Guitar Hero: Metallica Review for PlayStation 3 (PS3)

System: X360, PS3, Wii, PS2	Review Rating Legend
Dev: Neversoft	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: Activision	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Release: March 29, 2009	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	5.0 = The Best
Players: 1-4	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
ESRB Rating: Teen	3.5 - 3.9 = Good

If you liked how Guitar Hero: Aerosmith told the history of the band and gave little bits here and there to allow diehard fans to know more about them, GH: Metallica will surely please. There are even a few things that will surprise hardcore fans. The way the additional content is delivered is through behind the scenes, making of documentaries for how the game was made, notes from past shows, lyric sheets for aspiring singers, and photos.

Guitar Hero: Metallica screenshot

There is another interesting addition for getting the info you need on GH: Metallica called Metallifacts. If you've ever seen Pop-Up Video on VH1, then you already know the concept. The game will take control from you and you just sit back and watch the stylized video of the songs you've chosen. Then, little facts about the band, the song, and various other informational goodies surrounding those particular songs pop up throughout the video. This is a perfect way to watch the game when you need to take a break. It allows you to see all the small things they paid attention to while character modeling, specifically the lip-synching. Capturing nearly all of Jame's mannerisms has set the bar high for the next time either Rock Band or Guitar Hero comes out with a new iteration. If all of these Metallica-centric options are not enough for you, be sure to check out the Battle mode to see the new attacks named after some of Metallica's hit songs to change the pacing of the battle. New attacks include Fade to Black, which blacks out everything on the player's screen and Trapped Under Ice, which literally freezes the whammy bar.

Of course, the controls won't surprise anyone, at least with the microphone and guitars; they feel the same as they always have. However, the drums received a new mode called Expert+. This mode is something all Rock Band and Guitar Hero fans should aspire to. This mode is so insane that you have to have a second kick pedal in order to fully immerse yourself into the song. Is it required? No, but if you are a completionist, you won't feel accomplished without at least being able to check that out. Because Expert+ demands the use of the second kick pedal, it is important to point out that even though the Rock Band and Rock Band 2 drum kits will work for Guitar Hero: Metallica, you can not use the second kick pedal with them.

Guitar Hero: Metallica is nearly everything that a fan would want. An amazing track list compiling important songs from every album of the bands history, solid character animations of the band, accurate representations of the stages the band has played on that fans will recognize, a digital "diary" of the band, and even special attacks in the Battle mode. There's not much else you could ask for. Guitar Hero: Metallica sets the bar for upcoming band-specific titles. Let's hope they can keep up with the Metal Rock Gods.

By Matthew Walker
CCC Project Coordinator

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

4.2

Graphics
Similar flair as the Guitar Hero: World Tour game. The models for the band are amazing and the lip-synching work for the songs raises the bar for music games to come.

4.5

Control
Same Guitar Hero controls we have come to love. The inclusion of the second bass pedal creates an epic drum session that may tear your house down.

4.8

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
It's Metallica. 'Nuff said.

4.4

Play Value
If you are a fan of Metallica, then you will want this. Even if you are only a moderate fan, the new addition of Expert+ for the drums will make you into a fan of Metallica.

4.5

Overall Rating - Must Buy
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

Over 20 Superstar Guest Acts: Featuring acts chosen by Metallica ranging from Queen, to Alice in Chains, Lynrd Skynrd, and the Foo Fighters, jam to a wide variety of high-energy rock for Guitar Hero. Go beyond the music of Metallica to bands they collaborated with, the music that inspired them, and acts they admired.

Authentic Metallica Experience: GH: Metallica has you playing as the band with their motion captured moves and likeness, capturing the full presence and intensity of James, Lars, Kirk, and Robert. Take the stage on amazing, epic venues featuring famous Metallica stages and iconic imagery. All tracks and content are "Metallica Approved."

Full Guitar Hero World Tour Feature Set: All the instruments are back in the next Guitar Hero: rock on guitar, bass, vocals, and drums. Up to four players can join together and rock locally, or battle other bands online with up to eight players. Guitar Hero: Metallica includes the "Rock Star Creator," playing with friends online, the full Music Studio, and the user-created music sharing service, GH Tunes. Finally, play the Death Magnetic downloadable content as Metallica.

New Content and Gameplay: The game supports two kick pedals in a new "Expert +" mode, letting you drum like Lars on two bass drums. Go deeper into Metallica with videos straight from Metallica concerts and the option to test your Metallica know-how on any song you beat with facts on the band's history, and how guest acts are tied to Metallica. Metallica has added their own touch from the attacks in Battle Mode to the effects in the Music Studio.