'Seven45 Studios' valiantly wants to teach gamers how to rock. With their one two combination we are going to see if 'Power Gig: Rise of the SixString' passes the Pete Townshend test.

'Power Gig: Rise of The SixString' success relies on two factors coming together to form one solid package; the strength of game (there is a lot of competition on this front) and the strength of the peripheral, which is a “real” guitar, well a “real-plastic” guitar that you pick or strum just like a real guitarist. "Real" is the optimal word here, because its all real, real pick, real authenticity. However, this "real" doesn't translate to the game. 'Power Gig' might win you over with its glossy packaging, but once its all opened and ready to rock, it fails.

No tuner, No gig!
The first issue with 'Power Gig' is that it doesn't have a built in tuner. Not in the software, not built into the guitar. So unless you know how to tune a guitar, this thing is going to sound awful and in no way come close to matching the real deal. A built in tuner of some sorts would have been perfect, so at least you could start at ground zero, tuning. Secondly even when the guitar is tuned up, its shoddy construction will cause it to go out of tune easily. Don't even think about bending a string. The action is too high, the fret scale too close, and list of issues go on, it's really disappointing.

As a controller, the guitar design is fairly sturdy with the guitars parts possed as buttons, like the volume and tone knobs as 'start' and 'select.' There is also a guide button and a D-Pad for navigation and a Xbox button for turning on your system. Your coloured buttons are the frets and the there is an odd analog stick that doesn't work as an analog stick, just as a “mojo power” activator (mojo=star power). Lastly, the neck pick-up (called Strumlock) can be lowered and raised to mute the strings. Muting the strings shouldn't be the way you want to play the game, but in this case with all of tracking issues and un-tuned guitar, you will want to leave the pick-up up, which defeats doesn't help anyone.

Power chord me
The gameplay is "Guitar Hero 101," and aside from the “power chord” (a two noted chord) you don't learn much about music, except for the number of strings (1-6) and the numbers for each finger (1-4)... woo! Right here you should make your purchase decision. If your like me and expected 'Power Gig' to be a fun bridge between teaching guitar and a game, its not that, and you won't learn a thing. You're really better off with a instructional book and a pawn shop guitar, it would cost the same.

At least it has the Hip
As a straight up 'Guitar Hero' clone, 'Power Gig' is passable... but just barely. Nothing about its “career” styled mode and “set list” play is interesting and the production, well, lets not even go there. The most redeeming quality about 'Power Gig' is the set list. The artists featured here are some of the biggest names in rock including Kid Rock, Smashing Pumpkins, Rage Against the Machine along with some excellent guitar players like Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton and John Mayer (yes, John Mayer is good on the guitar.) I'm proud to say even Canadian iconic band 'The Tragically Hip' have made it onto the list, which is pretty cool for all the Hip fans... too bad about the game. Nevertheless, you can tune these up with your “other” controller and have a little bit of fun. It's not memorable, but it will pass the time.

I love most games, especially music games. However, nothing could make me recommend 'Power Gig' to the masses. The system is simply broken and can't live up to anyone's expectations. The only redeeming quality is pulling out an old plastic buttoned guitar from another publisher and giving 'Power Gig' a go. Then it is at least playable, but not overly enjoyable. It is saddening to think that some aspiring musicians might be turned off of music because of this atrocity. Sorry 'Power Gig,' in concept we love it, execution... Townshend smash away!

Editor's Note: **Power Gig: Rise of the SixString score reflects the Game + Guitar combo. Not the full band kit.

Can use “button guitars” from other games Some good songs here, including the Tragically Hip At least they tried?! Horrible execution, both game and peripheral Graphically lacking Poorly made guitar, you won't be strumming this afterwards Might detour non-musicians from learning an instrument Simply doesn't work like it should Quote: "I love most games, especially music games. However, nothing could make me recommend 'Power Gig' to the masses. The system is simply broken and can't live up to anyone's expectations. Sorry 'Power Gig,' in concept we love it, execution... Townshend smash away!" Reviewed by Tinnanski | 11.05.10

Similar Games: Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock (8.0) | Beatles: Rock Band (9.2)