Guitar Hero II

 Xbox 360
User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 254 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 199 out of 254
  2. Mixed: 28 out of 254
  3. Negative: 27 out of 254
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  1. M1sfiT
    Sep 3, 2023
    8
    Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaameeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees!!!!!!!!! guitar hero 2
  2. B00tador
    Dec 3, 2021
    9
    Such a fun time, had a fantastic song list and was suitable for all skill levels. Shame it all went sour
  3. Caslu99
    Jun 19, 2021
    10
    dude, this is a really masterpiece for me, the best version ever for me its also better than gh3 but i love gh3 so much too 10/10 C L A S S I C S XBOX 360
  4. MrTaylor99
    Aug 21, 2019
    9
    Even to this day, this an amazing GH game that still is easily accessible! Be warned, though, it's a pretty tough game!
  5. Luigithemetal64
    Sep 20, 2013
    10
    Slightly better than the PS2 version; better detail although you mostly see white bursts and designs of the guitars and basses still have polygon parts rather than being straight. All or most of the songs covered by WaveGroup are great, Surrender, Carry On, You Really Got Me, Hush, Last Child, Freebird and others. If we don't have the "red ring of death" Xbox 360s, we will enjoy it more.
  6. Aston
    May 3, 2013
    10
    Absolutely loved every moment, that's not true actually, half the time I was livid but I always came back to the little plastic guitar. This got me hooked and I now play guitar too.
  7. bonnin40
    Feb 18, 2013
    9
    Including the abilty to play rythm and bass, to add replayabilty, and fixing the hammer on and pull off issues from the first game, make this in my opinion the definitive guitar hero game. Later games in the series have perfected and expanded on the formula, but this game is still my personall favorite, ill always remember tackling hangar 18 and free bird, and having so much challenge,Including the abilty to play rythm and bass, to add replayabilty, and fixing the hammer on and pull off issues from the first game, make this in my opinion the definitive guitar hero game. Later games in the series have perfected and expanded on the formula, but this game is still my personall favorite, ill always remember tackling hangar 18 and free bird, and having so much challenge, but so much pay off. This game also had alot of influence on my guitar playing, as i can now play hangar 18 and freebird fully on a real guitar (most of megadeths catolouge i can play, but pointless bragging rights aside)i foudn this game had the best set list, and the most simple, yet fun gamplay that made the world love guitar hero in the first place. Highly reccomended for any metal/rock fan, and anyone looking to start playing the series, or just have some fun. This is definitely the game to start with if your getting into guitar hero.… Expand
  8. Kenmei
    Mar 30, 2012
    9
    This was the game that got me really into the Music game scene and was definitely the best version of the series before GH 3 started to try to appeal to all music genres instead of just the rock genre it was known for. I played this game for hours upon hours and neither Rock Band nor the subsequent GH games could compare to this one for me. If this game had the online support the laterThis was the game that got me really into the Music game scene and was definitely the best version of the series before GH 3 started to try to appeal to all music genres instead of just the rock genre it was known for. I played this game for hours upon hours and neither Rock Band nor the subsequent GH games could compare to this one for me. If this game had the online support the later versions had, it probably would have been alot better. However, the lack of focus on one genre really hurt the later versions of the game, as well as the lack of creativity towards the end. But, if your a rock fan and just felt like the later versions of this game and Rock Band failed to deliver enough of the songs you really liked, then pick this game up. There are some excellent songs in this version and you don't have to wade through some of the crap from the later versions.… Expand
  9. ScottDavies
    May 28, 2008
    9
    Fantastic for all rhythm based gamers out there for all ages. This game will have you addicted for hours on end trying to get those hard to get achievements such as the 5 star all expert songs in the career.

    although after a long time, it can get repetitive and with the lack of online multiplayer, i had to mark it down from a perfect 10
  10. AdamM.
    Jan 28, 2008
    9
    Good list of songs, medium level achievements, fun overall gameplay, and nice online leaderboards.
  11. JesseB.
    Jan 19, 2008
    10
    Absolutely amazing, I never played the playstation version of the game, but the Xbox360 had me hooked like a fish. At first I was on easy thinking this games impossible. But hours and hours and more strait hours of gameplay and I'm tearing through easy, then medium and hard. This is absolutely the most addicting game I've ever played.
  12. BryanM.
    Nov 26, 2007
    9
    Is way better then the 1st. it has better graphics then the ps2 version. it also has more songs then the old gen. if you have a 360 get it.
  13. LarsB.
    Nov 7, 2007
    9
    A lot of cover songs and in fact not the best songlist. however, it is great to be a guitar hero.
  14. L.D.
    Oct 15, 2007
    9
    Great if you got friends around to watch & play and the multiplayer is awesome. But i would've liked to see more classics in the game.
  15. K.S.
    Oct 8, 2007
    9
    As a formerly touring bassist, I didn't think this game would be that fun - I figured I'd rather play a real guitar. But I finally picked up the controller, and I couldn't put it down. This game is a blast! And I'll be sure to pick up GH3 soon after it comes out.
  16. DavidM.
    Sep 11, 2007
    10
    Chris R - you are a fool. I am both a real guitarist (been playing over 10 years, particularly metal) and also a big fan of this game. For sheer fun it is hard to beat, and best of replicates the feel of a real guitar whilst making it fun for everyone, not just 'real' guitarists. Just 'cause you dont get it, dont drag everyone else down to your level.
  17. ChrisR.
    Aug 12, 2007
    0
    I dunno, why the hell people like this game, for my taste, this game is as metal as DDR, this game has no metal cred whatso ever. No self Respecting metal head would really want to waste their time with a game as commercial and just plain lame, if you really like Rock, just go out to a local music store and buy yourself a real guitar and butcher the music that way, instead of just I dunno, why the hell people like this game, for my taste, this game is as metal as DDR, this game has no metal cred whatso ever. No self Respecting metal head would really want to waste their time with a game as commercial and just plain lame, if you really like Rock, just go out to a local music store and buy yourself a real guitar and butcher the music that way, instead of just embarassing yourselves with a plastic one.… Expand
  18. MattK.
    Jul 20, 2007
    10
    Extremely addictive by yourself or with friends, do not be put off by the people below who say the game is too hard. On expert the last couple songs are extremely challenging, but are not impossible as some here are saying.
  19. JoelC.
    Jun 12, 2007
    10
    Wow. I was reluctant to purchasing this game because I thought it wouldn't live up to the hype. Im a keyboard player myself, and although I like the sound of guitar, Im not much for one to play. However, this game has absolutely blown me away! The feeling I got playing "Freebird" for what seemed like forever as one long guitar solo, tryingi to stay alive, at Stonehenge was a gaming Wow. I was reluctant to purchasing this game because I thought it wouldn't live up to the hype. Im a keyboard player myself, and although I like the sound of guitar, Im not much for one to play. However, this game has absolutely blown me away! The feeling I got playing "Freebird" for what seemed like forever as one long guitar solo, tryingi to stay alive, at Stonehenge was a gaming moment for me that I wont forget. It was one of 'those' moments. I felt like I was on a mission, and sweating prefusely trying to hit all the notes in the solo after solo's, just awesome. THE HYPE DOESN"T LIVE UP TO GUITAR HERO!… Expand
  20. JonnyL.
    Jun 3, 2007
    8
    This is a good difficult game and its fun to feel like your actually playing the guitar (even tho theres barley any similarities it still feels like it for some reason). i especially like using the whammy bar.
  21. CamB.
    May 31, 2007
    10
    Quite possible the best rhythm game ever made on the Xbox 360. Bought this game a few months ago and im playing it at least once every day since then. Great fun for all ages/gamers.
  22. EricC.
    May 29, 2007
    10
    Somewhat fun on your own, but embarrassingly hilarious with a group of drunken friends. Your 360 is better for having a guitar attachment...
  23. Dave
    May 25, 2007
    10
    This game is too hard. I've been stuck on Psychobilly Freakout on Expert for weeks. :-(
  24. Daniel
    May 12, 2007
    9
    Expensive, but worth every penny. Innovative, addictive, and just fun to watch. My dad even plays this game, and he doesn't play videogames.
  25. Eldon
    May 9, 2007
    10
    I just couldn't resist saying something here about this game... I don't own a XBOX360, but I played this game for the first time last night at a friends place. I was immediately "addicted". I was really blown away at the fun factor. I loved the music, and I was afraid I wouldn't like the "faux-recordings". Let's ROCK!!!
  26. henrikl.
    May 7, 2007
    10
    one of the most addictive game i ever played. so fun to learn och at the same tame hard to master. this is a must buy if u like rock n roll.
  27. ScottS
    May 3, 2007
    10
    I just can't express how much I love this game ay. I spend most of my spare time fiddling with my guitar and recording myself on my laptop, so when this game came I grabbed it straight away. This game is far more enjoyable than all of the NBA games my friends like put together. I just love dancing round the room pretending i'm a rockstar for my wife and dog...Fantastic.
  28. Mr.Review
    Apr 21, 2007
    10
    There are those who have made up their mind over a year ago, and have not regretted their purchase of Guitar Hero. There are those on the fence, on whether $90 is reasonable enough for the quality and everlasting game experience they will receive. I have never witnessed more universal love for a single game than with Guitar Hero II, and with that said, it is damn near a must buy. I cannot There are those who have made up their mind over a year ago, and have not regretted their purchase of Guitar Hero. There are those on the fence, on whether $90 is reasonable enough for the quality and everlasting game experience they will receive. I have never witnessed more universal love for a single game than with Guitar Hero II, and with that said, it is damn near a must buy. I cannot express successfully and with any sort of validity in words how incredibly enthralling and exciting and new Guitar Hero is. I must say to those who own or will inevitably buy Guitar Hero for Xbox 360, do NOT expect much out of the downloadable content. I think it will underwhelm us. With that said, Guitar Hero is an amazing experience only witnessed by those willing and able-minded enough to counter the outstanding track list, brilliant execution of gameplay, and absolutely endearing journey Guitar Hero places one through. With 3 new iterations coming out in the next year and a half, GUitar Hero could quite possibly be the next great franchise and one to adore for as long as fun exists.… Expand
  29. AndyO'Brien
    Apr 18, 2007
    7
    This version of Guitar Hero is good, as good as the PS2 version. Some things better, somethings, not so much. Better: Guitar - Feels more solid, fret buttons a little higher, easier to pick up, and the strap is finally long enough for my tall frame so the guitar hangs below my belt, thank you for the last one. Game - HD! My HDTV has a slight lag (all of em do), and while the calibration This version of Guitar Hero is good, as good as the PS2 version. Some things better, somethings, not so much. Better: Guitar - Feels more solid, fret buttons a little higher, easier to pick up, and the strap is finally long enough for my tall frame so the guitar hangs below my belt, thank you for the last one. Game - HD! My HDTV has a slight lag (all of em do), and while the calibration feature is nice to have in the PS2 versions, it'd be even nicer if you could just manually set the lag delay. Nothing changed in the 360 version, but since the game runs in nice 720p, the lag isn't nearly as bad at default settings. Songs - New tracks, nothing to write home about, and hey you can play some GH1 tracks via XBLA! The bad: Guitar - The strum bar is a little looser. The GH2 cherry red had the tightest strum bar of the 3 versions released, by far the best. XB360 one, too loose, but not hard to adapt too. Whammy Bar issues... Bummer. I think I got lucky with mine though. Game: too much bloom! Game is still crazy hard, but I guess therein lies the challenge. When I played GH1 for the first time not being a huge rhythm fan I never thought i'd be passing Hard or even Expert songs, but I can now. Just goes to show if you do it enough you can be good at anything. Songs - Misirilu on Expert, and oh joy, 3 GH1 songs for around 7 bucks? Yeah, pass. Maybe they will bring the price down. Hopefully for GH3 they will make it so you can use the data from GH2 DVDs. Bottom line, if you've never played this game, pick up a copy + an extra guitar. Hey, the guitar works with Windows! if you don't have an XBox, get the controller and play some of those silly freeware games like Frets on Fire!… Expand
  30. AlexL.
    Apr 16, 2007
    8
    Good game, but seriously HARD! How many people who play this game already play guitar?When I first started playing it often brought a spontaneous grin to my face wheneverI nailed a tricky section, however since moving up a level to "medium" some songs consume so much of my attention that attempting to answer a simple 'yes or no' question whilst playing can severely hamper my Good game, but seriously HARD! How many people who play this game already play guitar?When I first started playing it often brought a spontaneous grin to my face wheneverI nailed a tricky section, however since moving up a level to "medium" some songs consume so much of my attention that attempting to answer a simple 'yes or no' question whilst playing can severely hamper my score. Yet there's still two more difficulty levels to go! Consequently I've reached my limit and am going to trade it in. Be warned, this isn't a kid's game.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

5
#5 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2007
18
#18 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2007
46
#46 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2007

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
92

Universal acclaim - based on 55 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 55 out of 55
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 55
  3. Negative: 0 out of 55
  1. Official Xbox Magazine
    95
    Expect your non-gaming friends, family, and spouses to beg for the chance to bring the rock. That power alone makes Guitar Hero II a must-play. [Mar 2007, p.68]
  2. Play Magazine
    95
    Everybody who frequents the game knows the feeling when the prompts melt away and you find yourself actually playing the music; that's why Guitar Hero is the best music and/or mainstream game to hit these United States. [Mar 2007, p.56]
  3. Hardcore Gamer
    100
    It's exactly like Guitar Hero II for the PS2, but made even better by Microsoft's favorite son. [Mar 2007, p.58]
See all critic reviews »