SingStar Country Review for PlayStation 2 (PS2)

System: PS2	Review Rating Legend
Dev: SCEE	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: SCEA (SONY)	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Release: Oct. 28, 2008	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	5.0 = The Best
Players: 1-8	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
ESRB Rating: Teen	3.5 - 3.9 = Good

As far as modes are concerned, this title does not deviate from the SingStar formula at all. There is a main single-player mode where you can sing your best all alone, or you can play in one of the game’s signature multiplayer modes. As far as the multiplayer modes are concerned, the usual suspects are all here: Battle, Duet, and Pass the Mic. The Battle mode is the game’s main competitive mode, where you and a friend are able sing the same song simultaneously and see who is able to maintain perfect pitch the longest and garner the highest score at the end.

SingStar Country screenshot

The Duet mode is a little friendlier and allows two players to sing together for a combined score. Pass the Mic mode, which is generally the most popular, is a party focused mode that allows up to eight people to alternate singing verses and choruses with the game’s two mic inputs.

The visuals in SingStar Country are all very standard and sport the series’ trademark menu style, with simple blue accents to let you know that you are playing the Country version. While singing, you’ll be able to watch videos in the background, and these are all of reasonably good quality, with the exception of some of the older songs. But on the whole, the visuals here are as standard as they have ever been, which is definitely a good thing.

SingStar Country, like the titles that came before it, is essentially the same SingStar game you’ve been playing, but with a different genre-focused song list. And even though it is a welcome addition to the SingStar family, I am very disappointed in the lack of variety in the song selection. There are so many big acts missing, and the fact that more than five artists have more than one song on the disc hinders it from being as varied as it could have been. However, if all you want to do is sing “Redneck Woman” by Gretchen Wilson, then this title will definitely fit the bill.

By Amanda L. Kondolojy
CCC Staff Contributor

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

3.5

Graphics
Graphics are SingStar standard with cool blue menus and music video playback.

4.0

Control
Control in this title is as easy as picking up the mic.

3.4

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
The tracklist here is pretty good for country fans, but I wish there was a little bit more variety. The world of country music is huge, so there is really no need for so many repeat artist tracks.

3.4

Play Value
This title may not have the variety of the Pop or Legends entries in the series, but for country music fans, you can’t go wrong.

3.6

Overall Rating - Good
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

Sony BMG Nashville stars featured on SingStar Country include Kenny Chesney, Brooks & Dunn, Jessica Simpson, Miranda Lambert, Montgomery Gentry, and Kellie Pickler

You can perform along with your favorite artists, sing duets, face off in one-on-one battles, and singing with up to eight players in a "Pass-the-Mic" social frenzy.

Thirty hit songs and videos on each disc ensure there's no end to the fun, and with the unique "disc swapping" feature, players can easily switch SingStar discs, instantly expanding the song library without needing to reset the console.