Preview: Guitar Hero III

Now with Kiss, Metallica and ZZ Top, but still no AC/DC!

We were expecting big things when Activision recently showed up to demonstrate an early build of Guitar Hero III for us. We played the Xbox 360 version, but it will be available on all consoles (Wii, 360, and PS2 and 3), with wireless axes for each. That makes Red Octane the first developer ever to be given access to the 360’s wireless controller protocol. The Wii guitar has a Wiimote mounted in it, but we don’t know how the accelerometers will be used (or if they will be used at all) yet.

From what we played, the emphasis has shifted more towards outright fun. Previous games were pseudo simulations which would have you playing retrofitted sheet music that transposes your fingers to fit the controller’s five buttons instead of a guitar’s six strings and fret board. Guitar Hero 3 keeps this classic gameplay but adds Mario Kart-style game modifiers to the mix.

Replace star power with modifiers that make your opponent’s life difficult and you’ll get a good idea of what GHIII has in store for you. Powers include temporarily making your opponent play in lefty flip mode; overloading their amp which will flash their notes and shake their display around; broken strings that disable frets until you hit the corresponding button enough; and double notes which can and will destroy you if you’re playing on expert mode.

You’ll also have these thrown at you in single player mode whenever you hit the boss: Slash of The Gunners, who is also an unlockable character. Visually, GH3 is leaps and bounds ahead of the previous versions. We didn’t get to try the online play, but it’s going to be there in the final version.



Most of the tracks are originals, and they not only sound great but get both you and the crowd in your living room more involved in the songs. Although we didn’t get to play it, Metallica’s One is confirmed as an original master track. I swore up and down for months that this would never happen because of the ridiculous licensing fees Metallica are notorious for demanding since they were freed from their record label. I now owe Jungalist money. Dragonforce’s “Through Fire and Flames” wasn’t in the build we played but will be in the final release; and it’s a safe bet that it’ll put you on the fast track to RSI...



Although many assume that Rock Band may steal the limelight from the series (if people can afford the controllers) Guitar Hero still has legions of deserved fans that from the looks of things won’t be disappointed by the next instalment.



The following isn't a complete track list, but has been officially confirmed:

Slash’s Original Boss Battle Recording
Welcome to The Jungle (by Guns N’ Roses)
Paint It Black (by The Rolling Stones)
One (by Metallica)
Cherub Rock (by Smashing Pumpkins)
Sabotage (by Beastie Boys)
The Metal (by Tenacious D)
My Name is Jonas (by Weezer)
Knights of Cydonia (by Muse)
Even Flow (by Pearl Jam)
Lay Down (by Priestess)
Cult of Personality (by Living Colour)
Rock and Roll All Nite (as made famous by Kiss)
School’s Out (as made famous by Alice Cooper)
Rock You Like a Hurricane (as made famous by Scorpions)
Slow Ride (as made famous by Foghat)
Barracuda (as made famous by Heart)
Miss Murder (by AFI)
Through Fire and Flames (by Dragonforce)
Number of the Beast (by Iron Maiden)
3's and 7's (by Queens of the Stone Age)
Suck My Kiss (by Red Hot Chili Peppers)
Raining Blood (by Slayer)
Reptillia (by The Strokes)
Paranoid (as made famous by Black Sabbath)
Cities on Flame (as made famous by Blue Oyster Cult)
Mississippi Queen (as made famous by Mountain)
La Grange (as made famous by ZZ Top)
Minus Celsius (by Backyard Babies)
Hier Kommt Alex (by Die Toten Hosen)
In the Belly of a Shark (by Gallows)
I’m in the Band (by The Hellacopters)
Avalancha (by Heroes Del Silencio)
Take This Life (by In Flames)
Ruby (by Kaiser Chiefs)
Closer (by Lacuna Coil)
Generation Rock (by Revolverheld)
Mauvais Garcon (by NAAST)
Radio Song (by Superbus)

Stay tuned for the full review.