The latest and 6th in the Guitar Hero series, Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock was finally released September, 2010. Set up as the other games in this series the players attempt to copy the notes on the screen and advance by best copying the songs. Wanting to go back to the basics this game’s hero is of course the lead guitar. The game can be played with up to four players whose choices of instruments are lead guitar, bass guitar, drum, and vocal. There are 93 songs in the soundtrack, along with being able to use songs from other games in the series or through exporting. Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock incorporates the Quest mode which is the career campaign and is set up to a heavy metal storyline.
Just like the other games Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock the player uses the controller designed for the appropriate instrument. For the lead and bass guitar the players have a guitar looking controller and push down on the buttons that are matching the notes on the screen. Guitar players will hold down the fret button or the strum bar while striking another during some portions of the songs. Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock make it easier on the bass players with providing the open chords and not having to hold down the fret button. Drums and vocals are relatively the same, except for the second drum pedal which will be necessary for the Expert+ stages. After deciding which instrument the player selects which of the six different levels to play at, Beginner through Expert+. If you are playing single player and your performance meter drains you will have to start over. The band mode surviving players can revive their fallen comrade if they perform well enough.
The Quest mode starts off with the player gathering eight characters to try and defeat “The Beast” releasing the Demigod of Rock. Each of these characters is equipped with different special abilities that are combined while playing the game leading up to the finale. To gain one of these characters you must play a variety of songs in each characters genre. The characters become warriors after winning stars and then their special powers start to affect the game play. The highlight of this mode is the “2112” segment which is by Rush who also narrate the segment. This is at the halfway point and not here is where Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock really makes the game interesting. Bringing in some rock lore and searching for a legendary guitar.
The second mode in the game is the Quickplay+ the player or players can choose through the variety of songs on the disc or their library. The players progress and by gaining stars you can start gaining levels and unlocking special features. These are new guitar styles, costumes, or new arenas to play. Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock also include the Party mode that plays the songs switching automatically and lets players leave or enter the game at any time. The Competitive modes are also still in the game with have had band versus band variants.
Activision’s latest version of the series Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock is a fun play, but nothing mind blowing. The soundtrack is scattered even with the addition of Soundgarden’s new album Telephantasm. The quest mode leaves something to be desired but the Quickplay+ is fun and allows the game to be entertaining for a while.