Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s

 PlayStation 2
Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s Image
Metascore
69

Mixed or average reviews - based on 50 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 41 Ratings

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  • Summary: Fans can once again whip out their Gibson-shaped SG guitar controllers and shred to their favorite rock tracks. PS2-exclusive Guitar Hero: Rocks the 80s features retro rock venues and hipster characters, unlockable guitars, intense game play modes, and most importantly 30 awesome new songsFans can once again whip out their Gibson-shaped SG guitar controllers and shred to their favorite rock tracks. PS2-exclusive Guitar Hero: Rocks the 80s features retro rock venues and hipster characters, unlockable guitars, intense game play modes, and most importantly 30 awesome new songs to experience the ultimate rock star fantasy. The list of finger-melting tracks includes: I Wanna Rock (by Twisted Sister), I Ran (by Flock of Seagulls), Round and Round (by Ratt), I Want Candy (by Bow Wow Wow), Metal Health (by Quiet Riot) Holy Diver (by Ronnie James Dio) and Heat Of The Moment (by Asia). [Activision]… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 50
  2. Mixed: 27 out of 50
  3. Negative: 4 out of 50
  1. GotNext
    90
    It's a lot of (very familiar) fun, but like an overpriced concert t-shirt, there's no escaping the feeling that it's not quite the value it looked when enthusiasm had free reign over your wallet.
  2. Pelit (Finland)
    80
    Has maybe the most entertaining song list yet in any Guitar Hero game, but unfortunately they are all too easy to play even on the hardest difficulty setting. The price tag for only a 30 song upgrade is a bit hefty, too. Still, it is fun for a sudden bout of 80s nostalgia. [Sept 2007]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. GamesRadar+
    80
    In spite of all these shortcomings, this is still Guitar Hero and the formula still works - this remains one of the best games ever for anyone who has ever thought even for one second that it would be cool to be a rock star (i.e.: everyone). Just be sure to check out the song list if you weren't around to hear this stuff the first time.
  4. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    70
    The unavoidable truth is that this tracklist simply isn't as strong as those in the previous games. [Oct 2007, p.106]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. GameSpot
    70
    There are certainly some bona fide '80s showstoppers on this expansion, but all told, this is Guitar Hero II with a coat of neon paint and half as much content.
  6. Jolt Online Gaming UK
    64
    With Harmonix moving on to the extremely ambitious Rock Band and Neversoft taking over the Guitar Hero reigns, it’s sad to see the series’ creators bow out of their own creation with such a purposefully half-arsed effort.
  7. TotalPlayStation
    30
    Here's a dumb idea: rushing an expansion by regurgitating nearly all of the original game and delivering minimal compelling content. Here's a dumber one: charing $10 more than normal so unsuspecting consumers will pad your fiscal third quarter.

See all 50 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 24
  3. Negative: 10 out of 24
  1. mathcristian
    Jul 14, 2020
    10
    Um dos melhores spin-off da série Guitar Hero. As músicas fazem referência direta aos anos 80 pois a seleção de música do jogo é compostaUm dos melhores spin-off da série Guitar Hero. As músicas fazem referência direta aos anos 80 pois a seleção de música do jogo é composta pelos melhores rocks daquela época. Gostei bastante; o melhor Guitar Hero na minha opinião.… Expand
  2. KevinR.
    Jul 31, 2007
    8
    Is it too expensive and far too short? Yes. But it's still Guitar Hero, and most of the songs, while not great, are solid and fun to Is it too expensive and far too short? Yes. But it's still Guitar Hero, and most of the songs, while not great, are solid and fun to play, if not all that hard. If you can, wait for it to drop to $29.99 or less and you'll have a great deal. If you just hate the 80s, wait for Guitar Hero III and Rock Band.… Expand
  4. Luigithemetal64
    Sep 23, 2013
    7
    The songs are great. WaveGroup made the their covers sound just a good. The only thing I dislike is that the game cost $50. So, go to GamestopThe songs are great. WaveGroup made the their covers sound just a good. The only thing I dislike is that the game cost $50. So, go to Gamestop and find one that is cheap as $20.… Expand
  5. JoeW.
    Jul 26, 2007
    6
    I definitely like that there are more songs and they are definitely fun to play, but it is kinda lacking in the ways of 80's songs you I definitely like that there are more songs and they are definitely fun to play, but it is kinda lacking in the ways of 80's songs you actually would wanna play (opinionated). I guess 30 songs is decent (even though the last had over 40 counting bonus songs), but less characters, and lack of costumes doesn't make the game worth $49.99. However, if you COULD have at least either gotten extra for having a normal career, or even better, been able to play off your old one, or at least kept your guitars, I might not be as soar about the hit straight to my wallet (when all is said and done, the extra time should have been put in just for the little extra then fans would like).… Expand
  6. LeoJ.
    Jul 26, 2007
    4
    It's hard to like GH 80s. It brings less to the table than a TV dinner. Songlist? It's short, with many selections that raise It's hard to like GH 80s. It brings less to the table than a TV dinner. Songlist? It's short, with many selections that raise eyebrows as high as any New Wave hairstyle. "Lonely Is The Night"? "Shakin'"? "Turning Japanese"? "I Ran"? The really awful 80s covers of "Ballroom Blitz" and "Radar Love"? Who was responsible for this screwjob? It doesn't really get to rocking by any definition until near the end, and before you know it the whole experience ends. There's very few changes from GH2; you're more likely to find things that are missing than added. Most of what differentiates this package from GH2 is eye candy, with only six 80s styled characters (good-bye Xavier, Clive, Casey, Eddie, and Lars), one unlockable character, no bonus music, no videos, and no special guitars. Many of the graphical elements are exactly the same or only have minor "80s Tweaks", like changing what Axel and Judy are wearing during the opening cartoon or making bits of the menu screens more pastel. It's pointless and annoying. Worst of all, this thing is EASY. Since the playlist stays away from power metal, glam rock, deathmetal, and whathaveyou, instead choosing to stay warm in the confines of hair rock and guitar pop, most songs are straight ahead lather-riff-repeat numbers, where you'll wind up playing the same exact pattern over and over for three to five minutes. Yawn. Even on Hard it's a cake walk. (Except for "Play With Me", of course...) Truth from someone with hours and hours and hours invested in the previous Guitar Hero games? Save yer cash for GH3 and Rock Band.… Expand
  7. RobertD.
    Jul 29, 2007
    3
    The game should be titled: "Guitar Hero Encore: Buttrocks of the 80s" You can hardly call any of the songs included with this title The game should be titled: "Guitar Hero Encore: Buttrocks of the 80s" You can hardly call any of the songs included with this title "rocking", and for approx. $1.77 per song ($49.99 + 7% tax = $53.49 / 30 songs = $1.77) you can feel completely shafted! Not only is there a ridiculously sparse 30 songs, but there are fewer in-game characters to chose from and the menu screen has remained unchanged from Guitar Hero 2. If you enjoy money AND *real* 80s rock, then save your money for Guitar Hero 3. Goodness knows it'll be worth it.… Expand
  8. fuyuyuki
    Sep 7, 2020
    1
    guitar hero 2 with an ugly, lazy coat of paint. this game just leaves so much to be desired

See all 24 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

46
#46 Best PS2 Game of 2007
6
#6 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2007
25
#25 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2007