Video Game: Guitar Hero Metallica

All right, I have heard that people didn’t like the Metallica Guitar Hero, but I was making a concerted effort to try as many Guitar Hero games as possible while I was with GameFly. I have discovered a few things: Guitar Hero improved considerably since its first inception, I really like GH2 and 80s as well as GH3, Guitar Hero Metallica is AWESOME!

Yes, you heard me. I really like Guitar Hero Metallica for PS2…. except the fact that it doesn’t recognise my songstar microphones.

This was apparently released after the band editions were released because it has options for multiple instruments. I want to get drums and an extra guitar with the new features on them. They look like they would be fun to learn. I am a bit upset that I would need to get a new microphone set though. For the record, I did try the mics on another singing program just to make sure there wasn’t connection problems. They worked fine.

What is different about the gameplay? I can’t really put my finger on it, but it seems like the play is a bit more accurate. I started play GH with the third version. When I went back to the original versions, I found so many issues it drove me crazy. I played GH3 again and tried to figure out how the play differed, but except for a different Heads-Up Display (or whatever you want to call it), there didn’t seem all that much difference.

I like the new notations, the Star Power is easier to see, the Star Rating bar in the corner is a nice added touch and I like the fact that the flashing signs don’t distract. Its easier to see when you are on a note streak because the bar is along the ‘Highway’ now.

I am a little irritated at how I can’t replay a song after I finish a song. I have to either stop it early and restart, or have to go through multiple loading screens. I am still waiting for a more interactive practice. I would like to be able to go to ‘practice’ from the end of a song and have it mark out the areas I had trouble with and play back just those parts over and over until I get it. I guess that is asking too much though.

I am not really keen on the playlists. I sort of liked the old style, but I can tell they are trying to compete with Rock Band in their new style. I do enjoy the fact that I can use multiple levels per song with the ability to change the difficulty from the song itself.

Like every game, I appreciate the finger movements required, but I really do wish they had a game system in place that taught actual instrument use. Other than the drums.

Tags: games, Guitar Hero, Metallica, music, ps2