Co-op mode still lets you shred with a partner, while dividing the song into bass and lead guitar portions. Battle, on the other hand, allows players to go at each other by providing them with tricky implements rather than Star Power. The Battle Attacks include Difficulty Up, Broken String, The Lefty/Righty Flip, Power-Up Steal, and even Death Drain for Sudden Death battles, as well as others. Most players will be familiar with this set up and power-up usage, while novices should know that using attacks in Battle will simply allow you to gain an advantage over your opponent by throwing them off their game.

The best news of all is that these multiplayer modes are now available via Xbox LIVE or PSN. That means you'll always have someone to challenge whether you have friends over or not. During online play, we found there to be no lag and felt it was quite addictive. Plus, players of all skill levels will find similar competition. Face-off, Pro Face-off, and Battle modes are all available online as well. You can choose to play just one song or amp it up with a "best of 3, 5, or 7" series. In addition, there's the option to play co-op online with other players.

GH: Aerosmith can be purchased either as a bundle or as the game alone. The bundle includes a wireless Les Paul controller, a sweet red and white Aerosmith faceplate, and commemorative Tour Book for about $100. The game itself retails for nearly $60. True fans of Aerosmith will be happy to know that the game implements all the best features of Guitar Hero, while being centered on their favorite band. For everyone else, it seems a little pricey for a title with such limited song variety. That said, it is still a very enjoyable title and is executed remarkably well. Furthermore, other band-specific Guitar Hero titles are on the horizon. So, if you're not enamored by Aerosmith, it may be a better idea to hold off for now and wait for other editions more to your liking.

The visuals in GH: Aerosmith are classic. The cartoon likenesses of the band members and the faithful reproduction of important venues are almost scary (especially Steven Tyler). Because the crew at Neversoft was able to use master tracks for the songs, Aerosmith really comes to life. The vocals, percussion, and bass all seem to be nicely balanced, while still focusing on the importance of lead guitar. Both visuals and sounds are nicely rendered in GH: Aerosmith.

All in all, I was impressed by just how accessible Guitar Hero: Aerosmith is. The addition of a number of online multiplayer features really help to add much needed replayability to a title that focuses on a single band. Nonetheless, this is a title that will appeal more to fans of Aerosmith than to anyone else. Thankfully, the inclusion of master tracks and a slick menu interface means that this title sounds and plays exactly how it ought to. Look for the band-specific formula to become a steady performer for Activision, as these titles will be must-buys for true fans.

By Jonathan Marx
CCC Editor / News Director