Guitar Praise
© 2008 Digital Praise, Inc.
Included in this fall's rush of Guitar-Hero inspired programs, this is something to spice up the Sunday School curriculum. Guitar Praise ($100, www.digitalpraise.com, now in stores) includes one wireless guitar (extras are $70 each) and a receiver that plugs into the USB port of your Macintosh or Windows computer. After you install the software, you choose from 52 contemporary Christian songs, from bands like tobyMac, Skillet and Stellar Kart. Like other Guitar Hero-like titles, the songs start easy and get harder. We tested the first level and found it easy -- even young children will experience success. The game operation is familiar -- match moving notes on the screen by moving the strum bar along with one of five color-coded buttons on the fretboard, at the exact instant. If you miss-time a note, you hear a clunk and loose points. The program works as you'd expect -- higher scores are rewarded with more songs or guitar effects; plus high scores can be saved online, providing you have an Internet connection. We didn't take the time to unlock the hardest levels, so we can't tell you about the suitability for seasoned Guitar Hero or Rock Band players. Features include the ability to turn on/off the lyrics, a tilt feature to activate a spinner (a feature familar to any Guitar Hero fan), a two-player mode, including the ability to distract your opponent. The guitar requires four AA batteries. We tested the Macintosh version, and had one minor complaint -- once you're in a song it is hard to escape (you have to press the Escape key on the keyboard). Your mouse and other keyboard keys are locked. Guitar Hero in church? Now that's a no brainer!
$100, Windows, Mac OSX
Teaches: music, fine motor coordination
CTR Rating: 90%