I can't write my review from the perspective of a 12-year-old casual fan because that's not who I am.
Wow, talk about an insult to those of us who actually really enjoy the game (which includes other reviewers that enjoyed the game who are most likely not 12 year olds). Way to generalize and take respectful criticism of your review and openly insult (at least that is how it came across). I can understand if I was getting nasty like some have in the past but to make such a disparaging remark to my comments (and others) in this context seems a bit below you. Did you honestly have to include the 12 year old remark? I could understand if you said you can't write it from a casual fan/players perspective but to pigeon hole them into an age group reminds me of all the "only kiddys like Nintendo games", except in this context it is seems to mean, whether you meant it or not, to insult people who think Guitar Hero On Tour is a great rhythm game for the DS.
Now in regards to comparing console with handheld, I would say if you are talking about PS2 vs PSP you may have a valid point. When you are comparing a franchise that HAS to do things differently on a handheld, seems weak to me. You need to judge the game solely on its own merits and what it was trying to achieve. Better yet compare it with similar experiences on the DS itself, how does it compare with Elite Beat Agents? That seems to be a more accurate comparison than trying to compare it to franchise iterations whose focuses were on big peripherals with a large screen, and audience friendly design. It is virtually impossible to replicate that experience on a handheld so you are forced to take the game in another direction, while still maintaining the "heart" of the franchise.
Now the sound track is fair but there again it all depends on personal taste, I personally love the soundtrack and what it offers in the way of guitar playing (well most of it!). Bass mixing is an area I'm going to default to you on, though I will say that it could possibly be because of technical restraint then a flaw with the game all I can say I've been able to keep to the rhythm quite well. In regards to the strumming, I am improving and finding it to be less of a problem, and I know Iām not the only one. It is the Okami Wii Syndrome, it seems, and some find it works fine while others don't, so once again I'll give you the benefit of the doubt that for you personally it didn't work well.
My main problem with the review is I felt you downplayed how well it achieved being a handheld Guitar Hero experience, and relegate some of the really neat features like the dual mode to more footnotes. I'll admit it is only my perception (see how I don't generalize), but it seemed like you overemphasized which appear to be more personal issues with the game (like sound track taste). What is most confusing though is your statement regarding most issues being minor when compared to the strumming and the āsometimes uncomfortableā grip yet you say early on it does a good job of replicating the buttons, yet it becomes more than a minor issue at the end? I guess I am bit confused about what caused the game to fall into 7/10 territory. I guess Iām trying to understand more about how you approached your final score and the review as a whole. Did you put more emphasis on, imo, a flawed comparison to its console brothers (or sisters) or did you put that emphasis on how it compared to other rhythm games on DS?
P.S. Even with your seemingly rude 12 year old remark I still can't hate someone who loves Wall-E!