Developers: Neversoft (Xbox 360 & PS3); Budcat Creations (Wii & PS2)
Publisher: Activision
Platforms: PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360
Played on: Xbox 360
Rated: T (Teen)
Rating: 8.9 out of 10
The Deal: Before they decided to let the world “behind the curtain” to see that they were a bunch of middle-aged dudes with a tendency to whine and talk about their feelings, Metallica was one of the world’s heaviest bands. Sure, there were louder, faster, more kickass groups, but Metallica threw insanely complex riffs and beats, dark themes like war, suicide and murder, and a non-compromising attitude into a smelting pot to came up with one heavy and distinct brand of metal. And the fans loved it. Before ever deigning to make their first video or having songs on the radio, the band was selling out stadiums and arenas across the globe.
Reconnecting the band with this spirit of heaviness is what makes Guitar Hero: Metallica such a great game. At the same time, the setlist manages to take the already challenging Guitar Hero franchise to new a whole new realm of difficulty—honoring the often complex arrangements of the band’s work.
Is it enough to make Guitar Hero: Metallica a worthy addition to the GH franchise?
The Good…
- The setlist is a solid offering of the band’s greatest hits. Sure, there are some notable omissions (“…And Justice for All” comes to mind, due to licensing for Rock Band), but one would be hard pressed to complain about the song selection—especially when you’re shredding through the outro of “One.” The non-Metallica tunes are solid, too, with a nice mix of old (Judas Priest) and new (Mastodon).
- Obviously when you’re dealing with the likes of Metallica, Slayer, Judas Priest and Mastodon, you’re going to be looking at some blistering (though tasty) riffage. This keeps the game challenging and fresh, with a ton replay opportunity. The drums are no slouch either, especially if you opt for the double kick pedals.
- Extras for Metallica fans abound. Behind the scenes footage, pop-up facts, galleries, lyrics and other great little touches that make the game feel like a labour of love rather than a crass money grab.
The Bad…
- Having missed the chance with classic Aerosmith, we were sort of hoping Guitar Hero would use Metallica as an excuse to introduce a two guitar attack into their games. Sadly, they didn’t and you’re stuck with the guitar-bass option—which is fine, but seems like a squandered opportunity. Especially with all those harmonized interludes James and Kirk lay down.
Final Word: They don’t reinvent the wheel for Guitar Hero: Metallica. They don’t have to. Awesome is awesome, no matter how you spin it.
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