It’s year six and counting for the Guitar Hero franchise, and after countless general and band-specific releases, we finally have a chapter that digs into the deeper essence of rock. We’re talking about the Ozzy Osbourne kind of stage design where a big metal giant wields a hammer while spewing fire through its nostrils. Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock is truly a beast of a different design, even though bits and pieces from previous games will be familiar to long-time players. Hey, we’re fine with that. Guitar Hero 5 worked so well in terms of challenges and party play, they’re certainly due for a return. In the game, you have several modes to choose from. If you’re a guitar god of any sort, the first place you’ll want to stop is QuickPlay Plus. Here, not only will you have access to a number of songs on the set list (you’ll need to unlock some of the hardcore ones), but individual challenges for each one, such as reaching a minimum number of notes hit or maintaining a positive green level throughout your performance (by not missing many chords). The better you do, the more stars you earn, and the more metal-based goods you unlock. Along with songs, you can earn new equipment and outfits for your guitarist. Like previous games, Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock also introduces a competitive edge. You can top your previous scores in songs, challenge others through leaderboards, or take on players directly through Xbox Live – or from your living room sofa, if you prefer.
The game is compatible with many instrument peripherals, including drum sets and microphones, but obviously the best role to play is with a guitar. Watching four people go at it in a shredfest is quite a feat, even as the screen overloads with hundreds of notes. And a word of warning – a lot of songs will put you to the test in Warriors of Rock. Activision’s picked up a mostly worthwhile set list of ridiculously hard tunes to play along with, from the likes of Rush (the entire 2112 set is here), Dragonforce, Dethklok and a combination of Metallica and Ozzy Osbourne. Some songs feel out of place compared to these headbangers, such as R.E.M.’s “Losing My Religion”, but they’re fun to play nevertheless. You can play these songs any way you choose through QuickPlay Plus, though shooting for the stars – literally – is the best way to go. You’ll spend hours gathering them all, and the Expert ones are goals truly for the dedicated. That brings us to the other main mode in the game, Quest Mode. Here, you’ll “unleash” the beast within several of your favorite players, including Casey Lynch and Judy Nails. Play a few songs with them and unlock enough songs, and you’ll turn on their “bad” side, whether it’s a twisted pig creature or a metallic goddess. This mode is a little schmaltzy for its own good, even with its hard rock roots and Gene Simmons’ more-than-effective narration. Still, it’s fun to play through when it comes to earning Achievements and unlocking goodies. A few familiar rock-worthy faces show up as well, including good ol’ Rush lead singer Geddy Lee, a welcome addition to Guitar Hero’s superstar roster.
One would think that its sixth year in, Guitar Hero would be wearing down. But, thanks to the variations found in the multiplayer and the challenges of QuickPlay Plus, it’s still fun to play. Whether you’re banging away at the drums, growling along to Dethklok’s lyrics (seriously, you’ll actually be growling) or taking your guitar peripheral to the point of wearing down, good times await. If you don’t have a peripheral, there are bundles available that include them, including a peculiar-looking “warrior” guitar with detachable sides (which you can replace with axe blades, if you purchased the game through a Gamestop retailer). It’s flimsier than the Guitar Hero 5 model, and missing the chord bar on the neck, but it still works adequately. Plus, it’s a lot easier to lug around than a Beatles-modeled guitar, should you choose to rock on the go. As for presentation, little has changed, but that’s fine with us. The note grid is easy on the eyes, despite the high speed of notes coming through it. The background action, consisting of rocker types bouncing around on-stage and sweeping crowd shots, will entertain those stuck watching on the sidelines. The transformations are somewhat goofy, but, hey, what 80’s glam rocker stage isn’t? The only downside is that video calibration takes a while to go through, longer than it did in previous games. You may assume that Activision would have this little issue patched up by now…but unfortunately that isn’t the case. After a few minutes, however, you’ll be back to strumming like a pro and forget all about it.
Back to the set list, the songs included here do get the job done, despite the out-of-place oddballs. The Ramones’ take on the theme from Spider-Man never gets old, and Muse’s “Uprising” has enough energy to pick up any party. If what’s here isn’t enough, you can also import songs from previous games for fairly cheap (free for the first week, if you’re quick enough), including Guitar Hero 5, Guitar Hero Metallica and Band Hero. Downloadable songs will also be released regularly, and the first week’s offering, the entire Telephantasm album from Soundgarden, is awesome. (If you’re not convinced, the game comes packaged in with the CD at no extra charge. Pop it in your laptop and rock on.) While it drags in places (particularly during the fantasy-based Quest Mode) and could’ve used some touching up in terms of calibration, there’s no question that Guitar Hero is still a rock monster after all these years. Warriors of Rock satisfies with a mostly rousing list of songs, still-addictive-as-ever gameplay and plenty of options for both solo players and groups. The only question now is what’s left to do for the next time around. More Warriors of Rock? Guitar Hero 80’s? Hey, whatever, man. As long as we still get to throw up the horns.
