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Guitar Hero 5 Xbox 360
User Score
6.8 out of 10

Mixed or average reviews- based on 95 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 64 out of 95
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 95
  3. Negative: 23 out of 95

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  1. TheDude
    Oct 1, 2009
    9
    Wow! I can't believe how many people are bagging on the tracklist here. I actually like it quite a bit. Santana, Tom Petty, Nirvana, Coldplay, The Raconteurs, The White Stripes, The Rolling Stones, Johnny Cash, The Kings of Leon, Wolfmother, Dire Straits, Smashing Pumpkins, The Queens of the Stone Age, etc. It seems pretty sweet to me. And, like with most of these games, a lot of the songs that I've never heard before are growing on me too. This is actually my favorite Guitar Hero since Guitar Hero 2, and my favorite of all the games to incorporate the whole band. Hey, I like both Rockband games, and World Tour was okay, but I'd lost interest for the most part finally from too many parties where I was stuck on the bass all night. It was about as fun as watching Matlock. On a black and white tv. With bad reception. Well, actually it got to be less fun than that. In Guitar Hero 5 you can have 4 guitarists if you want, or 4 drummers, or 2 drummers and 2 guitarists, or four vocalists, etc, any combo you want. That has totally revitalized this style of game for me. And, even though it doesn't seem like it should matter, getting to use my Xbox Live avatar in the game totally rocks too. Seeing him kung fu kick and get down after a good number is awesome. I've also finally decided that I just flat out prefer the Guitar Hero interface. I had made the switch to Rockband, but going back and forth I just don't care for the weird grid with the squares for the notes. Switching between The Beatles Rockband and this, it was clear. Anyway, this game is awesome, I'm loving it, I'll have a blast playing through it on guitar and then again on drums, and I get Guitar Hero: Van Halen for free for buying it. Badass.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. NathanJ.
    Sep 1, 2009
    1
    Didn't I buy this game already this year? I am a drummer and a singer in these games so I'm always disappointed with Guitar Hero. This addition unabashedly ignores the singers and drummers, The vocal system is still as bas as it was in GHWT and the drums feel even worse. This version also has the worst setlist in music game history. Do not buy.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. ZachRowland
    Sep 16, 2009
    9
    Ok, first of all, everybody needs to stop complaining about the soundtrack selection in this game. I think this game has the best stock song selection since GH3, maybe since GH2. It's not all about Dragonforce or Symphony X, sure they're very challenging, but I would personally rather play songs I love, i.e. Sultans of Swing and Comedown. I five star every song on expert guitar the first time I play it anyway. My G/T is theJumboNutZack if you don't believe me-check it.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  4. AhskM.
    Sep 1, 2009
    1
    Sadly, yet another poor emulation of Harmonix greatness. As if sucking the life out of a franchise by any means necessary wasn't bad enough - Activision, more specifically Neversoft further tarnishes the genre with their newest addition to the 'Hero' universe. Instead of producing a quality game experience they simply attempt to win consumers over with mass misleading marketing and 'star power' (by including the likenesses of unfortunately willing musicians). Rent it if you dare. It's nothing new - same old chuck-e-cheese band style robo-animation - with each iteration Neversoft comes closer to achieving the beautiful and unique stylization of the Rock Band series - however, that finish line will never be reached.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  5. AstorS
    Sep 22, 2009
    8
    I am a Harmonix fanboy, but I'm not afraid to admit that I enjoyed this game. For groups, this game is much faster to jump into, is easier to configure mid-song, and you don't have four people squabbling over who has to sing. The setlist is lacking in heavy difficulty songs, and the hardcore gamers will definately end up replaying a select few songs. Some songs such as "Du Hast" use alternate instruments to spice up the song, but Harmonix has been just as guilty of this (i.e. Guitar Hero 2 with "Carry on Wayward Son" and Rock Band's DLC for "Smokin'"), and it only makes the song more interesting to play. Since Rock Band focuses on having every song under the sun, Neversoft sticks to adding onto the gameplay of its oversaturated franchise, and it works pretty well.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  6. AndrewS.
    Sep 6, 2009
    2
    It must be terribly soul-crushing to the developers of this series to be handed a highlight reel from your competition and told "forget your own ideas, copy this, and make sure it ships holiday 09." Anything this game has, Rock Band 2 already does and does better. In this game there is no originality. No creativity. It is just another cash-in money grab sequal with a bad setlist. It is embarrassing to see how the mighty have fallen. And Guitar Hero has certainly fallen. I give it a two rating just because in the 80+ refuse of the setlist there are a few gems.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  7. CalebH
    Oct 21, 2009
    7
    Accessibility; that's what Guitar Hero 5 is all about. Making an experience that anyone can jump into, right from the get-go. Better than past iterations, but never again will the Guitar Hero franchise be a trailblazer. Setlist is inanely eclectic, game modes are over done, vocals are broken, and the ability to use any combination of instruments is as pointless as the mindless (yet somewhat fun) "improved" music studio. Guitar Hero 5 further cements my belief that the series will forever be in the shadows of its bigger and better rival, Rock Band. Guitar Hero 5 is a jack-of-all-trades, and master of none. Rock Band is the clear master, now.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  8. Robert
    Sep 13, 2009
    0
    This is by far the WORST music game I have ever played. The new features are nothing but mere gimmicks to add bullet points to the back of the box and the song list is beyond pathetic. Also, having Kurt Cobain and Johnny Cash sing Bon Jovi songs is beyond insulting. Activision should be ashamed of releasing such a despicable product. Buy The Beatles: Rock Band to see how artists should be treated by videogame makers.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  9. JohnS.
    Sep 2, 2009
    5
    Good technical advances, but the tracklist is shockingly bad. This is GUITAR hero, people. How about some songs that you can actually air guitar to? 5/10 - Not enough rock, not enough riffs!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  10. RickM
    Sep 28, 2009
    9
    Nice improvements on graphics, the new modes like Party Play, challenges, and Rock Fest are great new features. Love the ability to create, save and load your own setlists! Play whatever instrument you want is a HUGE success at parties. Decent setlist. Detailed sorting and information displayed per song. Can't really think of any downsides to the game. Well maybe one. On multiplayer its hard to see the base pedal not since it comes up white. Not so good, but minor.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  11. MichaelB.
    Sep 6, 2009
    10
    The most user friendly, good looking, fun to play music title available. It hits all the right notes (if you'll pardon the pun), and is extremely fun. Will keep you busy for quite some time. This is a must own game for any music game fan, period.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  12. SethB
    Nov 9, 2009
    3
    I was certainly disappointed when I paid 60 whole dollars for a game that hasn't improved in any way from World Tour. The new "features", if you can even call it that, are incredibly underwhelming, with each one having already been done well by Rock Band. The music setlist in this game is terrible, in my opinion. There are a few good songs, however, but even these become tedious when you realize that everyone else that played the game thought the same way about the music. The rest of the songs are uninteresting to play, and most players being younger, don't recognize them. (And seriously, Du Hast? Surely you can be more creative than THAT.) Overall, very disappointing game, I'd advise renting this game instead of buying it. But then again, I'd advise you to not even play it.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  13. [Anonymous]
    Sep 1, 2009
    3
    The set-list is pure garbage. I wish I was speaking out of opinion, but to be honest I will give any type of music a listen...ANY TYPE, and these songs fail to impress. Yes, there have been many new features added as said in previous media reviews but the key to any (and I mean ANY) music game is obviously the songs, and this game misses the mark completely. Neversoft ignores veterans of the series by putting on terrible music that is actually poorly charted. Sorry I must have completely forgotten the time in Du Hast where the guitarist (Richard Z. Kruspe) plays the keyboard part of the song. Yes it does give the player a little break from the monotonous flow of the song, but to be honest, if a song is monotonous to begin with, why put it in a video game where you have to play it? Neversoft just seemed to play to the masses (read: Demographic) and put really crappy songs that had the highest probability of people recognizing them. Sorry but this Guitar Hero is the worst in series. Yes even worse than you World Tour.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  14. DJF.Afterlong
    Sep 12, 2009
    9
    Ill be quiet honest with you guys for hating on the game......OK ill go right to he point, Animations and ghraphics are not the best, song list may be a whole lot of crap but, don't you noticed that they're( Guitar Hero and Rock Band franchises) loosing audience. Yes they actually are because the monotomy of hitting those same plastic buttons and that same ol' strum bar is amazingly repetitive, and that's why they're are putting more casual songs on the game, and that's why people are hating on the game. Just because they're are trying to attract more people with other types of songs doesn't mean it's a bad game. Plus all the new fetures will having you playing for a long time… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  15. BlueFalcon
    Sep 14, 2009
    4
    I don't understand the constant love of this series. The main "advance" for this game is the new songs. Otherwise it plays pretty much the same as before. It's certainly not worth the full pricetag. I have a theory that people (including me) keep buying the same game over and over to justify their big guitar controller.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  16. HarveyBedford
    Sep 15, 2009
    5
    before you go and buy this game, please listen closely. if you haven't already heard there is a game much better than this one called "Rock Band 2". this new entry in the guitar hero series goes on to show everyone that all the developers care about is money, plain and simple. they copy everything from rock band just to cash in. the worst part about it is their lack of game support through downloadable content. game wise, its the same thing. graphics have been upped a little bit. but don't get this game. if my review doesn't sway you i hope seeing Kurt Cobain likeness playing Blink-182 song while jumping looking like an idiot does. these developers have no respect for the dead.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  17. JeffreyW
    Sep 21, 2009
    9
    Finally! A music game that doesn't limit your fantasies! I wish Rock Band had thought of all these innovations earlier, I mean, they DIDN'T have Drop In/Drop Out play to make the game like a jukebox (which is the greatest thing to ever grace the music game world) they DIDN'T have all those new competitive modes such as momentum and perfectionist and all the other modes from rock-fest. And while I agree the setlist is less than spectacular, it IS still very good and I actually found some new stuff to love in the list (wouldn't have EVER known Runnin' Down A Dream :P). Also, while I don't know if anyone else appreciates this, I absolutely LOVE the ability to edit the characters in your band (I was finally able to make a band of all my real-life idols :3) and the quality of the note tracks is exquisite if not perfect (although I may have a few things to say about playing keyboard, which just seems to artificially make tracks more difficult). I think Guitar Hero has mastered what a music game should be, a fun fantasy-simulator which only has the limits that you set for yourself. Don't get me wrong, though, Rock Band has the song availability down (and it still gets a 10/10 for its time), I just have a lot of complaints about the limitations of being able to control what's going on in my band (like having a band of all me :D) and not being able to play with 2 or more guitars (no one i know "likes" playing bass) and the lack of an ability to just let music play while you do something else when you get tired (jukebox!). I think if Guitar Hero just started doing it Rock Band's way with the songs from here on out, I don't think ANYONE can argue that it will be the best music game ever to grace the earth. I honestly think this game has dethroned Rock Band as the ultimate music game on the market (and I doubt LEGO Rock Band will change that). Still, point off for a not-so-glamorous setlist and rarely questionable note tracks.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  18. JoeStudent
    Sep 21, 2009
    9
    By far the most user friendly music game yet. It goes beyond just normal "get a high score" approach. The challenges make you want to go back to the career sometimes to get those extra stars. The Rockfest game mode is great because, once again, it breaks from the normal high score approach and adds different challenges and objectives. The only thing that gets me down is the setlist. Out of those 80+ songs, there are maybe 15-25 that I like, and only about 15 songs that I knew before I got the game.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  19. ChrisI
    Sep 22, 2009
    9
    I don't get why people give this such low scores just because of the track list. There's more to music than the new-metal hip hop genre. Most of the songs on the game are fun to play along to and listen to, which is what makes a music game. The features 5 adds are certainly welcome, and the attention to detail is impressive as ever. The lowering of the frame rate to 30FPS was quite the annoyance; The game doesn't feel as smooth as past titles. However, the new instruments are a plus, the songs are fun, the celebrities look astounding, and this game is the second best entry in the Guitar Hero franchise, hands down. The first being Guitar Hero: Metallica.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  20. GeorgeS.
    Sep 5, 2009
    10
    Awesome game for parties. The drop in-out party play mode is just fantastic. Forget Rock Band and it's finnicky menus, if you just want to enjoy yourself with your buddies and rock out to some music, this is the game to get!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  21. Fei
    Sep 11, 2009
    0
    A cash in, a commodity, no respect or honor for the artists. This is the same game with a new tracklist that couldve easily been downloaded into gh4. You are paying for presentation and a few new feature sets.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  22. AndrewH
    Dec 25, 2009
    9
    This is the best version of Guitar Hero yet. The game is improved over last years release in almost every way. The most interesting new feature is the instrument specific challenges for every song. It adds a whole new level of depth and gives you a reason to play in a way that is different than you're used to. The set list is fantastic, it includes 85 songs, the vast majority of which are great choices. It also includes the ability to import some of the songs from GH:WT and GH: Smash Hits. It's somewhat disappointing that you can't import all the songs, but still you get quite a few at a bargain price. If you're not already heavily invested in Rock Band DLC then I'd highley recommend this as a purchase, Neversoft as finally surpassed Harmonix in the rythm game category with this excellent game.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
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Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
85 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 69 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 63 out of 69
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 69
  3. Negative: 0 out of 69
  1. GamingTrend
    90
    While some of the features come off half baked as they aren't applied globally, most of the improvements add up to something greater than their individual parts. The animation, lip synch, graphic improvements, vocal modes, new multiplayer modes, and the addition of Party Play add up to a product that is more than the shiny track pack that some folks might expect.
    Read full review
  2. GameDaily
    90
    The presentation hasn't changed much and the gameplay still revolves around the same note hitting formula, but if you love music (and who doesn't), you can't afford to miss this latest jam.
    Read full review
  3. GamePro
    90
    An incredibly solid title with plenty to see, do and most importantly, rock out to. Brandishing some stellar new Competitive play concepts (Do or Die, Momentum) not to mention some incredibly creative new stages to play on, Guitar Hero 5 stays true to its franchise roots and rocks just about as hard as anyone could expect it to. With its astounding variety and tried-and-true formula, it's truly hard to find fault with Guitar Hero 5 without resorting to nitpicking.
    Read full review
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