Summary
- Release Year: 2009
- Genres: Music
- Platforms: PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360
- Developers: Neversoft Entertainment
- Publishers: Activision
Guitar Hero 5: A Comprehensive Review
Released in 2009, Guitar Hero 5 is the fifth installment in the popular Guitar Hero rhythm game series. Developed by Neversoft and published by Activision, the game was released for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, 3, and Wii consoles.
Gameplay
Similar to its predecessors, Guitar Hero 5 is a music rhythm game where players use guitar-shaped controllers to simulate playing lead or bass guitar, while other players can use drum and microphone controllers to simulate playing drums and vocals, respectively. The game features a variety of gameplay modes, including:
- Career mode: In this mode, players progress through a series of setlists, each with a different theme. As players complete setlists, they unlock new songs, venues, and characters.
- Quickplay mode: This mode allows players to select any song from the game’s library and play it immediately.
- Party play mode: This mode is designed for casual play with friends and family. Players can drop in and out of songs at any time, and the game automatically adjusts the difficulty to accommodate the number of players.
- Rockfest mode: This competitive mode pits players against each other in a series of challenges. Players can compete for the highest score, the most stars, or the most accurate performance.
New Features
Guitar Hero 5 introduces several new features to the series, including:
- Drop-in/drop-out play: This feature allows players to join or leave a band at any time during a song. This makes it easy for players to jump in and out of games with friends, even if they don’t have a full band.
- Bands: Players can now form bands with any combination of available instruments. This allows for more flexibility and creativity in gameplay.
- Rockfest mode: This competitive mode offers a variety of challenges, such as score battles, accuracy tests, and head-to-head duels.
- Challenges: The game features both song-specific and general challenges that players can complete to unlock new avatars, clothing, and other extras.
Track List
Guitar Hero 5 features a diverse track list of 85 songs by 83 different artists. The track list includes a mix of classic rock, alternative rock, heavy metal, and pop songs. Some of the most notable songs on the track list include:
- “Ace of Spades” by Motörhead
- “Barracuda” by Heart
- “Black Hole Sun” by Soundgarden
- “Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osbourne
- “Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey
- “Enter Sandman” by Metallica
- “Holiday” by Green Day
- “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor
- “Livin’ on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi
- “Pour Some Sugar on Me” by Def Leppard
- “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses
- “You Shook Me All Night Long” by AC/DC
Reception
Guitar Hero 5 was well-received by critics, who praised the game’s improved accessibility, new features, and diverse track list. The game also sold well, although it did not reach the same sales heights as its predecessor, Guitar Hero: World Tour.
Legacy
Guitar Hero 5 is considered to be one of the best games in the Guitar Hero series. The game’s new features and improved accessibility helped to make it more appealing to a wider range of players. The game’s diverse track list also helped to attract a wider audience.
Guitar Hero 5 was followed by Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock in 2010. Warriors of Rock introduced new features such as a new guitar controller with motion sensors, and a new “Quest” mode that allowed players to create their own custom characters and bands.
The Guitar Hero series went on hiatus after the release of Warriors of Rock, but was revived in 2015 with the release of Guitar Hero Live. Guitar Hero Live introduced a new guitar controller with real strings, and a new gameplay mode that allowed players to compete against each other in real time.
Conclusion
Guitar Hero 5 is a fun and challenging rhythm game that offers a wide range of gameplay modes and a diverse track list. The game’s new features and improved accessibility make it a great choice for both casual and hardcore rhythm game fans.
Review Score
8/10
