Summary
- Release Year: 2009
- Genres: Music
- Platforms: PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360
- Developers: Neversoft Entertainment
- Publishers: Activision
Guitar Hero: Metallica: A Head-Banging Tribute to the Metal Legends
Released in 2009, Guitar Hero: Metallica is a rhythm game developed by Neversoft and published by Activision that allows players to experience the music of the legendary heavy metal band Metallica. As the second game in the Guitar Hero series to focus on the career and songs of one band, following Guitar Hero: Aerosmith, Guitar Hero: Metallica offers a comprehensive and immersive experience for fans of the band and rhythm game enthusiasts alike.
Gameplay
Guitar Hero: Metallica is based on the gameplay of Guitar Hero World Tour, featuring support for lead and bass guitar, drums, and vocals. Players use specialized controllers shaped like musical instruments to match the notes that scroll down the screen in time with the music. The game offers a variety of difficulty levels, including an “Expert+” difficulty for drums that allows the use of a second bass drum pedal to simulate the complex drumming style of Metallica’s Lars Ulrich.
Setlist and Career Mode
The game features 28 master recordings spanning Metallica’s career, including iconic tracks such as “Enter Sandman,” “Master of Puppets,” and “One.” In addition, there are 21 additional songs selected by members of Metallica, including covers of songs by Queen, Bob Seger, and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
The Career mode in Guitar Hero: Metallica follows the band’s rise to fame, from their early days in Los Angeles to their status as one of the biggest metal bands in the world. Players perform songs from Metallica’s catalog in various venues, unlocking new songs and gear as they progress.
Motion Capture and In-Game Performances
Metallica performed extensive motion capture for the game, resulting in highly detailed in-game avatars and performances. The band members’ movements and expressions are captured with remarkable accuracy, creating a truly immersive experience for players.
Additional Features
Beyond the core gameplay, Guitar Hero: Metallica includes a number of additional features, including:
- GHTunes: Players can create and share their own songs through “GHTunes,” allowing for a virtually endless supply of new content.
- Behind-the-Scenes Footage: The game includes exclusive behind-the-scenes videos of the motion capture sessions, tour and concert videos of the band, and Pop-Up Video-like facts for many of the songs on the game disc.
- Online Multiplayer: Players can compete against each other online in a variety of competitive modes, including Battle Mode and Pro Face-Off.
Critical Reception
Guitar Hero: Metallica received positive reviews from critics, with many praising it as a strong tribute to the band and Neversoft’s best work on the Guitar Hero series to date. The difficulty throughout the game was praised, found to be more enjoyable to players of all skill levels than the more-difficult Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock. Reviewers noted the lack of additional downloadable content, save for the pre-existing Death Magnetic songs, the cartoonish storyline for the Career mode, and the overall value of the game as some of the negatives to the experience.
Legacy
Guitar Hero: Metallica remains a popular and beloved entry in the Guitar Hero series, particularly among fans of Metallica. The game’s challenging difficulty, extensive setlist, and immersive motion-captured performances make it a must-play for any fan of rhythm games or the legendary metal band.
Conclusion
Guitar Hero: Metallica is a rocking rhythm game that captures the energy and excitement of one of the greatest heavy metal bands of all time. With its impressive setlist, challenging gameplay, and immersive motion-captured performances, Guitar Hero: Metallica is a must-play for fans of the band and rhythm game enthusiasts alike.
Review Score
8.5/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
