Guitar Hero II Review

By Graham Swann Published 6 April, 2007

God gave rock and roll to you.

Version tested: Xbox 360

It's an widely accepted fact that the most popular games of all time reach such status through their simplicity. Tetris, Super Mario Bros. and countless others fall into this category, as does much of the rhythm action genre. But it's taken until now, dance mats aside, for a peripheral-based music game to really set people's imaginations and pulses racing. Without being too patronising, Guitar Hero is an extremely simple concept that even a child can pick up within minutes but that even the most fleet-fingered gamer will never truly master.

It's a game that offers an incredibly empowering experience, putting you in the shoes of some of your axe-wielding heroes and provides more of a sense of satisfaction for nailing a tough passage than any other game we can think of. It's a game that is as unending as your desire to improve on your previous performances, work your way up through the difficulties and eventually clear Expert mode with your head held high. We've had Guitar Hero in some shape or form since Christmas 2005 and we've played it pretty much every day since then - that's how good a game it is. More to the point, we were still running around like kids on Christmas morning when we heard we'd be getting code for this slightly updated version of GH2. And with the extras in this new Xbox 360 version, there can be little denying that this is THE quintessential guitar game.

'Guitar Hero II' Screenshot 1

Remember kids - Rock Band is on the way so you've not got long to brush up on your shredding skills. How metal are you?

Of the ten new tracks for the 360 version, you've got a real mixed back on your hands. Possum Kingdom and Rancid's turgid Salvation both crop up in the first set, so they're pitifully simple. Moving down the list, Alice Cooper's Billion Dollar Babies is something of a highlight and Rock And Roll, Hoochie Koo is an unexpected gem, while a middling Pearl Jam track and Hush (the Deep Purple version) just sort of lilt along inconsequentially. Things are a lot better towards the end, with My Chemical Romance's rather splendid Dead! falling just shy of The Trooper, the Guitar Hero debut by obvious choices Iron Maiden. And sure enough, it's one of the best tunes to play in the game and you couldn't ask for it to fit the feel of the game any more perfectly.

But even just levelling up your skills to a degree that would make Slash blush won't be enough to reap all of Guitar Hero II's Achievements. Sick play is appropriately rewarded, sure, with points for perfecting a song, getting a 1,000 note streak and the ultimate challenge that is clearing Buckethead's frankly insane Jordan on Expert. But to really clean up, you'll need the help of a similarly skilled shredder as co-op mode is home to some similarly tricky goals - if one of you messes up, those GamerPoints go out the window, which is sure to start plenty of fights. Due to latency issues that could cripple the game online, the only Live aspects right now are downloadable content (which, we're assured, will be more plentiful than for any other 360 game so far) and of course leaderboards, where your new high score is thrown up against the world's finest and turns out to be a bit rubbish. This is great for pushing yourself that little bit further, with the offline versions of the game only offering up to five stars for good score, it's always good to see how your best runs fare on a global scale. It's gonna be pretty competitive on there, that's for sure, so if you want to see your name in lights, better start practicing now. And if we're good boys and girls, who knows what kind of extra modes could be made available through Live...

'Guitar Hero II' Screenshot 2

Liked the songs in the last game better? Fear not. More Than A Feeling, Cowboys From Hell et al are on the way through XBL.

If you wanted to engage nitpicking mode, there are a few areas which could have been done slightly differently. Leaderboards for one only really allow Expert players (or the odd perfect Hard run) to achieve global fame while those on lower setting will just have to work towards it rather than enjoy some small victory from a leaderboard for each difficulty level. Secondly, half of the new songs are a bit naff so the extra twenty pounds of the asking price is basically covering the potential for expansion via downloadable content. Which, naturally, is huge but if you're one of the few without Live or already have the PS2 version, it's worth taking into consideration. We've also come across a few complaints about the new guitar, some for the awkward shape, others for the slightly smaller scale (shorter, thinner neck and smaller fret buttons) and a couple about the fiddly whammy bar. With a little acclimatisation, though, you'll be rocking out like a pro in no time - there's nothing really to whine about on the axe front. We do miss the cheats from the PS2 version a little too, as Hyper Speed and Performance Mode (which remove all of the HUD including notes) made great challenges for high level players.

Petty gripes aside, this is still the definitive version of the greatest music game on the planet right now and as such is an essential purchase for anyone with even the slightest interest in guitar music. You don't even have to like the songs on offer as the first game proved, successfully making Boston exciting and Franz Ferdinand a little bit less irritating. Here, though, you've got even more songs to choose from, learn and master with the tunes from the first game on the way too through the Live Marketplace. And with the improved mechanics of the second game, the old songs work even better - Bark At The Moon's once nigh-impossible solo is now made a hell of a lot easier while Frankenstein goes from being a chore to an absolute delight. Pricing for downloadable tunes is still unknown but from what we've seen so far (three packs of three songs), it'll be worth throwing a couple hundred of points in Harmonix's direction whenever a new pack goes up. You can never have too much of a good thing and as far as good things go, Guitar Hero II is right up there with cakes and funny looking animals. For those about to rock... we salute you.

9 / 10

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Comments (72) Latest comment 5 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • hoathenfold #1 5 years ago

    Hopefully getting this as a freebie via a mate that works at Gibson guitars!!!
    Want it even more now!!!

  • S.J.Rogers #2 5 years ago

    I just dont know if this would be my kind of game or not...?

    I am 30 years old..!

    Time passes too fast..!

    Looks at pension sheet, sigh..!

  • DUFFKING #3 5 years ago

    I really want this... got sod all money...

    /prays to win competition

  • Yossarian #4 5 years ago

    two 9/10 games for the 360 back to back

  • Azazel #5 5 years ago

    /also prays for competition win... or a job

  • Dizzy #6 5 years ago

    Another 9?

    You guys think I have money to spare????

    /shakes fist!

  • spadge #7 5 years ago

    Very tempted... but I already own the PS2 version(s) and 2 guitars... and am still pissed off that I couldn't use them on the PS3. It'd set me back £100 to upgrade (adding an external guitar). Might be time to ebay those PS2 versions...

  • king_skins #8 5 years ago

    is this worth buying if you already have the PS2 version?

  • octo #9 5 years ago

    I have absolutely no interest in this game whatsoever.

  • Xerx3s #10 5 years ago

    Yeah but if I own the ps2 version, is there any reason to buy this?

  • lurky #11 5 years ago

    The 360 is really on something of a mini roll right now, between this, EDF, Crackdown and GRAW2.

  • The-Bodybuilder #12 5 years ago

    Sounds great. Pity I don't care much for rock, so I have no motivation to play it.

  • AaronTurner #13 5 years ago

    Is it out now?

  • mike_mgoblue #14 5 years ago

    Guitar Hero 2 isn't available for the Playstation 3, and I agree with you, spadge, that it is a real shame that the Playstation 2 versions of Guitar Hero can't even be played on the Playstation 3.

    The Xbox 360 version of Guitar Hero 2 is amazing, becuase it is the only version available that allows you to see the game in high-definition with TRUE 5.1 digital surround sound!!! And that makes the game just AWESOME!!!!!!!!!

    Playing your guitar and having your subwoofer and speakers rock your house is the BEST!!!

    And yes, Guitar Hero 2 is available for the Xbox 360 right now. In fact, Circuit City has a great deal this week where if you buy the game you get a free Microsoft Xbox Live Arcade card worth 1600 Points, which is valued at $19.99.

  • Yossarian #15 5 years ago

    mike_mgoblue = viral marketer

  • davidgillen #16 5 years ago

    For S.J.Rogers, I'm just about 30 and I loved the PS2 version, 1 and 2. If you like rock you'll love Guitar hero.

    I really wish I didn't have to get this version to us the version 2 playing mechanics with the version 1 songs. Tempting, but not just I can justify the purchase.

    Also I've heard the 360 guitars don't play as nicely as the ps2 ones.

  • S.J.Rogers #17 5 years ago

    Thanks people.

    I have been reading the replys while listening to Kiss, Led Zeppelin and Lynyrd Skynyrd Greatest hits.

    I am ready to ROCK.

    I think a quick trip to Game may be in order and i can pick up EDF while im there and chat up the cute blond and the sun is shining..!

    Happy day..!
    Edited by 1 at 06/04/07 @ 12:46

  • Megapocalypse #18 5 years ago

    I really need to get a 360 soon. I want to play The Trooper. Also my PS2 guitar is broken. :(

  • Toothball #19 5 years ago

    I bout it despite having the PS2 version, which I bought knowing I'd be buying the Xbox version. Anyone know where they're selling solo guitars, aside from America?

  • S.J.Rogers #20 5 years ago

    You must get a 360 i dumped my GF of 5 years to spend more time with the 360.

    "Strokes the 360"

    Its a fantastic type of love..!
    Edited by 2 at 06/04/07 @ 12:55

  • spongebob #21 5 years ago

    X360 is really starting to rival PS2 with the breadth and quality of it's game catalogue. Only thing missing is more quirky Japanese style ames RPGs. Nail those and it's pretty much the best console out there.

  • urban #22 5 years ago

    good so when is it coming to the ps3?

  • lurky #23 5 years ago

    @ spongebob

    You said it! And I think the likes of Blue Dragon, Eternal Sonata and Cry On will cure that particular itch, in time.

  • LeD #24 5 years ago

    urban: no word on a PS3 version. I don't think they'll do one.

  • HairyArse #25 5 years ago

    Ahem, check out the title of my very own Guitar Hero 1 review submitted god knows how long ago....

  • Corben_Dallas #26 5 years ago

    This fucking ROOCCCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!
    ]:)

    nuff said

  • bonker #27 5 years ago

    Woolies tactic of not sending this to me until yesterday to get to me on their promised date of today was clearly a masterstroke - fucking twats! :(


    @Sponge; yeah it's getting there, 2 or 3 cool looking Jap-style RPGs to come soon, hopefully they'll cut the mustard.

    Obviously there are more great games on the PS2 but it has to be said that the average quality of 360 games so far has been pretty spectacular. Lots of turkeys of course but nowhere near as many as you'd normally see on a console 18 months into its lifetime ... 360 has a LOT of 7-8+/10 games!

  • GitSomE_UK #28 5 years ago

    I'm not really a rock music fan but dammit I loved GH1 and I look forward to getting this. BTW SJ I'm 37 and it doesn't stop me :-) Have some fun man!

  • Rush2112 #29 5 years ago

    Is the Rush track 'YYZ' in this version?

  • brooza #30 5 years ago

    It's the 1968 version of Hush rather than the 1988 version (which is why it's not that good)

  • witchdrash #31 5 years ago

    Bought it love it, have to stop because my left hand hurts too much after playing solidly for 3 hours.. damn my weak body...

    My break might be a little longer than expected as my guitar no longer works... :/
    Edited by 2 at 06/04/07 @ 17:08

  • Yodzilla #32 5 years ago

    This game is good, there's no question about that, but the new guitar is AWFUL. The wacky shape and overall smaller neck and buttons makes it a real pain to play, especially if you're used to the PS2 Guitar Hero games.

  • ProtoformX #33 5 years ago

    I traded in my PS2 versions today for the 360 version and I'm dead happy with my choice. The first time I saw one of the venues in HD my jaw hit the floor. Still as fun as ever but yes, the 360 guitar does take some getting used to if you're used to the PS2 ones. Now I'd just like some DLC for it - I still have the "Emergance Day" Marcus Fenix icon on my Gamercard so I'd like a GH one to replace it.

  • LeeroyJenkins #34 5 years ago

    Someone said the 360 guitar itself has a speaker in it, to get some cool effects from it when playing... Is this true?

    Cos if so, then my guitar is teh broken.

  • decibel #35 5 years ago

    eerr LeeroyJenkins, someone has been telling you utter nonsense.

    anyway, man! jesus!

    The 360 version ROCKS! The smaller buttons make SLIDING SO MUCH EASIER! I CAN FINALLY DO THE SOLOS I couldn't do on the PS2 version.

    Time to hang out with my wang out and rock out with my

  • asphaltcowboy #36 5 years ago

    Put off buying the PS2 versions to wait for this! Frankly, even if I did have the PS2 version, I'd probably trade them for this, since the prospect for DLC is simply too great! Loving it - been trying to get my family hooked - and it's working :D

    Achievements are great, varied and nicely paced.

    I think the guitar is fine... the shape doesn't bother me at all and the whammy... while a little getting used to, on the whole works perfectly fine.

    Can't wait for online play! I'm not sure if I'll find any colleagues to play with in person (working at Sony, they all have the PS2 version!) So online co-op it'll have to be, assuming they sort it out (although it won't be quite the same as being in the same room!)

  • zErOb_cOOl #37 5 years ago

    I play actual guitar and enjoy it. As do other people, duh. How is this game rewarding to guitar players?
    Edited by 1 at 06/04/07 @ 21:23

  • Additive #38 5 years ago

    Is the guitar wireless?

  • chischis #39 5 years ago

    The game is - again - awesome. Unfortunately, the tracklist (mostly) sucks.

    YYZ is excellent, though.
    Edited by 1 at 06/04/07 @ 23:08

  • Natas #40 5 years ago

    Apparently the 360 guitar also works in xp or vista. No one mentioned that yet (I think...); thought I would. You can use it with frets on fire; a free alternative to GH.
    Edited by 1 at 07/04/07 @ 03:17

  • DrunKao #41 5 years ago

    Has anyone seen the TV spot for Guitar Hero II? It's the best video game commercial I've ever seen. It's on Live Marketplace right now!

    http://www .youtube.com/watch?v=erVt0ozPRN0
    Edited by 1 at 07/04/07 @ 06:36

  • Scrumhalf #42 5 years ago

    Yet again Amazon have let me down on delivery - they simply sent it too late to arrive until next week. In fact it was a day after their estimated shipping date, although it sat on 'Dispatching soon' for over 24 hours so I couldn't cancel it.
    To add insult to injury they have an estimated delivery of today (Saturday) and clearly state on the same page that Parcelshite don't deliver on Saturdays! I suppose if they put the real delivery estimate it would make them look crap! So I now have to wait in for a whole day or travel further to collect the parcel than driving to Amazon's own warehouse.

    I never use Amazon as they are shit - but I had some vouchers and thought what the hell. Never again!!

  • bonker #43 5 years ago

    Sorry mate, I hate it when companies blatantly ignore holidays that they know can't be delivered on.

    I'm fortunate that although Woolies BS'd me about delivering yesterday, they at least use Royal Mail who delivered it this morning instead! \O/

  • asphaltcowboy #44 5 years ago

    DrunKao: Nice work! I've been watching that ad all week - I LOVE it! "Woman" is one of my favourite songs on GH2 as a result! I only wish that it actually looked like that in-game - it'd be awesome if you had to stop the meteor crashing into Earth with your awesome axe skillz!

  • Santino #45 5 years ago

    i actually forgot this was coming out, then that advert came on, forcing me to rush out and get my rock on.

  • AwesomeWells #46 5 years ago

    I LOVE this game. My only disappointment is that I've waited this long to play it. In hindsight I should have picked up a cheap PS2 just for this.

    So far, my personal highlights are Woman, Carry on Wayward Son and the glam-tacular Cherry Pie.
    Edited by 1 at 07/04/07 @ 11:48

  • warlockuk #47 5 years ago

    I should have it over the next few days, and I'm looking forward to playing it now - though I'm almost dreading it as it'll be so different to how the songs are actually played (like The Trooper). \m/

  • warlockuk #48 5 years ago

    Oh, and brooza - "It's the 1968 version of Hush rather than the 1988 version (which is why it's not that good)"

    You're going to Hell for that. HELL.

  • gieltjegitaar #49 5 years ago

    The 360 guitar is way better than the PS2 one. Also more songs through Xbox Live + high-def graphics and surround sound. Apart from that, pretty much nothing has changed, except the songs have been reorganised, some Achievements and the singer in the band seems to wear sunglasses now.

  • the_sas_man #50 5 years ago

    I just sent the gf into Game to get this for me and its SOLD OUT! Argh!

    Stupid bitch...

  • LeeroyJenkins #51 5 years ago

    It's £59.99 at Blockbuster.

  • Nasty #52 5 years ago

    OMG

    Less than half the price and knows more than 10 tunes.

  • decibel #53 5 years ago

    That's HILARIOUS. A real guitar! Wow!

    Anyway, what a brilliant game it is. I'm really enjoying seeing my 'band' rock out in HD - absolutely brilliant character models for this upgraded version. I'm also enjoying the mighty tunes belting out from a proper sound system and not my old shitty 1980's sony TV speakers.

    The atmosphere is unmatched - the 'live' feeling is beyond divine when you get into the zone. :)

  • Sl1pstream #54 5 years ago

    Pulled an all-nighter with a few friends on this one last night and although I already have the PS2 version, I'll still get the 360 version. I would've bought it, but it was sold out everywhere. Downloadable content alone makes it an instant purchase.

  • Stormflood #55 5 years ago

    http://ww w.joystiq.com/2007/04/07/red-oc...

  • NewbieZilla #56 5 years ago

    "Things are a lot better towards the end, with My Chemical Romance's rather splendid Dead!"

    Musical credibility depleted.

  • CorporalSpank #57 5 years ago

    Wow - I had never played GH before but I bought it today, me and the bird have been playing for 5 hours! I even let her put eye-liner on me and we got dressed up - sad but immensely good fun.

    What a game. Only just realised that the controller has a motion sensor in it too - if you tilt it vertically with the end of the fret board up in the air it engages your "star power"! This just gets better and better! Highlight? Seeing her dancing about singing and shaking her ass to Monkey Wrench. Phenomenal.

  • manuel_garcia #58 5 years ago

    Bought it today. Top game, big fan of GH and GHII already, but the whammy bar on mine is completely screwed even after the various fixes attempted. Mate of mine has the same issue as well. Arg!

    Thing is, its only a small difference so anyone not versed in the PS2 games will doubtless not know the difference anyway, but for everyone else its there and incredibly annoying.

    Stay away from batch 95055.

  • `Plant #59 5 years ago

    I want this. NOW.


    \m/

  • decibel #60 5 years ago

    The 'broken' guitar problem (haven't experienced it myself) - turns out it's a software problem, not a hardware fault. They're working on an update via Live, apparently ...

  • NegativeZero #61 5 years ago

    I really love this game. My only gripe with it really is that it suffers a little from right-band-wrong-song syndrome. There a lot of bands with songs in the game who absolutely belong there, but I'm not sure whether they have necessarily chosen the best songs from those bands. Well, I do have one other small complaint - the little nub on the middle fret button. I know why it's there, but it's absolutely fucked the pad of my middle finger after a couple of long play sessions, to the point that I had to give the game a rest for a couple of days or risk being unable to type at work. :(

  • grimly_reaped #62 5 years ago

    Got it on Saturday, I wanted to finish expert before going away on Monday morning ... but got stuck on Freebird (again ... I managed it on the PS2, but it's harsh!)

    Love the game though - it's genius on both platforms!

  • sanctusmortis #63 5 years ago

    Dead! by MCR may seem a pants song, but PLAYING it shows the level of expertise in their guitarist. The game really makes you appreciate how great these guitarists really are.

    The whammy bar thing: it's a slight issue in angle. Fixed mine already. They're not lying when they say "turn ever so slightly clockwise", as it seems it's a machining fault (the machine that screws them together causes it to wobble before tightening, so it's ever so slightly misaligned).

    Never played GH before, and DAMN it's hard! Still, I'm up to the last section on Medium already, which ain't bad for a noob.

  • asphaltcowboy #64 5 years ago

    decibel - you got a source for that? I'm tempted to open up the guitar and do the fix - but I must admit, it looks ok when I plug it into the PC - seems to respond ok...

    And I happen to like Dead! I think it's a great song!

  • optimusprym8 #65 5 years ago

    my damn trem bar's buggered :( and not from me thrashing it...

  • Der_tolle_Emil #66 5 years ago

    NegativeZero: Use a bandaid while playing. Gives you a somewhat edgy look too.

    I am really looking forward to this. Amazon says it's preparing to ship my order since friday so I cannot cancel it. If I could I would run into the stores and buy it. But what the heck it's fun being excited for a game once in a while.

  • Royal Fool #67 5 years ago

    I did try GH2 on the PS2 and I didn't like it. I guess this just isn't for me, despite everyone going raving mad over it.

  • mingster #68 5 years ago

    Amplitude and Frequency were better music games imho..
    ok no novelty guitar but the gameplay was better.

  • lennon #69 5 years ago

    Apart from 90% of the songs being shite this game is ace.

    When are they going to release a pack with some decent music in? ;)

  • gazareth #70 5 years ago

    Can you buy extra controllers on their own yet?

  • miiiguel #71 5 years ago

    Either I suck at it or "Hard" is freakin "Too God Damn Hard!"...

  • Pachinko #72 5 years ago

    Europe having the same problems?

    http://ww w.destructoid.com/red-octane-fi...