Free Bird in Guitar Hero II
by Kyle Orland 
{ Aug 23rd 2006 at 12:25PM }
In the original Guitar Hero, one of the loading screen tips warned potential rock gods, "They don't really want you to play Free Bird. They're just heckling you." I guess the guys at Harmonix didn't take the tip to heart, though, because a new video has surfaced showing that the Lynyrd Skynyrd classic "Free Bird" will be playable in Guitar Hero II.This comes on the heels of a recent revelation that Guns N' Roses' "Sweet Child of Mine" will be in the game and brings the number of songs confirmed for the game to 14. Can a full list of all 55 songs be far off? Check out the video after the jump.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Matt @ Aug 23rd 2006 12:32PM
Lord knows I cant change..... my feelings of excitement for this game. After playing every song on the last game i am in desperate need of a new set list.
I still would like some more 90's alternative Soungarden, Pearl Jam, Nirvana etc.
Seifer @ Aug 23rd 2006 12:34PM
o O
That last section of Free Bird looks nuts. Can't wait to try it.
KR @ Aug 23rd 2006 12:35PM
Holy crap...now when someone yells "FREEBIRD!!!" you can ACTUALLY DO IT.
Shaping up to be a strong candidate for GOTY so far.
Kai @ Aug 23rd 2006 12:38PM
What are the odds
Just busted out my GH guitar after a wee bit of not playing due to chronic finger fatigue (>.
Komrade Kayce @ Aug 23rd 2006 12:39PM
Now THIS is the BEST Guitar Hero II news I've heard since 'War Pigs'. They officially just sold the game to me, with that track.
GunForHire @ Aug 23rd 2006 12:39PM
Sweeeeet!!! I love Freebird!
And wow, look how hard the little end riff is! That's going to be a hard one to nail...
Matthew Skinner-Thebo @ Aug 23rd 2006 12:40PM
But will it -definitely- come out for the Xbox360 / Wii? That's what we need to know! Well, me anyhow.
Lynx34 @ Aug 23rd 2006 12:43PM
I wonder if this might be a part of a new headliner like "Facemelters" etc. was in GH1: Epics. I mean seriously, its a ten minute song. I'd have to take a break or two in between just to finish. Just imagine failing it real close to the end. Especially with the 5 minute solo. I had trouble with Bark at the Moon's solo which was what, like 30 seconds long?
vidGuy @ Aug 23rd 2006 1:05PM
This is amazing news, but it really solidifies the need for a practice mode that allows you to choose which portion of the song to play through. As long as that is in there, I'll die when I get this game, it'll be so good.
DanZuke @ Aug 23rd 2006 1:12PM
Could it really be a ten minute version? Isn't there a radio or single version that's more likely to be used?
and btw, am I the only one that just completly sucks on the hammer-ons and pull-offs? I don't even bother trying... I've beat most of expert with out them but someof those riffs are just impossible
obo @ Aug 23rd 2006 1:21PM
I hope it's an unlockable. In fact, I it's unlocked the first time you completely fail out of a hard song.
Someone in the crowd yells "HAY PLAY FREEBIRD, LOSER! YOU SUCK" and then it rolls right into Freebird and everybody leaves.
crono141 @ Aug 23rd 2006 1:24PM
definitely needs a practice mode.
Desperately!
dvnt @ Aug 23rd 2006 1:30PM
Thank you Harmonix! It wouldn't be true guitar goodness without Freebird. You just have to have it.
Vin @ Aug 23rd 2006 1:42PM
Truly awsome news. I like the 70's trip effect to that came across in parts of the video. Maybe there's an LSD meter thats unlockable as well.
TheReborn @ Aug 23rd 2006 1:54PM
Does guitar hero mirror the way you actually play guitar? I've never played the first as you could probably tell, but I can play guitar. I just wondered :P
Matt Z @ Aug 23rd 2006 1:57PM
They better include the full, 9:08 "Outtake" version of the song. I really don't like the 4 minute "radio" version because it loses the magic.
Have it be some "endurance" type deal or something cause cutting the song down would just cheapen it.
DanZuke @ Aug 23rd 2006 2:13PM
I agree MattZ about the shortened version.. I'm just wondering about such a long song alongside 3 minute ones..
what's next? In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida in a drum game? the songs a half hour long and has a ten minute drum solo
vidGuy @ Aug 23rd 2006 2:23PM
@TheReborn,
I've played electric, acoustic, and classical guitar for 6 years. Guitar Hero does not "mirror" the way you play guitar (there's only 5 fret buttons), and it certainly won't teach someone guitar, but it does a great job mimic-ing it for a video game. The game is easy to pick up (the easiest mode can be played with only 3 fret buttons), but the real beauty is that it can make you feel like you are playing with the band. You have a strum bar that allows you to down pick or alternate pick, and with the Star Power meter at full, tipping the guitar upwards activates a higher multiplier, giving you a better score. It's all a great deal of fun, and it captures the essence of guitar playing without requiring players to have good technical skills.
All Your Lost Socks @ Aug 23rd 2006 2:53PM
True that, VidGuy. It can even be kind of confusing for someone who plays string instruments, at first XD I play bass guitar, electric guitar, and the violin proficiently). Listening to the music, my fingers want to find those pitches where they normally would be on asuch an instrument, and sometimes I would whack the wrong spot because of it. But after a few minutes I picked it right up. GOD I LOVE THIS GAME.
Geoff @ Aug 23rd 2006 8:27PM
First Killing In The Name by RATM, then this.
I really hope there is an endurance mode for this. The full versions of those two songs would rock.
Although my fingers would hurt. C'est la vie.
Geoffrey @ Aug 24th 2006 1:09PM
DUDE Play Some FreeBird!!!
freeside @ Aug 24th 2006 5:02PM
Not to rain on anyone's parade, but I think the video looks doctored. I say this for a few reasons:
1. The font for "FREE BIRD / AS MADE FAMOUS BY / LYNYRD SKYNYRD" is different from the typical font used in Guitar Hero and other Guitar Hero II videos on YouTube. Compare with http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6wpXB46Ac8
2. The title says "AS MADE FAMOUS BY" which implies the song would be a cover. However, the video is playing a cut up version of the original song.
3. There is very little footage of the actual gameplay with notes, which could possibly be taken from another song. It's strange that there are weird lens flares during these segments.
Just a few things to think about. I'm not suggesting that Free Bird isn't going to be in the game, just that the video is a little sketchy.