Guitar Hero World Tour

"Reviewing it on it's own, without comparing hugely to Rock Band."

Before I start, I would like to say the only Guitar Hero Game in the past I've played is number 3, and I've never played Rock Band. However, this review is what most should be. Something which reviews the game, without comparing it hugely to other games similar to it.

Introduction

Guitar Hero: World Tour is the next game in the Guitar Hero Series, as the “sequel” to Guitar Hero 3; it has a lot to live up to. It's added many new features in an attempt to compete with other games, and give the players something new.

Sound

This being a music game, I'll start with the most important aspect: Sound. When it comes to the list of songs in the game, it is really totally up to the player how good it is. I can't tell you if you'll like the songs, but personally I believe the songs available are fantastic. Bands such as Paramore, Dream Theatre, Metallica make this an excellent game. All I can recommend is to find a list of the available songs and see how you like them. There is also many songs that can be downloaded, and more to come. In case you don't like many of the songs on disc to begin with, however I believe there are plenty of songs that everybody can enjoy listening to.

The actual sounds of the game are very good, the songs are clear and high quality, and how the game will “mess up” the sound of a song as you begin to fail is nice, but that's been there since at least number 3. If you find that one instrument is to loud, you can change the volume of each individual instrument in the options. The menu sounds are average, they're not excellent but there is no reason for them to be. It's only a small part of the game and shouldn't get annoying.

Sound Rating: 9/10 – Plenty of Good songs that everyone can enjoy, it's all high quality and good to listen to.

Graphics

Graphics aren't that important in a game like this, as you'll mostly be staring at the notes coming towards you and not that venue full of people, unless you can play a song on performance mode that is. (Which removes the notes, leaving you to play the song with no guidance). In which case the graphics would be a nice thing to look at. Regardless, the graphics are very nice, they are slightly cartoony, rather than realistic which works really well for this type of game. Realistic graphics like GTAIV or GoW2 would ruin the game slightly in my opinion, and possibly turn away customers.

Graphics Rating: 9/10 – Nice to look at, no big obvious turn offs.

Gameplay

The Gameplay has changed a fair bit from GH3, a new (pathetically easy and boring for anyone) difficulty has been added. The General idea is the same for guitar hold down the note and strum. For Drums just hit the pads at the right time, for the microphone just sing the right words at the right pitch. (Easier said than done). The Guitar has changed slightly, Hammer ons and Pull offs are harder to perform and the touch pad can be used to perform some when the screen displays it by notes linked by a purple line. With enough practice, the touch pad is easily used. A new note is available for bass, where you just strum. Otherwise it's still the same fun you get from GH3.

Gameplay Rating: 9/10 – Easy to Learn, Hard to Master. But will be a lot of fun to play.

Peripherals

The game comes with 3 instruments: A Guitar, Drum Set (With Drum Sticks) and Microphone. The Guitar Hero 2/3 and Rock Band instruments all work with this game though. So there's plenty of variety. The WT tour Guitar is my favourite to play with, having used the GH2 and GH3 controllers that would cause my wrist a lot of pain for some reason, I don't get this issue with the WT tour guitar though. It's very comfortable to hold, and the touch pad works very well, once you get enough practice with it. The Drums work okay. There have apparently been lots of problems with them, though I don't know anyone who personally had a major problem. I'm unsure if it's due to drum problems, but I have to hit the cymbals in the centre, which means I often miss notes, but with a bit of practice that problem is eradicated. Any mic works with this game, as the one that comes with it appears to a standard one with the Guitar Hero Logo on it.

Peripherals Rating: 8/10 – With faulty drum kits around, I think it could be safe to try Rock band Drums. Though I personally don't know anyone with a major problem.

Multiplayer

Offline Multiplayer is very fun, and it's what the game really was made for. There's nothing better than finding 3 friends who want to play and just playing songs throughout the day and night in Quickplay or the Band Career. Online offers more options such as face offs where you try and play better than the other player(s) but it isn't as fun as having people in the room with you playing together, alternatively you get a group of friends around play a Band vs Band match against someone else online. Unfortunately, it's very hard to find a Band vs Band match. Any other game mode online only takes about 30 seconds and you can keep playing with that player until one of you leaves. Either way, you're still going to have fun playing with other people.

Multiplayer: 10/10 – Excellent, what you'll most likely be doing the most. It's a lot of fun playing with other people.

Replayability

If you enjoy getting all the achievements, this game will definitely last awhile. Besides that, there's loads of songs available and the ability to download songs adds to the list. Creating a huge amount of songs available to try and 100%. You can make your own songs, but I find this incredibly difficult. It would take a lot of practice to make a good song; luckily you can download songs people have made as well. Things such as “Banjo and Kazooie” are very fun to play. Also, with 5 Different Careers to play through, you'll be playing every song multiple times if you are a 100% completionist. Multiplayer is also gives more replayability.

Replayability Rating: 9/10 – Multiplayer, making your own songs; downloading others songs; downloading official songs and 5 different careers will keep you playing for a long time.

Final Recommendation

It's an excellent game in it's own right, especially with friends. I strongly recommended you get the Band Game, unless you don't have the money. Anyone can enjoy this game.

Overall Rating: 9/10

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 12/08/08

Game Release: Guitar Hero World Tour (Band Pack) (EU, 11/07/08)