing them with a PlayStation Eye or EyeToy camera.

Singstar Volume 2 for PlayStation 3 Features:

  • Introducing the new harmony duet mode: Put your vocal skills to the test as you perform different lines to a song against your SingStar rival! This is your chance to perform duets in harmony and showcase your skills!

  • 30 strong track list: Sing along to critically acclaimed artists and bands from The Killers, Eminem, Kaiser Chiefs, Nirvana, Gorillaz and many many more!

  • PSP Remote Play functionality: With a PSP and a wireless internet connection, you will now be able to browse, select and start downloading new songs from the 'SingStore' on the go. Choosing your perfect tracklist is easier than ever before. You can also access to all areas of My SingStar Online and share the best SingStar performances with your friend and family!

  • Join the online SingStar community: Enter via the game (My SingStar Online) or PC (www.singstargame.com) and upload your performances and rate others. Who knows, you could become an overnight star!

  • Download in an instant: SingStore is directly accessible in-game. It's easy to use and your song selections can be quickly granted. And with over 300 tracks available for you to download directly from the SingStore, there is plenty of choice to suit your party mood!

  • Slick new look: Navigate the famous 'carousel' for your song selection and enjoy a cool, sophisticated slick new in-game design.

  • The SingStar experience: Competitive game-play with battle and one-player modes, credible artists and social, inclusive fun - everything you know and love about SingStar but more music and more choice than ever before.

    That’s a pretty large list of features, so owners of past SingStar titles will be pleasantly surprised with Volume 2’s offerings. As you see from the list, there are a total of 30 songs in this version and plenty of downloadable content for a very reasonable price of 99p a track. Now I’ve only had minimal experience in the field of dare I say, Karaoke but I found SingStar to be a fun and quirky game, even if it is a little simple. It literally does what it says on the box.







    My past experiences with singing games comes in the form of Boogie for the Wii and Rock Band for the 360, so like I said...not much. I can’t claim to have the best singing voice in the world; I’d need a pretty big ego for that declaration. But, SingStar is quite forgiving depending on what difficulty you put it on. Essentially it works the same as Rock Band’s vocal mode, by making you hit the notes at the right time, although there’s no power meter but instead it’s just a simple score that adds up through the song. You’ll also be treated to the song’s music video, no matter how old. Or you can plug in one of the Playstation cameras and see yourself singing instead, your choice.

    The interface is pretty simple, but it definitely does its job. What confused me about the whole SingStar experience was that it doesn’t allow you to simply plug in any USB Microphone to perform, you need a USB Adaptor and the SingStar Microphones to play, which seems an odd decision. The song selections are also questionable, sure you have some big hits in there that deserve to be in there but others seem a weird choice and there definitely seems to be some great songs in the SingStore that would have made a better substitute in the main package for those without access to it.

    But as a whole, you definitely get more than your money’s worth. Just make sure you get the full package with the microphones and don’t fall into thinking that every music game is like Rock Band. That’s where I got confused; if Rock Band can do it...why can’t SingStar? Well, I doubt we’ll get an answer to that so you might as well bite the bullet and get it. It would have been nice to have the music videos in true high-definition, since they look quite bad on HDTV's. But if you can look past that, then you’ll be fine.

    The Verdict

    Depending on your taste of music and your ability to sing, SingStar Volume 2 may very well be for you. DLC is affordable and the whole game is designed very well, it may not be for everyone but those looking for new tracks to sing to will definitely find an enjoyable few here.