Guitar Freaks was the originator, that's for sure. When Konami released this arcade simulation game in Japan that let players feel as if they were playing an actual electric guitar, it caught on with quite a following. But then came Harmonix and RedOctane, a team that brought the formula to the US with many improvements under the guise of Guitar Hero, and the rest is history, as the game became a surprise hit with its accolades in its gameplay (working much simpler than Freaks' system) and its song selection (everything from Hendrix to Stevie Ray Vaughan to The Exies). So, as expected, a sequel's in the works, but Harmonix has a few ideas up their sleeves to make Guitar Hero II much more expansive...and much more of a legacy at that.

Not only are the tag team of Harmonix and RedOctane back up to bat to assure that the game's just as good as the original, but guitar god Marcus Henderson, the man who played many of the game's first tunes, is back for more string-strumming goodness, providing his expertise and demanding that you try and keep up with his prowess. This time around, the set list promises to be even more expansive than the first, featuring a fine selection of tunes from the likes of classic bands like Rush ("YYZ") and Van Halen ("You Really Got Me", which has been highly requested), as well as new favorites from the likes of Reverent Horton Heat ("Psychobilly Freakout") and Butthole Surfers ("Who Was In My Room Last Night"). Independent bands will also be scattered throughout, including the likes of Drist and Primus. It's this kind of selection that will keep things fresh throughout the game.

The way that the songs are implemented through the game are once again through covers, and not the originals (save for some of the independent bands), but the covers are done professionally and very well, and you'll be hard pressed to tell the difference at times. We did a round of "YYZ" and "You Really Got Me" and only during certain spots could we tell it was even a cover. That's because the energy of the game is perfectly in check once again, as you're forced to comprehend the upward-scrolling playfield, where you coordinate the button you must press on the guitar handle with the strum bar to make sure the tune is accurately captured.

The gameplay's just as great as it's ever been, depending on this said rhythm and letting you once again build up a power meter. Once it's full, you simply perform an up-and-down sway motion to activate it and help boost your score with the help of a multiplier. The whammy bar is once again back, so you can add your own little twisted complexities to an already-rocking tune. No complaints here.

A cool twist on the gameplay is the inclusion of different guitar types. Not only can you give yourself the ability to master the main guitar sequences within the game, but you can also try your hand at the bass or rhythm guitar sequences to see how they mix into the tune to perfection. This is definitely a crucial addition to the game, adding a bit of longevity to it. And it gives a much-needed boost to the multiplayer mode, as it allows two players to not only try to battle themselves with their axes, but to also work cooperatively through a song to assure that the crowd absolutely loves it. When me and a friend tried to play through "War Pigs" and found ourselves successful, there was a bit of pride passed on, but that didn't stop us into jumping into an immediate battle against each other on "Strutter".

Once again, the various difficulty levels return, so you can start out on Easy and eventually work your way through the guitar god realm to Expert, showing your stuff and trying to keep up with Henderson's wildly-moving fingers. This ties in well with the game's presentation, which is very similar to the first and features animated guitar players (including a returning Judy Nails) playing in front of motivated crowds. There are some differences that shine over the first however, like comeraderie between the players, more detailed stages to play on, and even crowd interaction. They'll light up lighters during power ballads and sway back and forth to the rhythm. I'm surprised someone isn't screaming "Play Freebird!" yet. (Maybe they will, who knows? The song may pop up in the soundtrack if they can just get the rights.)

With its gameplay remaining as sharp as ever, a solid presentation, and a two-player mode that can sway either way to help you become that much better of a guitar player, Guitar Hero II looks to absolutely rock when it's released for the PS2 this fall. All that's missing now is an opportunity to get our hands on a cherry-red guitar peripheral to go with it...or maybe we could get a redesign with jagged edges and all-solid black. Of course, that's just wishful thinking. We'll be back with a full review soon!