Guitar Hero: Metallica

Four years is a relatively long time in the world of gaming. In that amount of time we have seen both consoles and series come and go, never to be remembered. So to have a gaming series survive in this time is an accomplishment in itself, let alone to have become a household name. One series that can boast this achievement is Guitar Hero. This year will be the fourth year since the first instalment of the series was unveiled and no one could have predicted how successful it would prove to be (at time of writing, there have been 8 console games, with a further 2 in the pipeline, 3 hand-held versions, and 3 mobile versions too). We put it down to the fact that RedOctane have created one of the most addictive and challenging games around. Well, that and the fact that you get to play with a cool guitar!

The success of games is measured differently depending on the genre in which it exists. The FIFA series is measured by which players they have on the front cover. The Singstar series' is measured by which songs are available to perform. Guitar Hero is measured by which bands they are affiliated with. Guitar Hero: Aerosmith put the series up there in the impressive bracket. But with the release of Guitar Hero: Metallica they have managed to nudge it up into the 'OMG you cannot be serious' bracket.

Now then, you may be forgiven for thinking that this is just the same as all of the other Guitar Hero game except it only has Metallica tracks on it. You would be wrong however. It actually features 28 recordings from Metallica and a further 21 chosen by the band members. All of the band's classics are here including One, Creeping Death and the unforgettable Enter Sandman. These are just a few examples of the fantastic tracks that work so well with this latest offering. On top of these you also have Ace Of Spades by Motorhead, The Boys Are Back In Town by Thin Lizzy and Toxicity by System Of A Down. The track list is crammed full of tunes that make this game an instant winner.

The most pleasing thing about this edition is that it offers you more than you expect when you buy it. As it's a follow-on from Guitar Hero: World Tour, you are able to play on it using an entire band. There are roles for everyone in this game, whether it be singing, drumming or strumming on the guitar that tickles your fancy. The Wii version requires you to put your Wii Remote inside of the guitar and when you miss notes or trigger Star Power, it vibrates and makes the relevant noises. This is a unique feature for the console that adds something fresh and different.