Hey guys! So, we decided to try our hand at playing some Highly Suspect tracks on YARG (Yet Another Rhythm Game), and let me tell you, it was a humbling experience. We love Highly Suspect, their raw energy and unique sound are just incredible, but translating that passion into rhythmic button-mashing? That's a whole different ball game. This article isn’t just about our struggles; it’s about celebrating the challenge, the fun of trying something new, and maybe, just maybe, inspiring you to pick up a virtual guitar (or drums, or bass) and give it a shot yourself. We will discuss our first impressions diving into YARG, what Highly Suspect songs we chose to tackle first, and the hilarious (and sometimes frustrating) moments we encountered along the way. We'll also delve into why Highly Suspect's music, despite its complexity, is so appealing to play on rhythm games, and what makes YARG a worthy platform for experiencing that music in a new way. Think of this as our slightly chaotic, definitely amateur, but utterly enthusiastic journey into the world of virtual rock stardom – or, in our case, virtual rock mediocrity, but with style.
Our First Dive into YARG: What Were We Thinking?
So, there we were, staring at the YARG interface, feeling a mix of excitement and sheer terror. For those of you not in the know, YARG is a fantastic open-source rhythm game, heavily inspired by the Guitar Hero and Rock Band franchises. It’s got a vibrant community, tons of custom songs, and best of all, it’s free! But the learning curve, guys, it's real. We've played rhythm games before, sure, but jumping into YARG with the ambition of tackling Highly Suspect? Maybe we aimed a little high. The initial setup wasn’t too bad – downloading the game, mapping the controls (we opted for keyboard, because controllers are for pros, right?), and browsing the song library. That’s where the fun really began. The sheer volume of tracks available is mind-boggling, but we had a mission: find the Highly Suspect songs and show them who’s boss. Famous last words, I know. We spent a good chunk of time just scrolling through the list, getting increasingly pumped up as we spotted familiar titles. “Lydia,” “Bloodfeather,” “My Name is Human” – the classics! But also some deeper cuts that we were eager to try. The anticipation was building, the adrenaline was pumping… and then we actually started playing. And that’s when reality hit us like a ton of bricks. Or, more accurately, like a flurry of rapidly descending notes that we had absolutely no hope of hitting correctly. The first song we attempted was, let’s just say, a wake-up call. Fingers flailing, faces contorted in concentration, we stumbled our way through the intro, completely missing the first guitar riff. It was a beautiful disaster, and we were instantly hooked. The challenge was on, and we were determined to conquer Highly Suspect on YARG, even if it meant sacrificing our pride (and maybe a few keyboards) along the way. This experience really made us appreciate the dedication and skill of those who can shred on these games. It's not just about knowing the song; it's about having the reflexes and coordination to translate that knowledge into precise button presses. And let’s just say, we have a newfound respect for anyone who can play “Lydia” on expert without breaking a sweat.
Tackling Highly Suspect's Riffs: A Song-by-Song Breakdown of Our Struggles
Okay, let's dive into the nitty-gritty. We're talking song-by-song breakdown of our Highly Suspect YARG escapades. Prepare for tales of woe, moments of near-triumph, and a whole lot of missed notes. First up: "Lydia." Oh, "Lydia," you beautiful, brutal beast. This song is an absolute banger, but those opening riffs? Killer. We chose to start on medium difficulty, thinking we were being smart. We were not. The sheer speed and complexity of the note patterns had us flailing like beached whales. There were moments, brief flashes of hope, where we felt like we were actually nailing it. But then came the chorus, and it all fell apart. The rapid chord changes, the constant strumming – it was just too much. We limped our way through to the end, achieving a score that could generously be described as "pathetic." But hey, we finished! Next, we decided to try "Bloodfeather." Maybe something a little slower, a little more manageable? Nope. "Bloodfeather" might have a slightly more laid-back vibe overall, but those guitar solos? Forget about it. We got completely lost in the sea of notes, our fingers tangling in a way that could only be described as a digital train wreck. There were screams of frustration, groans of defeat, and at least one instance of someone yelling, "I hate this game!" (Followed immediately by, "Okay, let's try it again.") We did have a few glimmers of success with the verses, but the solos were our Everest. We’re not sure we even managed to hit 50% of the notes during those sections. Finally, we decided to tackle "My Name is Human." This one felt a little more forgiving, maybe because it has a more straightforward structure. The main riff is catchy and repetitive, which gave us a fighting chance. We even managed to get through the first chorus without completely embarrassing ourselves! But then came the bridge, with its tricky rhythm changes and unexpected note combinations. And, of course, we crashed and burned. The lesson learned here? Highly Suspect does not mess around. Their songs are challenging, intricate, and require a level of skill that we clearly do not possess. Yet. But that’s the beauty of it, right? The challenge is what makes it fun. And the satisfaction of finally nailing a difficult section? Priceless. We're not giving up yet. We'll be back, Highly Suspect, and we will conquer your YARG chart, one missed note at a time.
Why Highly Suspect's Music Translates (and Doesn't) to Rhythm Games
So, why did we choose Highly Suspect in the first place? Their music is undeniably awesome, but does it really translate well to the rhythm game format? The answer, as with most things, is a complicated one. On one hand, Highly Suspect's songs are packed with the kind of elements that make rhythm games fun: catchy riffs, powerful drums, and dynamic changes in tempo and intensity. Their guitar work, in particular, is a major draw. Johnny Stevens’s unique style, blending bluesy riffs with hard rock energy, creates a sound that’s both familiar and fresh. These riffs translate well to the note highways of YARG, offering plenty of opportunities for finger-flying action. The drumming, too, is a standout feature. Chris Meyer’s driving rhythms and creative fills provide a solid foundation for the songs, and these translate nicely into challenging drum patterns in the game. The dynamic shifts in Highly Suspect's music also add to the appeal. Their songs often move between quiet, introspective verses and explosive choruses, creating a sense of drama that keeps players engaged. This dynamic range is reflected in the note charts, which can vary from simple, steady rhythms to frantic bursts of activity. However, there are also aspects of Highly Suspect's music that make it particularly challenging for rhythm games. Their songs are often quite complex, with unconventional song structures and intricate instrumental arrangements. This complexity can make it difficult to predict the note patterns, leading to plenty of unexpected misses. Stevens's vocal delivery, while incredibly powerful, can also be tricky to translate into a rhythm game context. His phrasing is often unconventional, and his improvisational style can make it difficult to map the vocal lines accurately. The raw, unfiltered energy of Highly Suspect's live performances is also hard to capture in a virtual setting. The band's stage presence and improvisational flair are a big part of their appeal, and these elements are inevitably lost in translation. Despite these challenges, we believe that Highly Suspect's music is ultimately a great fit for rhythm games. The complexity and dynamism of their songs make for a challenging but rewarding experience, and the sheer energy of their music is infectious. Even if we suck at playing it, we still have a blast trying. And that’s what really matters, right? It's about the fun of the challenge, the thrill of the music, and the camaraderie of failing spectacularly together.
YARG: A Worthy Platform for Discovering and Re-Experiencing Music
Beyond the specific challenge of playing Highly Suspect, our YARG experience has highlighted the value of rhythm games as a way to discover and re-experience music. YARG, in particular, stands out as a fantastic platform for this. Its open-source nature means that the song library is constantly growing, thanks to the dedicated community of chart creators. You can find almost any song you can imagine, from mainstream hits to obscure indie gems. This makes it a great way to explore different genres and artists, and to discover new music that you might not otherwise encounter. But even more than discovery, YARG offers a unique way to engage with music you already love. Playing a song on a rhythm game forces you to pay attention to the individual notes and rhythms in a way that simply listening doesn't. You start to notice the nuances of the instrumentation, the subtle variations in the drumming, the interplay between the different parts. This deeper level of engagement can lead to a whole new appreciation for the music. We certainly found this to be the case with Highly Suspect. Playing their songs on YARG made us realize just how intricate and well-crafted their music is. We started to appreciate the individual contributions of each band member, and we gained a new understanding of the complexities of their song structures. YARG also offers a fun and social way to experience music. Playing with friends, either in person or online, can add a whole new dimension to the experience. There's something incredibly satisfying about working together to nail a difficult song, or competing to see who can get the highest score. Even our failures became shared moments of laughter and camaraderie. And let’s be honest, there were a lot of failures. But that’s part of the fun! YARG has given us a new appreciation for music, a new challenge to conquer, and a whole lot of laughs. It’s a reminder that music is meant to be enjoyed, and that even if you’re not a virtuoso, you can still have a blast rocking out to your favorite songs. Whether you're a seasoned rhythm game veteran or a complete newbie, we highly recommend giving YARG a try. You might just discover a new way to connect with the music you love, and you might even surprise yourself with what you can achieve. Just don't be too surprised if you suck at first. We certainly did.
Final Thoughts: We Still Suck, But We're Having Fun!
So, to sum it all up, our journey into playing Highly Suspect on YARG has been a mixed bag. We definitely suck. Like, really suck. But we’ve also had a ton of fun. The challenge of tackling Highly Suspect's complex music has been both frustrating and rewarding. We've learned a lot about the band's music, about rhythm games, and about our own limitations. But most importantly, we've learned that it's okay to suck, as long as you're having a good time. YARG has proven to be a fantastic platform for discovering and re-experiencing music. It’s a reminder that music is meant to be interactive, and that even the most challenging songs can be enjoyed if you approach them with the right attitude. The open-source nature of YARG and its vibrant community make it a truly special platform. The sheer volume of songs available is staggering, and the constant stream of new content ensures that there’s always something new to try. And the ability to play with friends, either in person or online, adds a social dimension that makes the experience even more enjoyable. We’re not giving up on our quest to conquer Highly Suspect on YARG. We'll keep practicing, we'll keep failing, and we'll keep having fun. Maybe one day we'll even be able to play "Lydia" on expert without breaking a sweat. But even if we never reach that level of mastery, we'll still be happy to keep rocking out, one missed note at a time. If you’re looking for a new way to engage with music, we highly recommend giving YARG a try. It’s free, it’s fun, and it’s a great way to discover new artists and songs. And who knows, you might even find that you’re not as terrible as we are. But even if you are, you’ll still have a blast. So, grab your virtual guitar (or drums, or bass), crank up the volume, and get ready to rock. Just don’t blame us when your fingers start cramping.