Gameplay (25%): 8.5
Graphics (10%): 7
Sounds (15%): 9
Controls (25%): 9
Longevity (25%): 9
Overall: 87% (4 stars/Above Average)
Tony Hawk Developers Take a Spin (Gameplay - 8.5)
The successor to Guitar Hero II was produced by none other than ... Neversoft? That is correct, the developers well known for the Tony Hawk Series developed the game formerly made by Harmonix Music Systems. The reason is due to the acquisition by MTV Networks of the aforementioned company. As a result, Harmonix has since gone on to make the competing Rock Band music game. As a result, Activision had to turn to those within it's umbrella... hence the result.
This is not to say that the series is dead in the water. Far from it, in fact. The same system, with modified tweaks in timing (larger window) and added modes (Battle Mode, Career Mode), is entirely in use. For more information in great detail about the previous modes and the game play mechanics, see my
prior review of Guitar Hero II.
The changes are also noticed in the difficulty overall of the game. Neversoft, going through great pains to keep the same system, bumped up the difficulty a bit to a bunch. Depending on the level of play that you are comfortable with in Guitar Heroes I and II, you may have to take a step back before the game runs you over (despite a slightly larger timing window). If I were to equate the difficulties, Easy remains the same from GHII. However, Guitar Hero III's Medium is a touch harder... then you reach the later tiers. Songs such as Metallica's One or Raining Blood by Slayer will truly test your mettle in even the Medium difficulty. To put it even more into perspective, Raining Blood by Slayer on EASY had my hands cramping up. Just keep that in mind when you enter the hallowed guitar grounds of GHIII.
With that said, the same system of coop game play returns in spades. You can team up with a buddy to try to conquer the nearly 80 songs of the game. However, the disadvantage to attempting this mode is that you must do it offline. Despite the many other multiplayer modes, the developers could not figure out how to get an online coop career mode. Even more, the coop career mode only accumulates money for one player (the one who made the band). The 2nd player will have to perform for "free" so to speak. Lastly, the achievements, for those who like that sort of thing, are glitched. Only the lead guitarist will gain the achievement, and at times the 2nd player may not gain the achievement if he or she attempts it again.
The online (or in game) Battle Mode is the next newcomer to the series. The concept is that you take coop Pro-Face Off and pair it with "Battle Power" sequences, which replaces Star Power. If one successfully completes such a sequence, he/she gains attacks that can be used against the opponent. To activate these battle attacks, one need only tilt their guitar controller (or press the back button on any controller). The attacks in this mode include wammy bar failure (hit the whammy continuously to shake it off, you are unable to hit any notes otherwise), and strum failure (one not must be strummed continuously to be able to use it again) just to name a few. The premise is that one would use these attacks during your opponent's note heavy periods to cause them to fail. If they do not fail, then sudden death occurs. During sudden death, all attacks involve Death Drain attacks only. The game ends when either player fails the song as a result.
Though this mode is interesting in practice, it is not implemented well in actuality. The player that has a series of notes first is more apt to knock out their opponent (due to acquiring attack powers) then the 2nd player who has their sequence later. If the mode had been more fairly distributed, then you would not see events where the 2nd player is gone in their first note sequence.
Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on which side of the coin you fall on), this mode is incorporated in single player career mode. The opponents you face off against include Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine), Slash (Guns N' Roses) and Lou the Devil (....do I need to tell you?). The object is the same against them, beat them in a Battle Mode face off. Once more, the note sequences are not distributed in your favor. Though you get to go first, you must remember you are against a CPU (not the actual Morello, Slash and Lou). Therefore, the CPU can shake off some of the attacks quickly or are largely unimpaired. However, you, though...
Thankfully, the issues that largely plagued GHII have been resolved. The guitar controller (now wireless) responds quickly to any tilts for Star Power. Furthermore, the note board in game is much clearer and easier to see than it was in GHII. Thus, this allows the player to easily distinguish between key notes (now totally white) or strum notes and the background is a little brighter.
OMG, the flashing lights! (Graphics - 7)
There have been graphical improvements to GHIII over GHII. First, the band's stage and concert antics will be much more believeable over this game's predecessor. Of course, if you have been to any concert, the flashing lights can be a bit of an annoyance while trying to play. Furthermore, the cheering audience members will do antics on screen that can be a bit distracting (i.e. body surfing whilst jumping off the stage).
However, the graphical improvements to the note board and the keys themselves are very much appreciated. It is, as mentioned earlier, much easier to distinguish between key notes and strum notes. Furthermore, the darker notes do not blend into the board during an onslaught of notes. To some players (who are not eye sensitive to this), this improvement may not be noticed. However, to those of us who are sensitive to this, these subtle improvements will help the gameplay overall.
Metallica, Beastie Boys, Rage Against the Machine...they are here! (Sounds - 9)
The songlist has acquired many big names onto the tiered lists. Black Sabbath, Metallica's "One," the Beastie Boys' "Sabatoge," just to name a few. Even the bonus songs/DLC have acquired a taste that may actually want you to play them. Linkin Park to the arm cramping, insanely difficult DragonForce songs are here. It is with thanks that RedOctane and Activision have been able to get these songs.
The sound effects remain largely unchanged from GHII. The missed notes sounds on the bass guitar could have been louder, but other than that, everything else is familiar. Feel free to turn it up to cause issues with your neighbors, if you wish.
The Wireless Guitar Controller has arrived (Controls - 9)
The technical issues with the wired controllers in this game have largely been fixed. The first issue where the controller will not register Star Power has been dealt with a slight tilt to the guitar controller. Though, by now, if you are not used to the controller's size, I do not know if you will ever be. The responses to the colored notes, whammy bar and strumming are nearly perfect.
Another Time Sink of Rock Music (Longevity - 9)
With a much improved song list, and the high standard of DragonForce's "Through the Fire and Flames" looming over every player, you will sink a lot of time into this game. The cooperative modes are a touch bit more difficult, as is practically everything else in the game. However, the drive that you will have to complete this game... and to rank highly on the leaderboards... remains.
Once more, the common complaint remains that different difficulties should have different music. However, with all the songs being available (number nearly 100 with DLC), this complaint is not as strong as it once was. Furthermore, the community support for the game has ranked it the #3 most played XBox Live game for the month of December 2007. If you do not find someone to play against, then that is largely a function of who you desire.
Conclusions
The subtle improvements over Guitar Hero II will help make this game that much more addicting. With the competing Rock Band on the market, this game really stepped up to the plate for difficult "guitar" play. I recommend this to players who are interested in this sort of genre. I would recommend this cautiously to newcomers, though I would recommend the less difficult Guitar Hero II or Rock Band first before approaching this game.
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