Gaming: Guitar Hero Metallica

Published on Thursday 4 June 2009 13:36

Guitar Hero Metallica (PS3/Xbox 360/Wii, £39.99)

BUILDING on the template laid down by Neversoft's first band-orientated title, Guitar Hero Aerosmith, this latest instalment of the best-selling rhythm action series proves to be one of the best entries yet. Selling over 100 million records since their career started, Metallica are the perfect candidates for the Guitar Hero treatment with perhaps the greatest discography metal has to offer.

Letting players thrash out such iconic tracks as Sad But True, Fuel and the epic Master of Puppets, the song list spans many decades and the many faces of Metallica, so there is something for everyone here. Guest acts include Mastodon, Foo Fighters and System of a Down, diversifying the soundtrack further.

While gameplay remains unchanged, tasking players with matching up descending coloured notes in time with the track, the note placement is the most accurate in the series, with some riffs feeling just like their tabbed counterparts. The addition of "Expert+" mode on drums adds in double kick, which is absolutely brutal when playing a song such as Battery. Real skill is needed to succeed at this mode.

Visually, this is again the best in the series, with James Hetfield and the rest of the band motion-captured to perfection, allowing for some truly organic-looking stage performances. Neversoft have done wonders to make this aesthetically the most aggressive entry to the series so far, testament to the brutality of Metallica's back catalogue. This is an accomplished title and a fitting homage to the most iconic metal act in history.