Great for Partying, Decent Single Player
The soundtrack is a solid collection especially with some of the classics, but missing arguably the two biggest names in hip hop today (Jay-Z and Eminem) Sure they were involved in launching the DJ Hero Franchise but so what?.
One other disapointment as far as the tracklist goes, the game for whatever reason wants you to only get songs with music videos. Lets hope some ARTIST BASED DLC packs come out. Even if it were straight Kereoke with just words on the screen is better than not including some rappers best tracks.
Finally the censorship, while the industry can sell these records to anyone the game itself cant have a parental advisory symbol and do the same. The main problem here is some of the censored versions can mess up your flow and there for your performance. Some songs will have 2 or 3 completley different lines throwing your timing off.
PROS:
* Solid Soundtrack
* Great Multiplayer
* Good Measure of Lyrics Captured
* DLC
* Great Party game
* Easy pick up and play
CONS:
* Censorship
* Short Single player mode
* No Concert with an avatar or Character
* Timing as a catagory should only be on verses not Chorus' (especially on Higher Difficulty)
* Pitch Catagory unecessary
CONCLUSION:
Def Jam Rapstar is a solid Debut, Its fun especially with friends. Soundtrack is good (although could be expanded) the grades you recieve are usually accurate minus a few too many Mics Given for just knowing timing and pitch as opposed to the critical part of any rap song (lyrics).
But its still fun none the less, if youre a hip hop fanatic and love a good time this is a must own. If you just like music games you might be on the fence at first but after an hour or so you will end up turning into a bit of an MC :)