Neversoft hits almost every note with an excellent rendition of Guitar Hero.
Since it's introduction it has spawned three sequels on numerous platforms and sold over three million copies worldwide. But when developer Harmonix was purchased by MTV games to make "Rock Band" and Neversoft was brought in to pinch hit for them...many thought the gaming franchise was doomed. Well, breathe a sigh of relief and get ready to shred. Because Guitar Hero 3 rocks with the best of 'em!
The game uses almost exactly the same mechanics as the previous games did (which is amazing considering Neversoft had no access to the original code) only for those of you starting out with GH3, the learning curve is a tad more forgiving. At least for the first four songs you'll play. You pick your standard rocker (many of which are from the first two games) and progress through your "career mode" much like you did in the previous games, but with tiny cut scenes of your band going through the motions. It's entertaining...but you feel it could have been explored way further.
As your progress, you'll be challenged by rock legends Tom Morrello (of Rage Against the Machine & Audioslave fame) and Slash (if you don't know who Slash is...I'll slap you). The challenge is met in a series of "Guitar Battles" which can be fun...but also frustrating. As you play through the song you acquire "battle points" which allow you to do fun things like, cut your opponents guitar strings, make them play lefty, short out their amp power and so on. The only problem with this is, if you're the first to get a battle point...you'll probably win because it's impossible to battle back afterwards. Especially since your opponent can still throw more battle points at you.
However, that aside it must be said that this is the finest selection of songs in the franchises history. Nearly every song is classic. From the Rolling Stones to Queens of the Stone age...everything you need is here for your rocking needs. They are censored versions, which stinks...but what can you do. However...this brings me to my next point.
This is also the hardest installment of the Guitar Hero franchise. Many of the songs depend on you hitting nearly impossible chord progressions or hammer notes which are way to close together. However, this is compromised by the fact that many of the songs are so good you rise to meet the challenge.
Case and point..."Dragonforce - Through the Fire and the Flames". This song is played during the closing credits of the game and when you play it...it's insanity. However, you want to rise to meet it. It's this level of determination that make this game so addictive.
The only REAL qualm I have with GH3 is the characters. The quirky rock gods you all love are back, even with some new additions...like Slash which is amazing. But when I play this game I CRAVE for a create-a-rocker mode. Wouldn't it be awesome to see me on the screen playing along with the band? However...create-a-band might be a good idea...since the lead singer is ugly as hell.
On that note, it's also necessary to point out that the motion capture for some of the characters is quite robotic. The drummer being the best example. On songs like "Through the Fire and the Flames" where you expect to see someone going absolutely postal on the drum kit, he just sits there moving like an android. But it's a minor problem...since you don't spend a whole lot of time watching the performance. But I digress...
As said in the official review, the real hero of the game is the controller. This is by far the best guitar controller made yet. The controls are responsive, with a longer strum bar and a whammy bar that doesn't get in the way. And the fact that it's wireless only makes it sweeter.
That said, Guitar Hero 3 makes for an hellasciously ridiculous, monstrosity of addictive shredding action. If you love Guitar Hero, you'll adore GH3.
For those about to rock...start.