Review: Guitar Hero III: Legends Of Rock (PS3)

The first Guitar Hero title released for the Playstation 3 does not differ from any of the rival format releases; however, for those gamers exclusively supporting Sony's new format, it represents an opportunity to experience what all the fuss is about and make use of the download facility. Shamefully, you are not able to use your Playstation 3 to enjoy previous releases on the Playstation 2 (or, it seems, your new guitar with the forthcoming Rock Band). Nevertheless, the wireless guitar is of decent quality and justifies the initial outlay to step into the world of Guitar Hero.

For those unaware, the brilliance of Guitar Hero is in its execution and simplicity. Following on from those initial foundations in Amplitude and Frequency, you simply press the relevant buttons as they appear on screen while strumming on time. It's that simple, and now in its third generation, executed with the professionalism of a leading guitarist. Speaking of which, Legends of Rock includes Slash (Guns n Roses) and Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine), both of who bring their contrasting styles to this release and must be overcome during boss encounters. These encounters feel out of place, as you not only complete with the song and its added bonus items, but also an opponent.

The career mode sees you joining a newly-formed band in search of stardom. By completing (or playing?) famous songs, you can progress through the various stages of fame progression - firstly to local clubs, then onto video shoots before arriving at arenas and world tours. As ever, the songs are the real stars here, but it is unfortunate that more couldn't have been done to replicate the drama and fun of being a rock star. Given the universal appeal of the franchise, Gamestyle admits that it could not be a realistic documentary, but more fun could be on offer here, including 'musical differences' and Spinal Tap moments.

As you complete each song, more are unlocked. Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock features a varied selection of tunes from across the decades, most of which are the artists' original recordings. Fans of guitar music should find something to enjoy, whether it is the venom of the Dead Kennedys, the classic 'Welcome to the Jungle' or the rampaging Iron Maiden. More unlikely selections are available in the Guitar Hero shop, where you can spend the points you've earned, including 'She Bangs the Drums' or the bitter anger of The Gallows.

However, your play list does not end there, as more encores are available through the download option, once you've unlocked everything. Here it is possible, via the PlayStation Network Store, to purchase packs from artists for a reasonable £3.99. Admittedly, Sony has been extremely slow in Europe to actually support this feature, with the first two packs (including a Foo Fighters offering) only debuting a few days ago. This is a persistent problem for all PlayStation 3 owners in Europe. Faced with delays in comparison to the equivalent Japanese and American stores, matters have to improve.

You can fly through Legends of Rock in a few hours on the easiest setting to unlock all the various songs, yet you'll only get to use all the buttons on the higher difficulty settings. This layered and inclusive approach means no-one is left out (even when playing together). It is an addictive and hugely enjoyable experience, one you will want to return to again and again. Taking on the higher difficulties is something you'll wish to do if you plan on showing off online. This works well against similar-skilled oponents, but as with most games, there are some dedicated and talented exponents online.

So far so good for Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, unsurprisingly... but it is not without its flaws. Firstly, being a multi-format title, it fails to really push the PlayStation 3 to any degree. This is highlighted tenfold if you are watching a friend play, as you can appreciate how lacklustre the stage sections and animations are. It becomes clear that this series has been produced to a strict formula and timeframe. Rather than buying guitars, skins and costumes from the shop, why not have a fully customisable mode? There is much more that could be offered than merely a gateway to paying for downloadable content.

So Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock is not the throbbing unadulterated solo that Gamestyle had hoped for, yet it remains far from mediocrity. With foundations as strong as this, very few developers could hit the wrong chord, although how much more cash-milking we can stomach without some worthwhile new inclusions other than songs remains to be seen.

Rating: 8 / 10

Words by Jason Julier