Guitar Hero 5

 Xbox 360
Guitar Hero 5 Image
Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 69 Critics What's this?

User Score
6.9

Mixed or average reviews- based on 112 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: 63 out of 69
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 69
  3. Negative: 0 out of 69
  1. 1UP
    100
    This is the game that can actually bring both hardcore and casual rockers together for a good time. 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.
  2. Eurogamer
    90
    There's just nothing wrong with Guitar Hero 5: no horrible new art direction or gimmicky new features (3's guitar battles still haven't quite been forgiven), no backwards moves, no ill-advised changes to a winning formula.
  3. 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.
  4. TeamXbox
    87
    There’s no question that Activision and Neversoft aren’t content to sit back and just release new songs—or release new major titles in the GH franchise that have trivial or negligible feature offerings.
  5. SpazioGames
    85
    Guitar Hero 5 is definitely the highest point of the series, since it passed into the hands of Neversoft. Activision's game has some very interesting ideas like Play Party, Avatars in game and a lot of game modes to have fun with your friends. Some imperfections in the packaging still restrict the final judging, but all those who loved World Tour can buy this chapter without remorse.
  6. Giant Bomb
    80
    There's something about the return to a standard numbering scheme for Guitar Hero 5 that suggests to me that this is, more than anything else, a commodity, a manufactured product, albeit a very attractive and energetic one. Neversoft seems more comfortable and confident than ever with this series it has inherited, but there doesn't seem to be a lot of passion behind the craft.
  7. Game Revolution
    67
    If I were Bob Dylan, I might ask, “How many versions of this game must we suffer, before we get something really new? “.

See all 69 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 23
  3. Negative: 8 out of 23
  1. 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 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.… Expand
  2. 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, 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
  4. 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 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
  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 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
  6. 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 calledbefore 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
  7. 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 muchI 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.… Expand
  8. 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 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.… Expand

See all 23 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

21
#21 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2009
38
#38 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2009