Home

 › 

Articles

 › 

SingStar Pop Vol. 2 Review for PlayStation 2 (PS2)

SingStar Pop Vol. 2 Review for PlayStation 2 (PS2)

Singing Never Goes Out of Style!

The Singstar series has been around for quite a while and has hit its stride on the PlayStation 2. With almost twenty titles to its credit in the last five years, the series has been a proven seller thus far and doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. This beloved karaoke series had much success with last year’s SingStar Pop, and this year’s SingsStar Pop: Volume 2 feels like the same game, but with different songs. Which is definitely a good thing for karaoke enthusiasts, but it may leave longtime fans of the series wanting something more.

SingStar Pop Vol. 2 screenshot

The format of the game is nearly the same as all the other SingStar games. You are able to select from 30 pop-infused songs, all of which are available from the beginning. There is no single-player or story mode, and, instead, you are able to jump right in and sing by yourself or with friends. Once you pick a song, then there are note bars you have to fill by singing. You hit the right notes and the bars will glow blue. You hit the wrong notes and you’ll see the missed notes appear outside the bar. But don’t worry if you get too many of these. Unlike games like Rock Band, where you can fail a song half way through if you are absolutely terrible, in SingStar there is no way to fail a song. However, the game will still tell you if you are performing inadequately by way of an end-song rating, but it will still let you finish whatever song you were on. These ratings can range from “Tone Def” to “Lead Singer,” with categories like “Wannabe” and “Rising Star” in the middle.

But, as any seasoned Singstar veteran will tell you, this is the type of game that is best enjoyed with a group, and SingStar: Pop Volume 2 includes all the usual multiplayer modes. The Pass the Mic mode is still probably the best and most useful mode, as it allows you to share mics with a large group of people. This is the perfect mode for large parties or gatherings, and it is a great way to keep everyone engaged in the game. The game allows for up to eight people to play at once, and the game will provide “Pass the Mic” cues for the next player. Each person will get an individual score at the end of the song, and it is tons of fun comparing scores at the end of a crazy song. The next mode is the duet mode. In this mode you can find a friend and sing a song together. Although past SingStar titles have had different parts for each player in the duet mode, SingStar Pop: Volume 2 just has the same parts for each vocalist. After the song, a combined score is shown, and high fives will probably ensue. However, if you are not in such a cooperative mood, you can go all-out in battle mode, where you can compete with your singing rival one–on-one to see who has the better vocal chops.

SingStar Pop Vol. 2 screenshot

While the structure and different modes of play in SingStar Pop: Volume 2 are all essentially the same, the songs are all new. This installment of the series has some fairly standard pop hits, with radio staples like “Umbrella” by Rhianna and “Hey there Delilah” by the Plain White Ts making the cut. Also included in SingStar Pop: Volume 2 are popular tracks by Fergie, Maroon 5, Fall Out Boy, and The Dixie Chicks. There is a vast amount of variety here, and there’s sure to be something for everyone, and, more importantly, something everyone can agree upon.

SingStar Pop Vol. 2 screenshot

SingStar Pop: Volume 2 is in effect a clone of it’s predecessors in terms of gameplay and organization; other than the songs, there isn’t much new here. I feel a little disappointed that all the games are so similar, and I wish the SingStar franchise would at least consider including some kind of single-player or story mode akin to the Guitar Hero or Dance Dance Revolution franchises.

SingStar Pop Vol. 2 screenshot

All these music and rhythm-inspired games have established themselves quite well, and it would be nice to see SingStar evolve its gameplay experiences the way these other franchises have managed to. Even a small step would be progress in this genre, and while I don’t expect much innovation in a game that revolves around singing, I can’t help but feel that SingStar is getting a little too comfortable with their formula.

Don’t get me wrong, SingStar: Pop Volume 2 is amazing fun, and singing pop hits with friends and family is sure to result in a good time, but with SingStar it seems like you are never actually buying a new game, just new song packs. If you don’t mind that, then this will be a worthy addition to your collection. But, if you are looking for a completely new SingStar experience, then you may want to look elsewhere.

Don’t get me wrong, SingStar: Pop Volume 2 is amazing fun, and singing pop hits with friends and family is sure to result in a good time, but with SingStar it seems like you are never actually buying a new game, just new song packs. If you don’t mind that, then this will be a worthy addition to your collection. But, if you are looking for a completely new SingStar experience, then you may want to look elsewhere.

RATING OUT OF 5 RATING DESCRIPTION 3.3 Graphics
Visuals are unremarkable and consist of blue music bars in the foreground and music video footage running in the background. 4.0 Control
Pick up the mic and sing! That’s all there is to it! 4.0 Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Tracklist is very good and has music by well-established pop acts like Ashlee Simpson, Michelle Branch, and Matchbox 20. 3.1 Play Value
Aside from the new tracks, SingStar: Pop Hits 2 is the same old song and dance. 3.3 Overall Rating – Fair
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

  • 30 chart-topping songs.
  • Multiple gameplay modes, including Solo, Freestyle, Pass the Mic, Battle, and Duet.
  • SingStar technology accurately recognizes pitch, tone, and rhythm.
  • Record your favorite performances onto a Memory Card for future playback.
  • EyeToy USB camera compatibility.

  • To top