Metascore
82 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. The best song selection yet combined with unparalleled playability and a challenge for anyone from beginner to master makes this PS2’s definitive music game. A must-have for anyone who plays video games to have fun.
  2. 80
    The soundtrack is fantastic, and it really is hard to argue with any facet of the gameplay. Everything outside of the game itself, though, is in need of an overhaul as the presentation is growing a bit stale.
  3. Despite sharing the exact same innards as Guitar Hero II, Legends of Rock is, in every conceivable way, a better product than its predecessors. It's better presented, better put together, more professional, more complete.
  4. All the best stuff from the first two games has been kept in and everything that's been added just makes this GH the best yet. [Christmas 2007, p.80]
  5. Despite bringing Gamestyle many hours of joyous giddy pleasure and drooling, Guitar Hero III is a teensy bit of a letdown.
  6. The co-op career and battle modes are great fun, but had the new tracks been released for GH2 as downloadable content, we would no doubt have had just as much fun.
  7. Forget the other versions exist and enjoy this one for the boss battles, great multiplayer and all around good rockin’ time.
  8. Even with a new developer, the game doesn't miss a beat.
  9. The lack of Co-op Quickplay is disappointing and the Guitar Battles are lame, but Neversoft does the Guitar Hero formula proud and I eagerly await to see what they can do with part four.
  10. Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock is undoubtedly the best game in the series. The amazing soundtrack, superb wireless guitar, subtle tweaks, and excellent online multiplayer are exactly what fans have been wanting from the series.
  11. You're in for one hell of a good time. [Oct 2007, p.108]
  12. There has to be several of 70+ tracks on here that you'll enjoy a majority of if you're over 25. If you haven't jumped on the bandwagon by now, you won't be dissapointed.
  13. However, on the whole Guitar Hero III is a lot of fun to play and has plenty of tracks to keep virtual rock stars busy. Overall you won’t be disappointed with Legends of Rock.
  14. Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock will have you addicted until Guitar Hero IV comes out, and I can guarantee that your money will not go to waste on this game.
  15. As fun and addictive as the previous ones, although the increased difficulty might be a little intimidating to anyone who intends to join the Guitar Hero cult at this later stage. But the new Les Paul guitars, the co-op career and the fabulous track list form, once again, an incredible experience. [Dec 2007]
  16. But for a series that I have traditionally given perfect scores and continuous editorial awards, I can’t help but feel a bit let down by some personally distasteful music and poor note designs.
  17. This game is substantially harder than the previous two.
  18. There are two good reasons why you might need to ignore our “rent it” recommendation and go buy Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock right now. One, you’re absolutely sure you’ll have a blast playing with and against people online and moving up the leaderboards for a very, very long time to come (again, this isn’t an option on the PS2 version). Two, you can’t wait another minute to have your fingers tied in knots by the three-note chord and wiggly solo onslaughts this maniacally challenging game throws your way.
  19. Guitar Hero III ups the ante with increased difficulty and new modes, and though not everything it adds is fantastic, the excellent tracklist and stellar gameplay are sure to keep you hooked.
  20. Not having wires across the floor gives great freedom to the player and encourages stage antics, a great addition to any party.
  21. Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock is faithful in almost every aspect to the formula of success that Harmonix came up with, and the additions are few and meaningless.
  22. 80
    While Guitar Hero III is still an extremely solid game, there might as well be neon signs flashing in every venue: "isn't it time for you to get a new console?" You'll get your money's worth out of it, but it's hard to shake the feeling there's a better party going on somewhere else.
  23. Playing Guitar Hero III is like picking up a brand-new, fashionable (wireless!) guitar. It may have a light but solid body, a sexy and sophisticated shape, more durable strings, more easily adjustable tuners, and hell, it may just sound better, but it doesn’t have the spit and polish - that look of a mature instrument which reminds you of all the years you’ve spent with it, of all the sweat and beer stains.
  24. The game itself is an enjoyable experience for fans of the series – it’s tweaked just enough to warrant a purchase and the soundtrack is phenomenal. The lack of online and the new guitar controller are a bit of a disappointment, but the game still rocks and is recommended for those that have yet to take the next-gen console plunge.
User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 26 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 13
  2. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. The best GH game imo. The set list is amazing and the gameplay is a ton of fun. It's the one game of the series that I would absolutely recommend playing. Full Review »
  2. Legends of Rock is the best Guitar Hero to hit the PS2, and is still worth a buy if you find it at a bargain bin. Pros: Excellent setlist, including classic and modern rock; lots of unlockables; boss battles have improved since Guitar Hero II. Cons: The graphics just look average compared to the PS3 version; it's not exactly a cons against the games, but regardless of whether you like a track or not, you WILL have to play through it in story mode. Full Review »
  3. 9
    The apex of Guitar Hero's popularity, greatness, and content. Featuring few covers and covering a wide variety of music from the 60s to the present, this is the Magnum Opus by which all other rhythm games are measured. Full Review »