Game Review: Guitar Hero 5

There are generally two types of people who play guitar rhythm games. One group has all 600 versions of Guitar Hero and Rock Band, spends evenings comparing the merits of each franchise, and eagerly awaits the next revolution in plastic guitar (and drum) technology. The other group likes to pick up their instrument/controller of choice and burn some free time rocking out. Guitar Hero 5 will satisfy both of these groups, and anyone else who feels like jumping in. It has never been easier to play a song you love with your friends. With all the big ideas behind Guitar Hero already in place, the fine-tuning of the smallest details makes Guitar Hero 5 the most enjoyable GH installment yet. 

From the first time you turn on Guitar Hero 5, all the songs will be unlocked. Instead of spending hours going through the career mode just to play a specific song, the entire track list is open to enjoyment from the beginning. That doesn't mean the career mode isn't worth a look. Guiding your custom-made rocker around the world gives the player the same sense of progress and accomplishment typically found in adventure games. While the game rewards the player for higher scores, each song also has specific challenges that unlock special items in the game. At any time during the career, the player can switch to a different instrument. Seems like a small thing, but starting a different career for each instrument becomes a real pain. It's the attention to these little details that sets Guitar Hero 5 apart. 

Of course the main draw of rhythm games is the multiplayer and this is where GH5 shines. During a band session (either on or offline) anyone can play any instrument simultaneously (meaning those late night sessions of "Sympathy for the Devil" can now have all your friends playing the guitar). The whole menu of jumping in and out of games is just simpler and less intrusive to the game experience. Gone are all the complicated boss modes with items and the "three strikes and your out" rule when one of your teammates fails multiple times. Instead, all the rocking is streamlined and straightforward; the way fans have always wanted it. 

The variety of songs is enormous, ranging from folksy 60s hits like Dylan’s "All Along The Watchtower,” to more recent indie rock like Weezer's "Why Bother?" If the player has any of the older Guitar Hero games, those songs can easily be imported, creating a giant library of songs. In addition there are tons of songs and albums available for download (for a small fee of course). There is so much variety you’ll probably hate some of these songs. But the flip side is there will definitely be songs that you like, even love, in the mix. 

Even in this most perfect version of the Guitar Hero franchise, there are still problems. Creating playlists for online multiplayer can be too complex and the career mode online does not transfer star points to your offline career. But all the little problems are often a matter of preference and the new additions far outweigh the slip-ups. With another step forward, Guitar Hero 5 becomes the new standard for rhythm games. That is, until a future installment adds the next little feature we've all been waiting for.