Guitar Hero 5

 Xbox 360
User Score
6.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 114 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 65 out of 114
  2. Mixed: 24 out of 114
  3. Negative: 25 out of 114
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  1. NathanJ.
    Sep 1, 2009
    1
    Didn't I buy this game already this year? I am a drummer and a singer in these games so I'm always disappointed with Guitar Hero. This addition unabashedly ignores the singers and drummers, The vocal system is still as bas as it was in GHWT and the drums feel even worse. This version also has the worst setlist in music game history. Do not buy.
  2. AhskM.
    Sep 1, 2009
    1
    Sadly, yet another poor emulation of Harmonix greatness. As if sucking the life out of a franchise by any means necessary wasn't bad enough - Activision, more specifically Neversoft further tarnishes the genre with their newest addition to the 'Hero' universe. Instead of producing a quality game experience they simply attempt to win consumers over with mass misleading Sadly, yet another poor emulation of Harmonix greatness. As if sucking the life out of a franchise by any means necessary wasn't bad enough - Activision, more specifically Neversoft further tarnishes the genre with their newest addition to the 'Hero' universe. Instead of producing a quality game experience they simply attempt to win consumers over with mass misleading marketing and 'star power' (by including the likenesses of unfortunately willing musicians). Rent it if you dare. It's nothing new - same old chuck-e-cheese band style robo-animation - with each iteration Neversoft comes closer to achieving the beautiful and unique stylization of the Rock Band series - however, that finish line will never be reached.… Expand
  3. AndrewS.
    Sep 6, 2009
    2
    It must be terribly soul-crushing to the developers of this series to be handed a highlight reel from your competition and told "forget your own ideas, copy this, and make sure it ships holiday 09." Anything this game has, Rock Band 2 already does and does better. In this game there is no originality. No creativity. It is just another cash-in money grab sequal with a bad setlist. It is It must be terribly soul-crushing to the developers of this series to be handed a highlight reel from your competition and told "forget your own ideas, copy this, and make sure it ships holiday 09." Anything this game has, Rock Band 2 already does and does better. In this game there is no originality. No creativity. It is just another cash-in money grab sequal with a bad setlist. It is embarrassing to see how the mighty have fallen. And Guitar Hero has certainly fallen. I give it a two rating just because in the 80+ refuse of the setlist there are a few gems.… Expand
  4. Robert
    Sep 13, 2009
    0
    This is by far the WORST music game I have ever played. The new features are nothing but mere gimmicks to add bullet points to the back of the box and the song list is beyond pathetic. Also, having Kurt Cobain and Johnny Cash sing Bon Jovi songs is beyond insulting. Activision should be ashamed of releasing such a despicable product. Buy The Beatles: Rock Band to see how artists shouldThis is by far the WORST music game I have ever played. The new features are nothing but mere gimmicks to add bullet points to the back of the box and the song list is beyond pathetic. Also, having Kurt Cobain and Johnny Cash sing Bon Jovi songs is beyond insulting. Activision should be ashamed of releasing such a despicable product. Buy The Beatles: Rock Band to see how artists should be treated by videogame makers.… Expand
  5. SethB
    Nov 9, 2009
    3
    I was certainly disappointed when I paid 60 whole dollars for a game that hasn't improved in any way from World Tour. The new "features", if you can even call it that, are incredibly underwhelming, with each one having already been done well by Rock Band. The music setlist in this game is terrible, in my opinion. There are a few good songs, however, but even these become tedious when I was certainly disappointed when I paid 60 whole dollars for a game that hasn't improved in any way from World Tour. The new "features", if you can even call it that, are incredibly underwhelming, with each one having already been done well by Rock Band. The music setlist in this game is terrible, in my opinion. There are a few good songs, however, but even these become tedious when you realize that everyone else that played the game thought the same way about the music. The rest of the songs are uninteresting to play, and most players being younger, don't recognize them. (And seriously, Du Hast? Surely you can be more creative than THAT.) Overall, very disappointing game, I'd advise renting this game instead of buying it. But then again, I'd advise you to not even play it.… Expand
  6. [Anonymous]
    Sep 1, 2009
    3
    The set-list is pure garbage. I wish I was speaking out of opinion, but to be honest I will give any type of music a listen...ANY TYPE, and these songs fail to impress. Yes, there have been many new features added as said in previous media reviews but the key to any (and I mean ANY) music game is obviously the songs, and this game misses the mark completely. Neversoft ignores veterans of The set-list is pure garbage. I wish I was speaking out of opinion, but to be honest I will give any type of music a listen...ANY TYPE, and these songs fail to impress. Yes, there have been many new features added as said in previous media reviews but the key to any (and I mean ANY) music game is obviously the songs, and this game misses the mark completely. Neversoft ignores veterans of the series by putting on terrible music that is actually poorly charted. Sorry I must have completely forgotten the time in Du Hast where the guitarist (Richard Z. Kruspe) plays the keyboard part of the song. Yes it does give the player a little break from the monotonous flow of the song, but to be honest, if a song is monotonous to begin with, why put it in a video game where you have to play it? Neversoft just seemed to play to the masses (read: Demographic) and put really crappy songs that had the highest probability of people recognizing them. Sorry but this Guitar Hero is the worst in series. Yes even worse than you World Tour.… 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 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.
  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 into gh4. You are paying for presentation and a few new feature sets.

Awards & Rankings

21
#21 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2009
40
#40 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2009

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 69 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 63 out of 69
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 69
  3. Negative: 0 out of 69
  1. GamingTrend
    90
    While some of the features come off half baked as they aren't applied globally, most of the improvements add up to something greater than their individual parts. The animation, lip synch, graphic improvements, vocal modes, new multiplayer modes, and the addition of Party Play add up to a product that is more than the shiny track pack that some folks might expect.
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  2. 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.
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  3. GamePro
    90
    An incredibly solid title with plenty to see, do and most importantly, rock out to. Brandishing some stellar new Competitive play concepts (Do or Die, Momentum) not to mention some incredibly creative new stages to play on, Guitar Hero 5 stays true to its franchise roots and rocks just about as hard as anyone could expect it to. With its astounding variety and tried-and-true formula, it's truly hard to find fault with Guitar Hero 5 without resorting to nitpicking.
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