Editing Gitaroo Man

{{Short description|2001 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Gitaroo Man
| image = [[File:Gitaroo_Man_Cover_Art.png|250px|Gitaroo Man]]
| caption = North American [[PlayStation 2|PS2]] box art
| developer = [[iNiS]]
| publisher = [[Koei]]
| director = Yukio Shimomura
| designer = [[Keiichi Yano (video game designer)|Keiichi Yano]]
| composer = {{ubl|COIL|Tomohiro Harada|YUAN}}
| released = {{plainlist|
*'''PlayStation 2'''<br />{{vgrelease|JP|June 21, 2001|NA|February 18, 2002|EU|June 21, 2002}}
*'''PlayStation Portable'''<br />{{vgrelease|JP|June 8, 2006}}{{vgrelease|EU|September 29, 2006}}{{vgrelease|NA|November 14, 2006}}
}}
| genre = [[Music game|Music]]
| modes = [[Single-player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]]
| platforms = [[PlayStation 2]], [[PlayStation Portable]]
| artist = [[Kotaro Umeji]], [[Mitsuru Nakamura]]
}}

'''''Gitaroo Man'''''{{efn|{{nihongo||ギタルマン|Gitaru Man}}}} is a [[rhythm game|rhythm]] [[video game]] developed by [[iNiS]] and published by [[Koei]] for [[PlayStation 2]]. The game features visual production by [[Mitsuru Nakamura]] and an original soundtrack by Japanese band COIL. The game was released in Japan on June 21, 2001, in North America on February 18, 2002 and in Europe on June 21, 2002. A port of the game for [[PlayStation Portable]], titled ''Gitaroo Man Lives!''{{efn|Known as {{nihongo|''Gitaroo Man Live!''|ギタルマンライブ!|Gitaru Man Raibu!}} in Japan}}, was released in 2006.

==Story==
''Gitaroo Man'' follows a young boy named U-1{{efn|Pronounced "Yuuichi" in the Japanese version and "you-one" in the English version}} who is often picked on by his rival Kazuya and passed over by the girl of his dreams, Pico. One day, as U-1 is suddenly attacked, his talking dog Puma transforms and gives him a weapon known as the Last Gitaroo, which transforms U-1 into the legendary warrior Gitaroo Man. After defeating many enemies, sent by Prince Zowie of the Gravillian Empire, and obtaining their Gitaroos, Puma brings a reluctant U-1 to Planet Gitaroo, which had been invaded by the Gravillian Empire. Upon arriving there, U-1 befriends a girl named Kirah, only to later discover that she is Zowie's gladiator. Refusing to fight her, U-1 uses the power of music to convince Kirah to stand up against Zowie. Obtaining all eight Gitaroos, U-1 becomes the True Gitaroo Man and defeats Zowie, after which he returns home as a more confident person.

==Gameplay==
[[Image:Gitarooman.image1.jpg|thumb|left|An example of ''Gitaroo Man's'' charge mode]]

''Gitaroo Man'' is a rhythm game in which the player character, U-1, faces against various opponents in musical battles. In each level, both the player and opponent has a life bar, with the player tasked with depleting the opponent's life bar and reaching the end of the song without running out of life. With some exceptions, each level consists of three main phases; Charge, Attack, and Guard, followed by the Harmony and End phases at the end of the level. During the Charge and Attack phases, players follow a "trace line" using the analog stick, upon which red "phase bars" will appear. By pressing and holding down the button at the start of a phase, timing it to its appearance at the center of the screen, and releasing the button at the end, the player plays music. In the Charge phase, successful notes restore the player's health, whereas in the Attack phase, successful notes damage the opponents whilst missed notes will hurt the player. During the guard phase, players must hit corresponding buttons as they reach the center of the screen to avoid attacks from the opponent, taking damage should they miss. Unlike the player's life, which ends the game if depleted, the opponent's life bar indicates the progress of the player. Most levels are split up into different sections, which can have multiple variations on each playthrough, and the player must damage the opponent enough to move onto the next section. Otherwise, they will have to repeat the section until enough damage is dealt. At the end of a level, players play through the Harmony phase, which is similar to the Attack phase, and keep on playing til the End phase, at which point the player will no longer take damage. After each level, players are given a rank based on their performance, with good ranks earning items for the collection, which unlocks character bios.

Masters' Play is an additional mode unlocked after clearing the game once. In this mode, gameplay is harder as more complex notes appear, the "trace line" becomes more complex with more twists and turns and thus harder to follow and players take more damage from mistakes. Versus Mode is a game for up four players, where players battle against each other in two teams playing Gitaroo Man's parts and his opponent's parts respectively. Not all songs are available in the mode, and some songs are altered to provide better balance for both players compared to the single player mode. The PSP version additionally features Duet Mode, in which two players can play co-operatively ad hoc in two exclusive new levels; "Metal Header" and "Toda Pasion".
==Soundtrack==
The ''Gitaroo Man Original Soundtrack'' is an audio CD released in 2001, containing the majority of the songs found in the PS2 video game ''Gitaroo Man''. While it is missing the background music played during the Collection viewing and the Masters' Play versions of songs, it does have four "Ropeland" remixes of certain stages.

{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="clear:none; font-size:90%; padding:0 auto; width:48%; margin:auto"
! colspan="2" | ''Gitaroo Man Original Soundtrack'' track listing
|-
| valign="top" | '''Disc 1''' (62:03)
#"Soft Machine (Opening Theme)" – 4:15
#"Boogie for an Afternoon" – 2:01
#"Twisted Reality" – 3:28
#"Flyin' To Your Heart" – 3:59
#"'Bee' Jam Blues" – 4:22
#"VOID" – 1:55
#"Nuff Respect featuring 'NAHKI'" – 4:51
#"The Legendary Theme (Acoustic Version)" – 2:39
#"Born To Be Bone" – 3:45
#"Tainted Lovers" – 4:07
#"Overpass" – 1:51
#"The Legendary Theme (Album Version)" – 3:20
#"Resurrection" – 3:55
#"21 Century Boy (Ending Theme)" – 3:05
#"Bonus: Twisted Reality (Ropeland Mix)" – 3:30
#"Bonus: The Legendary Theme (Acoustic Version – Ropeland Mix)" – 2:37
#"Bonus: The Legendary Theme (Album Version – Ropeland Mix)" – 3:22
#"Bonus: Resurrection (Ropeland Mix)" – 4:01
|}

==Release==
{{nihongo|'''''Gitaroo Man One'''''|ギタルマン ワン|Gitaru Man Wan}}, a budget trial version of the game, was released prior to the full game's Japanese launch, on April 5, 2001.<ref>[https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B00005OUUI Amazon.co.jp： 先行マキシシングル ギタルマン ワン: ゲーム<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> It features the original [[Tokyo Game Show|TGS]] trailer, alternate versions of some of the game's songs, an art gallery mode, and a mini game starring Puma. Each copy also included three [[Trading card|collectible cards]] with which players could play [[rock paper scissors]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Benfield|first=Lee|date=2017-08-23|title=Gitaroo Man|url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/gitaroo-man/|access-date=2021-12-20|website=Hardcore Gaming 101|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-12-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220113326/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/gitaroo-man/|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[THQ]] handled distribution of the title in Europe as part of a four-game deal with Koei.<ref>https://www.eurogamer.net/article-45492</ref>

===''Gitaroo Man Lives!''===
'''''Gitaroo Man Lives!''''', known in Japan as {{nihongo|'''''Gitaroo Man Live!'''''|ギタルマン ライブ！|Gitaru Man Raibu!}}, is a port of the game released for the [[PlayStation Portable]] in Japan on June 8, 2006, in Europe on September 29, 2006, and in North America on November 14, 2006. Along with local Ad-Hoc multiplayer and additional difficulty options, the game adds a new Duet mode, in which two players control Gitaroo Man and Kirah in two exclusive new stages, "Metal Header" and "Toda Pasión". These levels may also be played alone if the handheld's Ad-Hoc is activated.

== Reception ==
{{Video game reviews
| title = ''Gitaroo Man'' (and ''Lives!'')
| na = true
<!-- Reviewers -->| PS2 = true
| PSP = true
| GSpot_PS2 = 8.7/10<ref name="GSpotPS2">{{Cite web|last=Davis|first=Ryan|date=February 14, 2002|title=Gitaroo-Man Review|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/gitaroo-man-review/1900-2847915/|access-date=June 20, 2022|website=[[GameSpot]]|archive-date=June 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620183627/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/gitaroo-man-review/1900-2847915/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| GSpot_PSP = 7.7/10<ref name="GSpotPSP">{{Cite web|last=Davis|first=Ryan|date=November 30, 2006|title=Gitaroo-Man Lives! Review|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/gitaroo-man-lives/1900-6162549/|access-date=June 20, 2022|website=[[GameSpot]]|archive-date=June 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620183626/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/gitaroo-man-lives/1900-6162549/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| IGN_PS2 = 8.5/10<ref name="IGNPS2">{{Cite web|last=Smith|first=David|date=February 25, 2002|title=Gitaroo-Man Review|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/02/25/gitaroo-man-review|access-date=June 20, 2022|website=[[IGN]]|archive-date=June 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620183627/https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/02/25/gitaroo-man-review|url-status=live}}</ref>
| IGN_PSP = 8.4/10<ref name="IGNPSP">{{Cite web|last=Castro|first=Juan|date=December 5, 2006|title=Gitaroo-Man Lives! Review|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/12/05/gitaroo-man-lives-review|access-date=June 20, 2022|website=[[IGN]]|archive-date=June 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620183626/https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/12/05/gitaroo-man-lives-review|url-status=live}}</ref>
| GI_PS2 = 9/10<ref name="GIPS2">{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|title=Gitaroo Man|date=March 2002|issue=107|page=78}}</ref>
| GI_PSP = 9/10<ref name="GIPSP">{{Cite web|last=Kato|first=Matthew|title=Gitaroo-Man Lives|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/BD5D13D3-F87E-4067-B068-45217EF7F72A.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070129060224/https://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/BD5D13D3-F87E-4067-B068-45217EF7F72A.htm |archive-date=2007-01-29 |access-date=June 20, 2022|url-status=dead|website=[[GameRevolution]]}}</ref>
| GPRO_PS2 = 4.5/5<ref name="GPROPS2">{{Cite magazine|last=Spell|first=Miss|date=February 19, 2002|title=Gitaroo-Man Review|url=http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/20720.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050324011118/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/20720.shtml |archive-date=2005-03-24 |access-date=June 20, 2022|magazine=[[GamePro]]}}</ref>
| GPRO_PSP = 4.5/5<ref name="GPROPSP">{{Cite magazine|last=thecosmos|first=ifeel|date=November 17, 2006|title=Gitaroo-Man Lives!|url=http://www.gamepro.com/sony/psp/games/reviews/88209.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071113143844/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/psp/games/reviews/88209.shtml |archive-date=2007-11-13 |access-date=June 20, 2022|magazine=[[GamePro]]}}</ref>
| GSpy_PS2 = 85/100<ref name="GSpyPS2">{{Cite web|last=Osborne|first=Scott|date=March 22, 2002|title=Gitaroo-Man Review|url=http://www.planetps2.com/features/reviews/2002/gitarooman/index2.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041220211248/http://www.planetps2.com/features/reviews/2002/gitarooman/index2.shtml |archive-date=2004-12-20 |access-date=June 20, 2022|website=[[GameSpy]]}}</ref>
| GSpy_PSP = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="GSpyPSP">{{Cite web|last=Theobald|first=Phil|date=November 14, 2006|title=Gitaroo-Man Lives! Review|url=http://psp.gamespy.com/playstation-portable/gitaroo-man/746039p1.html|access-date=June 20, 2022|website=[[GameSpy]]|archive-date=October 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024065842/http://psp.gamespy.com/playstation-portable/gitaroo-man/746039p1.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
| Play_PS2 = 8/10<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Play (UK magazine)]]|title=Gitaroo Man|date=March 2002|issue=3|page=43}}</ref>
| Play_PSP = 7.9/10<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Play (UK magazine)]]|title=Gitaroo Man|date=September 2006|issue=144|page=78}}</ref>
| EuroG_PSP = 7/10<ref name="EuroGPSP">{{Cite web|last=Reed|first=Kristan|date=July 6, 2006|title=Gitaroo-Man Lives! Review|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/ir-gitaroolives-psp|access-date=June 20, 2022|website=[[Eurogamer]]|archive-date=June 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620183626/https://www.eurogamer.net/ir-gitaroolives-psp|url-status=live}}</ref>
| GameRev_PSP = {{Rating|7|10}}<ref name="GameRev">{{Cite web|last=Hurh|first=JP|date=November 16, 2006|title=Gitaroo-Man Lives! Review|url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/37679-gitaroo-man-lives-review|access-date=June 20, 2022|website=[[GameRevolution]]|archive-date=June 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620183626/https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/37679-gitaroo-man-lives-review|url-status=live}}</ref>
| VG_PSP = 7/10<ref name="VGPSP">{{Cite web|last=Orry|first=Tom|date=October 9, 2006|title=Gitaroo-Man Lives! Review|url=https://www.videogamer.com/reviews/gitaroo-man-lives-review/|access-date=June 20, 2022|website=VideoGamer.com}}</ref>
| PG_PSP = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="PGPSP">{{Cite web|last=Parkin|first=Simon|date=October 6, 2006|title=Gitaroo-Man Lives!|url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/gitaroo-man-lives/gitaroo-man-lives/|access-date=June 20, 2022|website=[[GameSpy]]|archive-date=June 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620183626/https://www.pocketgamer.com/gitaroo-man-lives/gitaroo-man-lives/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| MC_PS2 = 82/100<ref name="MCPS2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/gitaroo-man/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2|title=Gitaroo Man for PlayStation 2 Reviews|website=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=June 20, 2022|archive-date=June 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620183626/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/gitaroo-man|url-status=live}}</ref>
| MC_PSP = 80/100<ref name="MCPSP">{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/gitaroo-man-lives/critic-reviews/?platform=psp|title=Gitaroo Man Lives! for PSP Reviews|website=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=June 20, 2022|archive-date=June 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620183627/https://www.metacritic.com/game/psp/gitaroo-man-lives!|url-status=live}}</ref>
| GRadar_PSP = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="GRadarPSP">{{Cite web|last=Sewart|first=Greg|date=October 24, 2006|title=Gitaroo-Man Lives! Review|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/gitaroo-man-lives-review/|access-date=June 20, 2022|website=[[GamesRadar]]|archive-date=June 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620183626/https://www.gamesradar.com/gitaroo-man-lives-review/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| GameZone_PS2 = 9/10<ref name="GZPS2">{{Cite web|last=McElfish|first=Carlos|date=March 8, 2002|title=Gitaroo-Man Review|url=http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r19223.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050827140343/http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r19223.htm |archive-date=2005-08-27 |access-date=June 20, 2022|website=GameZone}}</ref>
| GameZone_PSP = 8.6/10<ref name="GZPSP">{{Cite web|last=jkdmedia|first=GameZone|title=Gitaroo-Man Lives! - PSP - Review|url=https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/gitaroo_man_lives_psp_review/|access-date=June 20, 2022|website=GameZone|date=4 May 2012|archive-date=20 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620183629/https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/gitaroo_man_lives_psp_review/|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}

According to the game's designer [[Keiichi Yano (video game designer)|Keiichi Yano]], the game was commercially successful in the United States, where it sold more copies than it did in Japan.<ref>{{cite book | title=Power-Up: How Japanese Video Games Gave the World an Extra Life | publisher=BradyGames |location=Indianapolis, IN |last=Kohler |first=Chris | year=2004 | page=236 | isbn=978-0-7440-0424-3 |url=https://archive.org/details/poweruphowjapane0000kohl/page/236 |url-access=registration}}</ref>

''[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]'' awarded the game a score of 7 out of 10;<ref name="edge-review">{{cite magazine|author=Anon. ''Edge'' staff|title=Gitarooman|date=September 2001|issue=101|magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]|publisher=[[Future Publishing|Future plc]]|location=[[Bath, Somerset|Bath]]|page=83}}</ref> the game was later included in that magazine's staff- and reader-voted "Top 100 Games" list published in July 2007.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.edge-online.com/features/edges-top-100-games-all-time|author=''Edge'' staff|title=Edge's Top 100 Games of All Time|date=2 July 2007|magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]|publisher=[[Future Publishing|Future plc]]|accessdate=2 April 2012|archive-date=16 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616065128/http://www.edge-online.com/features/edges-top-100-games-all-time|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite a number of positive reviews, the North American and European versions of ''Gitaroo Man'' were produced in very low quantities by Koei and, as a result, have become somewhat rare; it is regarded as a cult video game.{{Citation needed|date=November 2010}} Around November 2005 in North America, copies of ''Gitaroo Man'' began popping up in [[GameStop]] game stores. This was due to a reprint by GameQuestDirect, similar to their previous reprints of PlayStation RPGs ''[[Persona 2: Eternal Punishment|Persona 2]]'' and ''[[Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure]]'', both of which were previously very rare. The game was also reissued in Europe around this time.

Blake Fischer reviewed the PlayStation 2 version of the game for ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'', rating it four stars out of five, and stated that "The genius here isn't in any bold gameplay innovations; it's that it delivers a fun, well-rounded package that is beautifully crafted."<ref name="NG">{{cite magazine|last=Fischer|first=Blake|title=Finals|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|volume=4|issue=11|publisher=[[Future US|Imagine Media]]|date=November 2001|page=105}}</ref> It was a runner-up for ''GameSpot''{{'}}s annual "Best Music on PlayStation 2" and "Best Game No One Played on PlayStation 2" awards.<ref name=bestworst2002>{{cite web | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20030207155400/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/ | url=http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/ | title=''GameSpot''{{'}}s Best and Worst of 2002 | author=''GameSpot'' Staff | date=December 30, 2002 | work=[[GameSpot]] | archivedate=February 7, 2003 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Awards===
*Received [[IGN]]'s award for Best PSP Music Game of 2006.<ref>{{Cite web|title=IGN.com presents The Best of 2006|url=http://bestof.ign.com/2006/psp/9.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070109234733/http://bestof.ign.com/2006/psp/9.html|archive-date=2007-01-09|access-date=2021-12-20|website=IGN}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/469029.asp ''Gitaroo Man''] at [[GameRankings]]
*[http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/ps2/data/469029.html ''Gitaroo Man''] at [[GameFAQs]]
*{{IMDb title|0330329}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:2001 video games]]
[[Category:Guitar video games]]
[[Category:Koei games]]
[[Category:Liona Interactive games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:Music video games]]
[[Category:PlayStation 2 games]]
[[Category:PlayStation Portable games]]
[[Category:THQ games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Video games set on fictional planets]]