Game Review: Guitar Hero 5 Beats Rock Band With Great Music
Boston Herald
Sep 17, 2009
"GUITAR HERO 5"
Activision for the Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, PS2. Rated T for teen.
Grade: B+
Some people don't love the Beatles. Amazing, but it's true.
Some of those people do love music games like "Rock Band" and "Guitar Hero." What are they to do when the most hyped music game of the year is exclusively about the Beatles?
Thankfully, "Guitar Hero 5" has got them covered. Not content to be the best "Guitar Hero" in years, it's also in many ways a worthy successor to last year's "Rock Band 2."
"Guitar Hero 5" isn't as elegant as "The Beatles: Rock Band," but it makes up for that with great music. The 85 songs cross a wide range of genres and time periods, from the early '70s r & b of Stevie Wonder's "Superstition" to the brand new single from radio- friendly punk band AFI.
There's indie-rock from Sonic Youth, punk from Iggy Pop, the glam of T. Rex, classics from the Rolling Stones and Thin Lizzy, a few Lollapaloozas worth of alternative malarkey, and at least two distinct types of emo. Prog even slips in through the back door with King Crimson's "21st Century Schizoid Man." It's an amazing lineup with something for every true music fan.
Like "Guitar Hero World Tour," "Guitar Hero 5" offers full band play, and is compatible with all "Rock Band" or "Guitar Hero" instruments. "Guitar Hero 5's" streamlined interface also makes it simpler to start up a game, especially in party situations.
Some of the flaws that plagued "Guitar Hero World Tour" reappear. The game's downright ugly, with ridiculous environments and character designs that reflect the worst stereotypes about musicians. Worse are the real artists who show up as playable characters. Even those who think "Beatles: Rock Band" is too respectful will feel a little sick when Kurt Cobain and Johnny Cash jam out on 3 Doors Down.
Fortunately bad taste and good music aren't mutually exclusive. "Guitar Hero 5" might take some ugly turns, but it's rock-solid to the core.
----
Sound Off...What do you think? Join the discussion
Copyright 2009 by Boston Herald
