Guitar Hero 5 is the latest offering in the highly successful Guitar Hero series. This fifth main entry into the series presented Neversoft, the developers, with a huge challenge i.e. how to freshen up the product without dismantling a winning formula. Have they succeeded? Yes. Series veterans will be pleased that they have resisted the temptation of resorting to tasteless new gimmickry, and have instead concentrated their efforts on refining and improving the gameplay, whilst introducing several new features, including the Play Party and Rock Fest modes. Well loved characters are still there, but looking even better. And let’s not forget the eighty five songs by eighty three artists. Guitar Hero 5 is published by Red Octane and Activision and was released 11th September.
Series veterans will be familiar with the gameplay. But for the benefit of newcomers, the gist of it is this: you play the part of a rock star, making music by hitting buttons on your game controller, as directed by the scrolling notes on the screen. Get it right and your performance meter will rise. Get it wrong and the meter drops. If it falls too far the song cuts out, and you’re ignominiously booed off the stage. Although Guitar Hero 5 is far more accessible than earlier versions, top players will definitely not be disappointed with the challenges: the game is great for players of all abilities. You can play lead or bass using your guitar controller, bang the drums using your drum controller or sing into the microphone. There are single and multiplayer options: you can play competitively or co-op, perhaps in a group of four local players or alternatively go online. Interestingly, Guitar Hero 5 allows the four players free choice of instruments, all can play bass guitar if the mood so takes them!
Party Play and Rock Fest modes are new. The highly accessible Party Play is designed for a mate’s get-together, just bring along whatever instrument controllers you posses and explore the possibilities, irrespective of your ability. You can even change your difficulty level while playing.
Rock Fest mode allows four players locally and eight online. It offers a number of sub-modes including Pro Face Off, Perfectionist and Elimination. Each sub-mode has a different approach and scoring system.
Guitar Hero 5 introduces challenges, which add a welcome extra dimension for both moderate and accomplished players. Some challenges are song specific while others are open gig. There are three competition levels: Gold, Platinum and Diamond, which reflect the difficulty of the challenge.
In these financially constrained times the developers have wisely ensured that your existing Guitar Hero controllers are compatible with the new game (controllers from other games maybe compatible so check them out). You may, however, decide to purchase the new Guitar shaped controller sold with bundles. It is a more refined and responsive version of the Guitar Hero World Tour instrument.
Kurt Cobain, Carlos Santana, Shirley Manson, Matthew Bellamy and Johnny Cash are featured characters in the game. A tribute artist was used as Cash’s model. Although Courtney Love cast her eyes over the development of Cobain’s model she has issues with certain aspects of the game.
The very wide ranging soundtrack consists of eighty five songs by eighty three artists, with all songs being unlocked from the start. Added to this you can now import, for free, most of the downloadable track from Guitar Hero World Tour. Beware, though, just thirty five of the on disk tracks are compatible and they are NOT free. If you are a creative gamer you will go for the Music Studio feature, which enables you to create your own tracks. These can be distributed (provided they don’t infringe copyright) on the Guitar Hero Tunes service.
All in all Guitar Hero 5 has enough about it to put it ahead of its competitors. Newcomers will find it accessible, and veterans will be satisfied with the additions and the complexity of the challenges. Go for it!