'Guitar Hero III: Legends Of Rock'

3 out of 4 Stars

Get your game on with the all-new addition to the "Guitar Hero" franchise. "Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock" hit stores a few weeks ago and proves to be just as much a hit as its predecessors.

I got the $89.99 "Guitar Hero III Single Player Bundle" for PlayStation2, complete with the game and new Kramer Striker Wireless Guitar.

"Legends of Rock" has raised the bar with new additions to game-play and style. In addition to many more songs in comparison to the previous games, this third installment also has new options in the way you play. Some new features include Co-Op Career Mode, in which you can team up with a friend to beat levels, unlock new songs and get cash.

Another great feature is Battle Mode. In this aspect, players face off in their choice of song while attacking each other with power-ups. Some examples of these attacks include Broken String (in which the victim must rapidly tap a fret button before it will work again) and Lefty Flip (in which the victim must read the notes backward). This mode is very fun and is also incorporated into Single Player Career Mode.

Throughout the game, you come face-to-face with true legends of rock, hence the title of the game. First off is Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine fame. Second is Slash from Guns 'N' Roses. The final showdown is a face-off with the Devil in an original version of "Devil Went Down to Georgia."

The game as a whole is leaps beyond what the previous games had to offer. However, "Legends of Rock" had me crying foul in certain parts of the game.

The main problem I have with this game is that they made certain songs so challenging, it's ridiculous. The other games contained songs that were very hard, but still were fun to play. The third installment makes some songs so fast and furious that the player ends up getting angry, rather than having fun.

"GH3," for instance, contains a bonus song titled "Through the Fire and Flames." This song contains 3,722 notes and an average of 8.4 notes per second on Expert. That is just downright outrageous. I compliment anyone who takes the time to make it through this seven-minute hand-crimper, but most people will just choose to look the other way.

With new tracks and fun game-play, "Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock" has all the right qualities for a hit game. However, be prepared for agonizing cramps and frustration if you plan to beat the game on Expert.