Guitar Hero: Metallica

Game Info

Publisher: Activision

Developer: Neversoft Entertainment

Platform:  PS3

Genre(s): Music

Players: 8

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Release Date: March 29, 2009

 

Intro:

After the initial, metal, load screen completes, players are greeted with "stage footage" of Metallica arriving onstage.  There is fanfare and members of the band are shown close-up.  The band moves right into the music and players find themselves immediately playing the first song.  A trophy is earned and an Encore presentation is immediately begun.  

 

Getting Going:

Beyond the brief, captivating CG of Metallica, the game has already begun with two playable songs.  It is only after this that the player is met with the now-familiar option of choosing, or creating, a rocker; naming the band; and choosing personal preferences.  Once begun, the first venue offers music from both Metallica and other bands such as Bob Seger and Lynard Skynard.  Play is familiar and co-op is available in the form of band play options: drum, microphone, bass, guitar.  When Metallica songs are played, Metallica is on-stage, which should please Metallica fans.

 

Visuals:

This is a thoroughly themed game and Metallica is nicely represented throughout.  There are, of course, a lot of skulls and metal branding, but there can be no doubt who this game represents, even as the player plays songs from other bands.  Close-ups give the player a look at both their player character and visuals of Metallica band members.  The player track changes depending on whether Metallica is on-stage or your band is on stage. The HUD has changed a bit in this game.  The rock meter has light bulbs for the power-up and the main HUD is on the left.  There is a star meter on the right side that shows the player progress and note streaks as they move through the song.  The multiplier is now attached to the right side of the player track.  Power-ups should look familiar to most players, while the familiar rockers become edgier with every iteration of the Guitar Hero franchise.  Notably missing are the improved avatar animations found during power-ups in previous games.

 

Music:

I've never been a huge Metallica fan and can't say I'm familiar with a lot of their music.  I was thrilled to find Metallica songs I did know and unexpectedly delighted to find a much wider variety of songs in this game.  It was a pleasant surprise considering the title.  Gone, however, is some of the vibrato noted on long notes in Guitar Hero II.  Also gone are the more dynamic sounds during the power-ups that was found in other games.  


Rewards and Punishment:

Players move through the game based on how many stars they obtain.  So, once a given number of stars are reached, a new venue opens up.  The player is returned to the setlist in progress with the added venue and list added on. This was improved over Guitar Hero II in which a new venue opens with a new set list and the player must consciously choose to return to the previous setlist if they wish to complete it.  Players still receive the familiar "You Rock" at the end of songs, as well as money for upgrades and feedback on the songs.  Players can choose to go into the list for further feedback.  The familiar struggles from the avatar if the player struggles during play is gone, but has been replaced by a very satisfying guitar-smashing CG upon failure.  Players may now take failure a bit more personally in this game, however, when they find that the customary "Song Failed" has been replaced with simply "fail".  Some rewards in the game are received instantly at the end of the song, such as a new guitar.

 

Controls:

Guitar Hero: Metallica is played on the PS3 band set.  The guitar offers slider notes that can also be tapped on.  This is a huge improvement and allows the player a host of new control options during play and difficult solos.  

 

Ideas:

I've actually played Guitar Hero 5 for the challenge already and will be commenting on the franchise changes "Ideas" in that assessment.  A trend has begun with these last two Guitar Hero challenge games that may show some of the reason for the slip in favor the franchise has begun to see.  The most notable difference is the disappearance of abundant rewards and punishments in the game.