Guitar Hero 5

 PlayStation 3
Guitar Hero 5 Image
Metascore
86

Generally favorable reviews - based on 54 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
5.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 94 Ratings

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  • Summary: For the first time ever, players can customize the make-up of their band by rocking with any combination of instruments in-game: whether it be two guitars and two drums, or three guitars and a microphone, any combination is possible, allowing players to experience music their own way. BrandFor the first time ever, players can customize the make-up of their band by rocking with any combination of instruments in-game: whether it be two guitars and two drums, or three guitars and a microphone, any combination is possible, allowing players to experience music their own way. Brand new, innovative, easy-to-use gameplay modes like Party Play and RockFest put fun, competition and control at center stage as fans tailor the Guitar Hero experience to match their personal style and interests. For extended hours of entertainment, downloadable content from Guitar Hero World Tour is compatible with the game and can automatically be updated to include all of the upgrades and enhancements of Guitar Hero 5. Guitar Hero 5 features the strongest, most varied set list to-date comprised of master tracks from 85 of the hottest bands of today and the biggest classic acts including; Kings of Leon, The Rolling Stones, The White Stripes, Santana, Vampire Weekend, Tom Petty, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, plus more than 25 artists from a variety of music genres that are making their music video game debut. Among the first-time-ever features of Guitar Hero 5 are: Party Play, where players can jump in or drop out of gameplay seamlessly; RockFest, a comprehensive competitive experience available featuring five new head-to-head modes playable online or in your living room; and the ability to play the entire set-list from the first time the game is turned on. Guitar Hero 5 refines the player experience, enhances the art style and redesigns core features such as GHMusic StudioSM, making it the most accessible, fun-to-play and authentic experience for seasoned music gamers as well as first-time players. New innovations such as Band Moments, where bands are rewarded for hitting special note streams together and song challenges where gamers are tasked to play through a song a specific way, add a new competitive layer of excitement and accomplishment to the music rhythm genre. [Activision]… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 50 out of 54
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 54
  3. Negative: 0 out of 54
  1. 1UP
    100
    The multiplayer is easier to jump into than Rock Band, but the game's more intense difficulty settings still provide a challenge for the plastic-instrument elitist. The franchise still has a long way to go to catch up to Rock Band's mind-bogglingly large library of downloadable songs, but, on the software side, GH5 is the current feature leader.
  2. PSX Extreme
    92
    I simply cannot resist. And as a little tidbit, I discovered that Sony's SingStar mics work with the game, as well. Once again Activision has put together an extremely convincing soundtrack and have earned my attention.
  3. Hardcore Gamer
    90
    If you’re intoGuitar Hero, buy this game. It’s one of the most solid Guitar Hero titles yet and should keep you busy for a long time.
  4. IGN
    89
    The accessibility, streamlined presentation, solid note charts, and welcome gameplay improvements make this the best Guitar Hero game in recent memory.
  5. 3DJuegos
    85
    Guitar Hero 5 manages to achieve a huge leap, and brings a great game after the unremarkable Guitar Hero: World Tour.
  6. GameZone
    80
    The setlist simply did not pull me into this game. There were some good tunes (Frampton rocks!), a couple of nice discoveries, but Guitar Hero is about the songs and while the gameplay, mechanics, and options are nicely handled, the track list failed to impress.
  7. PS3bloggen.se
    60
    The Guitar Hero series is in dire need of new ideas, and the ones that are introduces in this version are far from enough. The uninspired track listing and meager importing possibilities from previous games makes this purchase less than essential.

See all 54 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 18
  3. Negative: 5 out of 18
  1. MikeC.
    Sep 6, 2009
    10
    Best music game to date. Looking at the track list when it was announced I was really dissappointed. But as I played the game I really had a Best music game to date. Looking at the track list when it was announced I was really dissappointed. But as I played the game I really had a great time, with or without my friends. Albeit, there is not a lot of people online once you do get on it works flawlessly, with minimal loading. The new features blew my mind, party mode was unbelievable fluid, dropping in and out worked as expected and it was a lot of fun to just mess around and have a good time. Graphically the game surpassed Rock Band and I was really impressed by the visuals. Animations are fluid, even more so then Rock Band. If you love Rock Band, you'll love Guitar Hero 5, not a doubt in my mind.… Expand
  2. MikeS.
    Sep 1, 2009
    10
    The best GH game to date, and if DLC doesn't disappoint in the coming month, we might have the best Band rythm game of all time on our The best GH game to date, and if DLC doesn't disappoint in the coming month, we might have the best Band rythm game of all time on our hands. Truely stellar!… Expand
  4. notmichael
    Jan 31, 2015
    9
    If you have a varied taste in music, then you'll love this. Endless replayability, the gameplay has been highly refined to approaching theIf you have a varied taste in music, then you'll love this. Endless replayability, the gameplay has been highly refined to approaching the perfect music game.… Expand
  5. trevh
    Sep 22, 2009
    6
    Very dissapointed with this game, the tracklist is poor and while the unlockable star characters are a nice addition there is nothing else to Very dissapointed with this game, the tracklist is poor and while the unlockable star characters are a nice addition there is nothing else to keep me interested. On a lot of the songs the notes you play don't seem to fit in with the music at all. Graphics are average at best. The last GH song I ever buy.… Expand
  6. JoseG.
    Sep 9, 2009
    5
    The problem with guitar hero is that, since 3, it feels like the music goes on without you. You never get that sense that YOU are playing the The problem with guitar hero is that, since 3, it feels like the music goes on without you. You never get that sense that YOU are playing the part, only playing along, which IMHO just kills the whole damn experience. I still find the first GH to be the most enjoyable in the rock out factor.… Expand
  7. NathanH.
    Sep 9, 2009
    4
    Though technically successful, Guitar Hero 5 fails to deliver on the most crucial aspect of the game: the music. While I do understand that Though technically successful, Guitar Hero 5 fails to deliver on the most crucial aspect of the game: the music. While I do understand that there are vastly different tastes in music, the songs chosen for this game is by far the worst of the franchise thus far. For every decent band or song there are at least two songs that are obscure and unknown, inappropriate for a guitar and band themed game (Coldplay in a rock game...really?), or could be replaced by a much better song out of the band's catalog (is there really nothing better than "Plug in Baby" that can be included for Muse?). Bottom Line: Though the graphical and technical updates are nice, the ability to play any instrument you desire, while convenient, betrays the band feel that I hope was originally desired, and the song list is awful. Skip this and stick to either World Tour or one of the expansion games like Aerosmith or Metallica.… Expand
  8. HanL.
    Sep 2, 2009
    0
    Broken and Frustrating. Stupid DLC system makes moving tracks hard. Crappy modes and 4 player mode doesn't work properly. Instruments Broken and Frustrating. Stupid DLC system makes moving tracks hard. Crappy modes and 4 player mode doesn't work properly. Instruments also keep breaking.… Expand

See all 18 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

27
#27 Best PS3 Game of 2009
45
#45 Most Discussed PS3 Game of 2009
92
#92 Most Shared PS3 Game of 2009