8.0

The gameplay does not significantly differ from others in the series. You use either a standard controller or a guitar controller to hit the correct notes, as they scroll, clearly-presented, down the screen, in time to the music. Get it wrong, and watch your points score drop! Interestingly, Guitar Hero 3 places more importance on simulated hammer-ons and pull-offs, when dealing with a rapid string of notes.

The four levels of difficulty are mostly distinguished by the number of fret buttons utilized. Veterans, however, will quickly notice that the time period, allowed for hitting the correct note, has being extended. But don’t throw your arms up in horror. The game hasn’t being dumbed down; just wait until you reach some of the later songs, which are the most challenging yet! The change has been thoughtfully introduced to allow newcomers to slip easily into the lower levels of the game.

Now here’s the good bit. The addition of the new, very comfortable to handle, Wireless Les Paul Guitar controller makes for the best playing ever. As a bonus, it is also ok for Guitar Hero 2 to be played on the Xbox 360. Beware though, you can’t use it when playing Guitar Hero 1 or 2 (PS2 version) on your PS3. Make sure you buy this new guitar controller (if not included with the game), and indulge in some heavy metal showboating!

The career mode, for the first time in the series, has an animated story line, which is played out between each tier. The plot charts the growing success of the band. However, in a twist to the story, Lou, their record producer turns out to be the devil who must be defeated in a boss battle. The single player career mode has 8 tiers, and to move to a higher tier a number of songs must be successfully completed. The highlight of this mode is the newly introduced, 3 boss battles, with Lou, Tom Morello and Slash.

The 6 tiered co-op career mode is similar in structure to career mode, but has a modified storyline. Two players, one on lead the other on bass or rhythm, share the same console.

Battle mode reveals another great addition which is playable online. Note: the PS3 version doesn’t allow you to compete with a friend online. This mode involves amazing guitar duels, when you can use the overwhelming power of your guitar work to cause your opponent to miss notes. Playing online is equally good on both the Xbox 360 and PS3. An online site links the Wii, Xbox 360 and PS3 to competitions and leaderboards making online play competitive.

Guitar Hero 3 has 13 characters, many of whom will be familiar to veterans. Career mode allows you to unlock the 3 boss characters, which include, of course, 2 rock legends, Slash and Tom Morello.

The graphics are not the highlight of the game. The animations are rather wooden, with the drummer being the worse example.

The soundtrack defines the game, and can be summed up in one word – fantastic. A glittering array of rock legends includes Guns n’ Roses, Iron Maiden, Aerosmith, Metallica, Alice Cooper and the Rolling Stones. What is more, 51 of the songs are master recordings. Amazingly, the music for the guitar battles against Tom Morello and Slash, was written and recorded by these artists, just for the game. Although there are cover versions for some of the songs, there are not as many as in the earlier games of the series.

Although there are some great new additions, the developers have erred on the side of caution, and have not been courageously innovative. Also, some of you may, understandably, be irritated by the adverts that pepper the game. The visuals are not Guitar Hero 3’s strongest point, but this doesn’t matter as the game is about sound and gameplay and not about graphics. The soundtrack is superb, and the gameplay is on of the highest order, with the new online additions moving the series forward.