Game Review: Guitar Hero 5
Overview: I don't think that an introduction to this franchise is really required. Everyone knows what Guitar Hero is by now... it has become a household name. Guitar Hero 5 is very similar to Guitar Hero: World Tour at its core. There have been several key additions to the formula, and most are very appreciated and well thought out/executed.
The ability to play any one of four instruments returns from World Tour... so each player has the choice to play the Drums, Lead Guitar, Bass Guitar, or Vocals. One of the changes to this aspect of the game, is also one of its best features, so I will explain the another section of this review.
This installment includes 85 on-the-disc tracks, from various decades/genres. There is also the option to import many songs from Guitar Hero:World Tour and Guitar Hero: Smash Hits, which is great, but slightly flawed.
The Good: The track list is pretty expansive, and spread out across many decades and genres. For the most part the selection is very good. I have been waiting to see Bush and Rammstein appear on the track list, and I was very surprised, and happy to see a Peter Frampton song as well. I love music, and have a very broad appreciation for it, so a track list such as this one appeals to me very much.
The graphics have been improved. The animations look a lot better, the Guitar Hero characters look a helluva lot better, and the venues add more to the experience this time then ever before. Each edition of the Franchise makes improvements on the visuals, and this time it is really starting to come together. I think that is an obvious advantage of doing franchise games, as opposed to reinventing the wheel each time with a new title entirely.
Another feature that has been introduced are challenges for every song. For example one song may challenge you to use your whammy bar during every sustain... you're awarded medals depending on how long you used the whammy over the course of the song. Another example would be achieving a very high score on a particular song, in solo play, or specifically in a 4 play arrangement.
The best feature introduced this time around is by far the Party Mode. This enable you to turn on the XBOX, and start the game, and jump right into the gameplay without any menu navigation whatsoever. A random song will start automatically, press the respective yellow button on whichever controller you're using, pick your difficulty and you are playing. This can be done at anytime you choose, even mid song. A friend can do the same while you're playing without interruption. If someone is being a wuss because their fingers are bleeding, and they can't possibly play anymore, then they can just drop out of the song at anytime. If you'd like to create a playlist, you can do that as well. If you do not like one of the songs that plays you can skip it. Activision/Red Octane have thought of everything this time. You can even leave the game at the title screen and just watch the band play random songs.
Another thing about party mode that has to be mentioned is that any body can play any instrument at any time. You can have 4 singers, or 4 guitarists, or 4 bass guitarists, or 4 drummers (fucking crazy, but possible). And any player can switch from one instrument to another at anytime as well.
The Bad: Why the fuck is Kurt Cobain in the game? and Johnny Cash, Carlos Santana, Shirley Manson and the guy from Muse??? This is just retarded now. It adds nothing to the game, and the whole Kurt Cobain thing is just plain wrong. Kurt should not be singing a Stevie Wonder song... That is fucking retarded.
The track list has a bunch of songs that flat out suck... I love music, and I know a TON of it, but there are some songs included that no one in their right mind would enjoy playing. I don't know how they make their way into the game, but they need to stop.
There are not many songs that lend themselves well to a singer. That is a shame, as I really like singing, but if the majority of the songs are composed by band with singers that have not been through puberty yet, I have a terrible time singing. I realize that the song can be sung an octave lower, or higher when necessary, but it just doesn't feel the same.
Verdict: If you like Guitar Hero, you already have this probably. If you're on the fence, get hell off, you'll hurt yourself. If you haven't purchased a Guitar Hero yet, then this is the one to get! Improvements were made where they needed to be. Finally Guitar Hero is the perfect party game.
5 out of 5 rofls!