For its second band specific Guitar Hero, Activision turned to one of the most renowned rock groups in existence, Metallica. Vocalist James Hetfield, drummer Lars Ulrich, lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo were happy to collaborate. The result, Guitar Hero Metallica, is now yours to jam to.
This time around, Activision moved away from covering the band's history (ala Guitar Hero Aerosmith) in favor of a different approach. You start the game as a newbie heading up a garage band that yearns to become Metallica's opening act. However, various obstacles stand in your way, including a poser rock group that thinks they're better than you. It's up to you to prove your metal and show Metallica you've got what it takes to hang with them.
Harder than previous games in the series, Guitar Hero Metallica is damn hard, even on easier difficulties. That's cool because the set list is overwhelmingly good. Several Metallica favorites made the cut, ranging from earlier hits ("Master of Puppets", "Battery") to newer releases like "Frantic" from the St. Anger LP and "No Leaf Clover" from the orchestra-based S & M collaboration. Along with these 28 tracks, Metallica chose 20 personal favorites. These include such classics as Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Tuesday's Gone," Alice In Chains' "No Excuses" and Slayer's near-impossible-to-master "War Ensemble." If you previously downloaded Metallica's Death Magnetic album for other Guitar Hero games, you can transfer that into the playlist as well. Sadly, we're disappointed with Activision's decision to remove the option to download any content beyond what's in the game and the new album. This is bad news for Metallica completists hoping to add "Breadfan" or "And Justice For All" to the song list.
Developer Neversoft made subtle variations to the gameplay. You still have four instruments to choose from – microphone, drums, rhythm/bass guitar and lead guitar – and all four of them play marvelously. You hit notes along a moving grid, performing to the rhythms in each of the songs. Along the way, you double your score by activating star power with any of the instruments – a simple tap of the microphone, a raise of the guitar peripheral or smacking the two high hats on Guitar Hero's drum kit (the two middle drum pads on Rock Band's drum kit). There are some minor additions, however.
A star rating is located on the lower corner of the screen. You can earn up to five stars for each performance. Doing so helps you achieve unlockable items in the game. These includes fan-shot concert footage and bonus clips of the band goofing off during motion capture sessions to trivia factoids that pop up during specific performances called Metallifacts. Other goodies are also available, including accessories and instruments in the customization shop. In addition, a new Drum On mode lets you bang along to Metallica songs at your own pace.
Adding to the game's difficulty a new mode called Expert Plus puts your music-playing skills to the ultimate test, especially if you're on drums. The bass drum beats move so frantically that you'll need a second pedal to keep up. Thankfully, Activision offers a second pedal as a bonus to those who purchase the game through Gamestop.
Guitar Hero Metallica is very multiplayer friendly. You can play locally with up to three friends or hop online through Xbox Live and the PlayStation Network to take on the world. Battle of the Bands returns, pitting four-on-four teams against each other for musical dominance and Regular Battle mode also reappears for those wanting to unleash "Ride the Lightning" (a modification of Amp Overload) on an opponent. Finally, GH Tunes, first introduced in Guitar Hero: World Tour, once again lets users create, upload and download fresh tracks, complete with Metallica-approved instruments.
Activision also included a head banger-worthy presentation. While the GH setup looks familiar (track layouts in the front, band performance in the back), there's plenty of Metallica-influenced imagery here. The band looks phenomenal, performing on stage with the same visceral energy they display in real life. Other GH characters return too, including such favorites as Casey Lynch and Judy Nails. You'll also see guest stars like Lemmy and King Diamond performing their hits "Ace of Spades" and "Am I Evil?," respectively.
If you love music/rhythm games and looking for a new challenge or you just love Metallica, you need to buy this video game. More downloadable content would've made this the best Guitar Hero yet, but as it stands, it still rocks. Snag it and obey your master.
Spore Screenshots
Spore, the highly anticipated game from the creators of The Sims, gives players their own personal universe in a box. Create and evolve life, establish tribes, build civilizations, sculpt entire worlds and explore a universe created by other gamers. Spore gives players a wealth of creative tools to customize nearly every aspect of their universe: creatures, vehicles, buildings, and even UFOs. Players can then seamlessly share their creations with the world or explore infinite new galaxies created by other gamers. (Screenshot 1 of 112)
Spore, the highly anticipated game from the creators of The Sims, gives players their own personal universe in a box. Create and evolve life, establish tribes, build civilizations, sculpt entire worlds and explore a universe created by other gamers. Spore gives players a wealth of creative tools to customize nearly every aspect of their universe: creatures, vehicles, buildings, and even UFOs. Players can then seamlessly share their creations with the world or explore infinite new galaxies created by other gamers. (Screenshot 2 of 112)
Spore, the highly anticipated game from the creators of The Sims, gives players their own personal universe in a box. Create and evolve life, establish tribes, build civilizations, sculpt entire worlds and explore a universe created by other gamers. Spore gives players a wealth of creative tools to customize nearly every aspect of their universe: creatures, vehicles, buildings, and even UFOs. Players can then seamlessly share their creations with the world or explore infinite new galaxies created by other gamers. (Screenshot 3 of 112)
Spore, the highly anticipated game from the creators of The Sims, gives players their own personal universe in a box. Create and evolve life, establish tribes, build civilizations, sculpt entire worlds and explore a universe created by other gamers. Spore gives players a wealth of creative tools to customize nearly every aspect of their universe: creatures, vehicles, buildings, and even UFOs. Players can then seamlessly share their creations with the world or explore infinite new galaxies created by other gamers. (Screenshot 4 of 112)
Spore, the highly anticipated game from the creators of The Sims, gives players their own personal universe in a box. Create and evolve life, establish tribes, build civilizations, sculpt entire worlds and explore a universe created by other gamers. Spore gives players a wealth of creative tools to customize nearly every aspect of their universe: creatures, vehicles, buildings, and even UFOs. Players can then seamlessly share their creations with the world or explore infinite new galaxies created by other gamers. (Screenshot 5 of 112)
Spore, the highly anticipated game from the creators of The Sims, gives players their own personal universe in a box. Create and evolve life, establish tribes, build civilizations, sculpt entire worlds and explore a universe created by other gamers. Spore gives players a wealth of creative tools to customize nearly every aspect of their universe: creatures, vehicles, buildings, and even UFOs. Players can then seamlessly share their creations with the world or explore infinite new galaxies created by other gamers. (Screenshot 6 of 112)
Spore, the highly anticipated game from the creators of The Sims, gives players their own personal universe in a box. Create and evolve life, establish tribes, build civilizations, sculpt entire worlds and explore a universe created by other gamers. Spore gives players a wealth of creative tools to customize nearly every aspect of their universe: creatures, vehicles, buildings, and even UFOs. Players can then seamlessly share their creations with the world or explore infinite new galaxies created by other gamers. (Screenshot 7 of 112)
Spore, the highly anticipated game from the creators of The Sims, gives players their own personal universe in a box. Create and evolve life, establish tribes, build civilizations, sculpt entire worlds and explore a universe created by other gamers. Spore gives players a wealth of creative tools to customize nearly every aspect of their universe: creatures, vehicles, buildings, and even UFOs. Players can then seamlessly share their creations with the world or explore infinite new galaxies created by other gamers. (Screenshot 8 of 112)
Spore, the highly anticipated game from the creators of The Sims, gives players their own personal universe in a box. Create and evolve life, establish tribes, build civilizations, sculpt entire worlds and explore a universe created by other gamers. Spore gives players a wealth of creative tools to customize nearly every aspect of their universe: creatures, vehicles, buildings, and even UFOs. Players can then seamlessly share their creations with the world or explore infinite new galaxies created by other gamers. (Screenshot 9 of 112)
Spore, the highly anticipated game from the creators of The Sims, gives players their own personal universe in a box. Create and evolve life, establish tribes, build civilizations, sculpt entire worlds and explore a universe created by other gamers. Spore gives players a wealth of creative tools to customize nearly every aspect of their universe: creatures, vehicles, buildings, and even UFOs. Players can then seamlessly share their creations with the world or explore infinite new galaxies created by other gamers. (Screenshot 10 of 112)
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