For those wanting to play with a friend, the cutscenes will be slightly different so you will honestly want to play through this mode as well in order to get the full experience. Speaking of the full experience, you had better find a friend to accompany you in the career co-op mode. Otherwise, you will not be able to unlock certain songs, such as Sabotage from the Beastie Boys and Suck My Kiss by Red Hot Chili Peppers, to play in quickplay on your own. This was a bit of a nasty move for those of us who don't play well with others, but it is worth it in the end. While this is irritating, you also cannot play co-op in quickplay. You have to play it in the career mode designated for co-op. This is a small thing, but irritating nonetheless.

While the updated graphics, slicker gameplay modes, and online gameplay are great additions, it is the song selection that makes Guitar Hero 3 worth picking up. With such titles as Metallica's One, Pearl Jam's Evenflow, Stevie Ray Vaughn's Pride and Joy, and a rendition of The Devil Went Down to Georgia that will either break your fingers or make them so numb you won't feel anything leading the charge, there's no reason for anyone to not find a handful of song's they enjoy. The battle tracks with Slash and Tom Morello are truly entertaining instead of the feared let down they could have been. The best thing that could have happened to Guitar Hero is the original master track of the songs being played instead of sometimes questionable covers, and here there is an abundance of these beautiful original recordings. Even, for the most part, the covers are handled nicely and are never truly disgraceful to the original source.

As I previously stated, this is the Guitar Hero to have. While it may not be a true revolutionary step forward, it does take its strides towards what I one day hope the Guitar Hero series will achieve. With a difficulty system that will progressively prepare you for the next levels, and a track list of over 70 songs with more to come, Guitar Hero could be the franchise that is returning rock to the spotlight it seems to have been slightly vacant from for a few years. I could not be happier to see these Legends of Rock finally getting the recognition they deserve in all forms of entertainment. Prepare your devil horns, and deliver the axe shredding you know you are destined for.

By Matthew Walker
CCC Project Coordinator

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