© Robin Sabbadini for Presse-citron
The world of music video games is currently experiencing an unexpected renaissance. Fortnite Festival revived interest in the genre earlier this year, while Rock Band 4 continues to attract a loyal community.
Faced with this renewed interest, PDP has taken the gamble of launching a new gaming guitar called the Riffmaster. Its goal ? Offer a new guitar for purchase and replace the old Guitar Hero and Rock Band guitars that are seriously starting to show their age.
© Robin Sabbadini for Presse-citron
This guitar comes at just the right time to accompany the wave of nostalgia that is affecting rhythm game fans. With the genre experiencing a slight revival, there was one major problem before the Riffmaster came along: it was impossible to buy a guitar without going through the second-hand market. The PDP instrument's compatibility with Rock Band 4, Fortnite Festival and Clone Hero makes it the guitar of choice for Guitar Hero aficionados.
First contact with the Riffmaster: its sleek design in glossy black gives off a welcome impression of modernity. PDP clearly wanted to move away from the flashy aesthetic of old gaming guitars.
© Robin Sabbadini for Presse-citron
The manufacturer especially had the excellent idea of integrating a foldable handle, a feature that changes the game for storage. No more hassle trying to fit a bulky gaming guitar into a small apartment.
The Riffmaster is surprisingly lightweight. Its plastic body may seem fragile compared to older Guitar Hero guitars, but this lightweight construction allows you to play comfortably for hours without any problems. The included strap contributes to the comfort of use. Overall, the build quality is there.
I mainly tested the Riffmaster on Clone Hero, the free game that perpetuates the legacy of Guitar Hero. Developed by the community, it allows you to play scores created by enthusiasts who feed the software. In its PlayStation version, connecting to a PC via the included 2.4 GHz USB dongle proved to be childishly simple under Windows. Compatibility is immediate, with no complex configuration required.
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© Robin Sabbadini for Presse-citron
From the very first parts, the responsiveness of the fret keys shows its excellence. The five main buttons offer a satisfying tactile feedback, much more precise than on my old Xplorer guitar. PDP has also added five buttons close to the body for the most complex solos to play by tapping. Once the technique is mastered, these additional keys allow you to tackle the most complicated songs.
The point that could divide is the strum bar, or “strum bar” for those in the know. PDP has opted for a quieter mechanism than previous guitars, but at the cost of less tactile feedback. On Clone Hero's fast tracks, this “mushy” sensation can be unsettling for players accustomed to the characteristic click of Guitar Hero guitars. It takes a few hours of play to get used to it, but the neighbors will thank you for it.
© Robin Sabbadini for Presse-citron
The built-in rechargeable battery is a great surprise. I was able to string together over 30 hours of wireless gaming on a single charge. The included USB-C cable also allows for wired gaming while charging.
© Robin Sabbadini for Presse-citron
The Riffmaster comes as a breath of fresh air to the under-represented market gaming guitars. Its arrival comes at just the right time as the old Guitar Hero and Rock Band guitars are showing signs of fatigue after years of good and loyal service. While its price of €150 may seem high at first glance, it is ultimately rather justified given the exorbitant prices charged on the second-hand market.
The real strength of this guitar lies in its ability to modernize the experience while preserving the sensations that made the genre successful. The fret buttons offer remarkable precision that will delight the most demanding players, even if the scratch bar lacks a little character.
The Riffmaster succeeds in rekindling the flame of guitar gaming. Its versatility makes it a relevant investment to fully enjoy Rock Band 4, Fortnite Festival and especially Clone Hero. Guitar Hero fans and newcomers alike will find in her a reliable gaming companion with champion autonomy.
If you want to rediscover the unique sensations of guitar games or discover this legendary genre, this is probably the best solution here.
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