DESCRIPTION

Konami's celebrated crooning series continues its affiliation with television's American Idol in this feature-filled follow-up. Forty classic and contemporary songs from the '70s, '80s, and '90s are featured, with hits made popular by such artists as Fergie, Gladys Knight, Cutting Crew, and Billy Joel. As in previous Karaoke Revolution games, players attempt to match each song's pitch and phrasing using a USB microphone (sold separately). Points are awarded each time a note is hit and held for the proper duration, with bonus multipliers awarded for stringing together successful combos. Up to eight players are supported in various party modes, where teams or individuals challenge each other for top performances.

After creating a custom singing persona from multiple head, body, clothing, and accessory choices, players will test their vocal skills in venues based on the hit show. While American Idol Encore introduces several new accessories, the biggest surprise is the inclusion of judge Paula Abdul, who was not featured in 2007's game. Adjustable difficulty levels are also available for melody makers of all abilities, and by mastering each challenge setting, players can unlock bonuses such as new characters, tunes, and outfits. Among the featured songs are "Irreplaceable," "Black Hole Sun," "September," "You're Beautiful," and "Unfaithful." Both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions also support online song downloads for a nominal fee. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide