Let's go shopping!
Music shops are also where you can buy equipment and supplies to create the perfect band. There are three shop categories for each instrument, equipment, supplies and effects. Initially you’ll probably only be able to afford a guitar and a amp, but as you gain more money you’ll be able to purchase effects pedals, drum sticks, drum heads, guitar strings and numerous other items that add to the sound of your band. You’ll also be able to recruit musicians for your band from the list of local wannabees who are advertising.
Any new band members that you recruit will also need to have equipment and they also display the same skills and attributes as your main character. Although you can’t distirbte skill points between your group, your actions do affect the whole groups happiness and a number of other attributes. The more band members you recruit the more money you’ll have to fork out, the harder you’ll need to work and the harder you’ll have to practice.
Click for larger imageOther places of interest include recording studios where you can record your tunes, place them onto a CD, release the album and sit back and pray that it will hit the top spot. It’s simply a matter of clicking on the required options rather than anything complicated. The actual skill of the game is in balancing all of these tasks in the correct manner to maximise the band’s talent, thus creating a harmonious atmosphere and a successful band.
This goes for hiring producers, buying new outfits for the band and attending gigs. All of these things cost money but also provides the EXP needed to reach the next level. There’s no point hiring a producer when you’ve only wrote one song, or spending all your money on the latest equipment when you can’t afford it. It’s a gradual progression where you’ll learn from your mistakes
All of these actions mentioned are carried out through clearly presented menus with relvant icons. For example, you can view the entertainment guide at any point which tells you which bands are playing in the week. Click on that band and you’ll book your tickets for the gig. These menus also show you band info so you can kick members out, change or repair their equipment or just view their stats.
The action part of the game is in travelling to and fro your house to the various locations and taking part in paid work through mini-missions.
There are a number of ways to earn money to buy equipment, record Cd’s, hire a manager or pay for the lads to hit the town. As you drive past buildings you’ll see a number of shops, venues or studios looking to hire someone. By simply entering the building you can choose whether to take up the offer of employment. By carrying out simple tasks that range from delivering paperwork from point A to point B, to collecting a set amount of zines in a pre-determined time frame, you’ll earn much needed cash. Only one job can be taken per day, so it’s worth looking around for higher paid jobs. There’s also the chance to do some landscaping work around the local parks for some cash in hand, although you will lose happiness points as a result.
Click for larger imageThis is where Shady O Grady’s Rising Star succeeds. Every action that you take will have an effect on your individual band members, the bands morale and your own skills and overall happiness. For example, watch a local band performing and morale and happiness will be boosted as well as you gaining friendships with local bands and venues (ideal for when you wish to book a gig with them). Practice too hard and you’ll break the strings on your new bass guitar and have to visit the shop to purchase some new ones. Each activity flows into the next in a logical manner.
As already mentioned, the only action that takes place in Shady O Grady’s Rising Star is the driving aspect. Every other function is carried out by following on-screen prompts such as ‘Buy T-shorts, or ‘practice’, apart from one thing, writing songs.