Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock

GamerDad ( )

The new Boss battles are fun. Use the tilt to wreak havoc on opponents and for applicable versions, multiplayer is now possible over the 'net. Tested on Xbox Live, play was smooth.

GotNext ( )

Player's mileage will vary depending on their musical preferences and love for rock 'n roll. For me, every minute of Guitar Hero III has been an exciting experience. I recently graduated to Medium level and before long will move onto the more advanced modes. Like its predecessors, this game screams for co-op but my other half still has cold feet. She'll come around, eventually. In the meantime, I'll just have to settle jamming on Xbox Live for my virtual rockfest.

GamePro (US) ( )

Whether you buy Guitar Hero 3 will depend on whether you already invested in Guitar Hero 2 for the Xbox 360. If you did, this is a no-brainer. Go buy GH 3 the minute it hits store shelves--you will not be disappointed. However, if you haven't yet taken the plunge, you might want to wait until Rock Band comes out to see before you make your decision. Either way, this is the best Guitar Hero ever made and you will not be disappointed if you're a fan of the franchise.

Game industry News (GiN) ( )

What could have been a disaster at the hands of Neversoft turned out to be an amazing follow-up. Neversoft went above and beyond to make sure that Guitar Hero III played as good, if not better, than its Harmonix predecessors. Now, for Guitar Hero IV, how about adding some tracks from Steve Vai or Joe Satriani?

Gamers' Temple, The (97 out of 100)

Aside from the “who the hell thought this was a good idea” boss battles, Guitar Hero III is a must-buy for vets and newbies alike. You’ll be hard pressed to find another game that is this much fun. Sure, the bigger games like Halo 3 and Mario Galaxy are great too, but nothing comes close to the actual fun contained in Guitar Hero III. Believe me, you need this game. Either avoid Wal-Mart and Target altogether or be double sure to check the box before leaving the building. I can’t describe how furious I was when I got home and opened the box to find the wired controller that I already had. Someone call the Better Business Bureau! Either way, Guitar Hero III is about as good as it gets, although I’m keeping fingers crossed that the downloadable songs (coming soon) don’t come from American pseudo-metal bands or bands that were big before I was born (1981). I guess I’ll just be happy that Wolfmother is gone, Dragonforce has crashed the party and Coldplay is still nowhere to be found.

PGNx Media (9.6 out of 10)

Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock is undoubtedly the best game in the series. The amazing soundtrack, superb wireless guitar, subtle tweaks, and excellent online multiplayer are exactly what fans have been wanting from the series. If you're looking for a recommendation on the platform, I would suggest the Xbox 360 version due to the truly wireless guitar, future downloadable content, and ease of sending game invites.

Good Game (9.5 out of 10)

There’s more hammering in #3, with long stretches flowing across the whole fretboard. That’s good, hammering is fun! And lots of attention was paid to the details in the background, like Slash actually standing how he does in real life - and the singers' lips matching up with the lyrics. It’s another addition to the franchise I’ll be strumming for a looooong time. 9.5/10 fretful chickens from me.

Game Vortex (95 out of 100)

Guitar Hero's jump to a new developer was something that made a few fans of the series nervous. This turns out to not be as big of a deal as most thought since the game doesn't miss a beat at carrying over what made the first two enjoyable, while also adding even more to keep you entertained for months.

XboxAchievements (94 out of 100)

Guitar Hero III still caters to the casual crowd, with the easier difficulties still providing enough challenge to make it fun, yet simple enough not to make it overbearing. Best of all, Guitar Hero is finally an online affair, allowing players to go head-to-head for the first time ever. If you're a fan of the series, you won't be disappointed by what Neversoft's delivered here. If you haven't played Guitar Hero yet, this entry is a great way to get started.

XBox Front (93 out of 100)

Wer vor dem Kauf ein Probespiel wagen möchte, dem sei wärmstens an Herz gelegt, dies keinesfalls mit dem Standard-Konsolen-Kontroller zu tun. Die Verbindung von Spiel zu Gitarre ist DER Schlüsselpunkt der gesamten Guitar Hero-Serie und sorgt erst für den unverwechselbaren Spielspaß. Ebenfalls sollte jedem klar sein, dass Guitar Hero III nicht unbedingt ein Spiel für Gelegenheitsspieler darstellt, denn das Spiel erfordert viel Übung um in höhere Schwierigkeitsgrade vorzustoßen. Diese Übungsstunden belohnt der Titel dafür mit Glücksmomenten, die derzeit kein anderer Titel hierzulande bieten kann.

XboxAddict (92 out of 100)

Overall while the game hasn’t moved forward much in the graphical sense, Neversoft has done a good job with keeping the integrity of the Guitar Hero series in tact. The game is loads of fun, especially with a few buddies over. This has to be considered one of the best party games out there. And with the addition of online play folks will definitely find a lot of replay value in this title.

ripten (9.2 out of 10)

Despite these few missed notes (blame it, perhaps, on a bad sound engineer or unplugged amp) Guitar Hero is still the best show in town. Competitor Rock Band has a lot to prove, as Guitar Hero has made the stage dive to next-gen almost perfectly.

Console Monster (92 out of 100)

I spent many an hour playing on Guitar Hero 2. Trying to beat all the songs on all difficulties was no easy feat. Now, I have found a better alternative. Better songs, better guitar, online play and co-op make this game a blast to play—a definite purchase for anyone who's dreamed of rocking out on stage.

Xboxdynasty (XD) (9.2 out of 10)

Guitar Hero III rockt! Einfacher und präziser kann man das Spiel nicht beschreiben. Gesellt ihr euch öfter zu mehreren vor die Konsole und wollt mal zeigen, was es noch so alles gibt, dann kramt die Gitarre aus dem Schrank und rockt mal richtig ab. Zu mehreren macht dieses Spiel unglaublich viel Spaß und dem einen oder anderen werden sicher die Tränen vor Lachen im Gesicht stehen. Dank der Koop-Karriere und der Möglichkeit auch online mit und gegen den Rest der Welt zu rocken, macht das Spiel auch langfristig extrem viel Spaß.

Play.tm (91 out of 100)

To conclude, then, Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rocks improves on what has gone before it in a few essential ways. Multiplayer modes and online support already take the game to another level, and coupled with a revitalised track-list, lovely visuals, a great new controller and and an attention to detail and polish previously unknown to the genre, what we have here is the return of a true hero.

Gamer.nl (9 out of 10)

We gaan nu niet opnieuw beginnen te roepen met "NU AL EEN KLASSIEKER", want dat lijkt ons overduidlijk. Guitar Hero III is verplichte kost voor diegenen die van een flink portie rock houden, niet vies zijn van een dosis zelfspot en graag mee willen jammen maar helaas niet kundig genoeg zijn om echte instrumenten te bespelen. Aan de andere kant, wie van jullie kan Dragonforce in het echt spelen? Nee... dan is expert toch wel iets makkelijker! Nou ja, ietsjes dan.

HonestGamers (Staff reviews only) (9 out of 10)

It provides great music, a lot of fun, and plenty of challenge: everything you could ask for from a Guitar Hero game.

Eurogamer.net (UK) (9 out of 10)

Despite sharing the exact same innards as Guitar Hero II, Legends of Rock is, in every conceivable way, a better product than its predecessors. It's better presented, better put together, more professional, more complete. As the series always has, it brings fantastic music together with challenging, addictive, endlessly rewarding gameplay and a great sense of style - only this time it has flawless co-op, online multiplayer, and a 1980s German-language punk anthem. In other words, it's damned near perfect.

DarkZero (9 out of 10)

In the end, Guitar Hero has survived the change in developer - there can be no doubt about that. Its signature style, note-charts, and rocking entertainment are still alive and well. The track listing is not only the biggest it has ever been, but also has the most quality per tier, having arguably the most imposing collection of big name artists the game has ever seen. If you always loved Guitar Hero then there is no reason not to pick up this, and if you are new to the series there has never been a better place to start.

Gamernode (9 out of 10)

Overall, Guitar Hero III is pure excellence. A killer song list and the addition of a brand new online mode can't be beat. I'd recommend this game to any person who has ever played a video game or even heard a rock song one time in their life. You'll be the envy of all your friends and family, so pick it up; it's only $90-100 with a free axe depending upon which system you buy the game for. Guitar Hero III is one of the few video games that is actually exciting to watch, and it's great to have at a party or when you have a couple of people over. I would have liked to see more depth to the boss section of career mode and also a better battle mode, but the pros definitely outweigh the cons.

Thunderbolt Games (9 out of 10)

But I digress. Guitar Hero III is everything a sequel should be, with new modes, better music, and a very nice guitar controller. The 360's Les Paul is a far nicer build than the tacky X-plorer controller from II. Online modes are finally here, with leaderboards, head-to-head play, and the promise of downloadable content. If it wasn't for the annoying boss battles(which are mercifully few) and random product placement, the game would be practically flawless, but it's too much of an issue to completely ignore. Still, with the new songs and modes, Guitar Hero III is the party game supreme.

1UP (9 out of 10)

It'll be intriguing watching this battle of the bands unfold. EA and Harmonix have the power of MTV and the drum dynamic, but it's very reassuring to know that Guitar Hero is in safe, capable, and understanding hands. Hands doing that devil-horn thing.

GameSpy ( )

Sluggo: We've covered a lot of ground in this review, but I think we've all arrived at the same conclusion: in taking the reins from Harmonix, Neversoft has done an admirable job of recreating Guitar Hero's gameplay, and the new guitars, fantastic setlist and challenging note charts push the series forward, even if some players may not be quite ready to rock that hard. Features like the boss battles, online play and co-op could have made Guitar Hero III a legend itself but end up feeling unpolished. Still, there's enough meat in Guitar Hero III to keep any would-be shredder happy for a long time... or at least until Guitar Hero IV comes out.

Boomtown (9 out of 10)

Now, I wonder whether if we’re comparing the 70+ songs in this compilation with the (hopefully) inevitable downloadable content available soon we’ll feel as unhappy with the prices as we have with Guitar Hero 2’s. When you look at the volumes of material available in this game compared to the price we have been expected to fork over for the pitiful amount of extra tracks provided for the previous game in the series, it’s hard not to feel that Guitar Hero 3: Legends of Rock is good value.

MS Xbox World (9 out of 10)

Developer Neversoft has taken the formula that Harmonix started and managed to keep the greatness of the Guitar Hero franchise intact. Killer yet unique gameplay combined with a to-die-for song list, makes this title a must own 360 game in my opinion. I really gotta hand it to Activision. They are having a kick ass year. Guitar Hero III and Call of Duty 4 alone should make many of their executives smile as the holiday sales figures start pouring in. As for me, watching my wife become a maniac rocker babe, has given me a reason to smile too. I’m not afraid to admit when I’m wrong and I was totally wrong about the Guitar Hero franchise. Guitar Hero III Legends of Rock … it rocks.

Good Game (9 out of 10)

The addition of Battle Mode is not what I expected – if you wanna' get competitive, Pro Face-Off is still gunna' be the favourite. Battle Mode is more of a silly fun kinda’ thing and I found it welcome. You said it Jung, it’s another classic, though I look forward to a day when you can play it as good on a HDTV. 9/10 from me.

Eurogamer.nl (9 out of 10)

Over het algemeen kunnen we zeggen dat Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock gewoon een bijna perfecte game is. Bijna ja, want het spel kent nog wel wat kleine schoonheidsfoutjes. Een mierenneuker zou erover zeuren, een echte rocker rockt daar gewoon keihard overheen. De tracklist, co-op modus en online multiplayer maken Guitar Hero tot één van de beste party- en muziekgames ooit.

Adrenaline Vault, The (AVault) ( )

Get your friends over. Lock the doors. Grow out your mullets. Get some fresh ink. It’s time to rock out. Guitar Hero 3 is more of the same awesome plastic, Fisher-Price guitar fun we all know and love. If you’re not talented enough to read music and you don’t care to be the guy who brings a guitar to parties in order to swoon ladies, this is your game. It’s fun for all ages, and it’s what you need to show your non-gamer friends when they see your console and think you’re a nerd. This is what gaming is all about.

Gamigo (9 out of 10)

Es ist schwer, für Guitar Hero III eine gemeinsame Wertung zu finden, denn obwohl das Game in den meisten Punkten schlicht brilliant ist, krankt es hier und da an Kleinigkeiten, die den Spielspaß aber gehörig schmälern. So hat es Guitar Hero III nur dem Mono-Klang auf der Wii und den Unzulänglichkeiten auf dem PC zu verdanken, eine leicht schlechtere Wertung zu erhalten, als es eigentlich verdient hätte.

Jeuxvideo.com (18 out of 20)

Après la déception du spin-off spécial années 80, ce Guitar Hero 3 rassure sur l'avenir de la série malgré le départ de son créateur. Clairement le meilleur volet à tous points de vue, il ne reste plus qu'une chose à savoir : quid de la confrontation avec Rock Band ?

Game Tap (9 out of 10)

There are some other nagging issues, but not anything that severely disrupts the experience of playing Guitar Hero III. Some may notice, or maybe it’s just me, that the star power lasts longer on a full charge than it did in previous games, which makes it easier to get through some of the tougher songs. Additionally, the note structure for some of the songs feels a bit off at some points and the difficulty curve is a bit inconsistent no matter what setting it’s on. But none of that will stop me on my road to mastering Metallica’s “One” on expert.

DreamStation.cc (9 out of 10)

The Guitar Hero franchise has become one that has limitless potential and such broad appeal that gamers of all ages can enjoy. If they continue to improve upon it and support it with further content (some of it free would be nice) this will continue to stay in gamers 360’s for a long time. It’s still fun, but better with friends and even better at parties. Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock adds more of what gamers have come to love and then some.

Game Freaks 365 (9 out of 10)

Do not get me wrong: the first time I stood there before my television, post-loading screen as "Welcome to the Jungle" was indicated at the top-left of the screen, there was a rush that could not be felt by another non-Guitar Hero experience. The ending of the Career, although most of it before is stale, is as epic as "epic" can get. If you have not gotten sick of Guitar Hero, and do not plan on it anytime soon, you will disagree with my claims of its thrills growing stale. If you have seen the same grey hairs as I have, you will be hoping for a little bit of a change in the next game.

Totally Gaming Network (9 out of 10)

Overall, we would have to say that Activison’s decision to turn over the franchise to Neversoft was a homerun. The developer definitely recognized the strengths that existed in the game and wisely chose to build on those strengths, delivering new features that compliment Guitar Hero’s core gameplay while managing to make franchise fan’s wishes a reality. If the team can manage to correct the outstanding online connection problems, then they will have succeeded in delivering the best Guitar Hero entry in the series.

Yahoo! Games ( )

Guitar Hero III won't disappoint either diehard fans or people new to the series. This is the latest step in the stairway to heaven of home rocking. So if you haven't already got a copy, click that Buy It Now button and hold your lighter aloft. And for those about to rock, we salute you, and we'll see you online.

Hooked Gamers (9 out of 10)

Guitar Hero 3 provides a significant amount of unlockable content such as bonus songs, extra characters and guitars. In its basic form, the game should keep players enthralled for months only to dive into the downloadable content that has been announced. While many feared that Neversoft would ruin the Guitar Hero franchise, they did very well indeed. It plays much the same as its predecessor, the set list and user interface have been improved, and new features introduced like battle mode and co-op career make the experience more enjoyable than ever before. Rock on!

Jolt (UK) (9 out of 10)

Guitar Hero may not be a universal pick-up-and-play party game in the way that, say, SingStar is, since there’s an initially steep learning curve, but for the inducted it’s a master in its class and no worse for a change of developer. With III’s rock solid track list and further downloadable content, we’ve no idea where Activision is going to take the series next, but at the moment we don’t really care as we’re entirely happy with the status quo. Who thankfully don’t feature on the track list, by the way.

GameZone (9 out of 10)

A great addition to the series, Guitar Hero III offers some great new tracks for hardcore fans, while the more responsive controls are great for newcomers. While the series faces some stiff competition from Rock Band this year, it would be a shame for any rhythm game fan to miss out on Guitar Hero III.

Daily Game (9 out of 10)

Even with a new developer, the game doesn't miss a beat. In fact, the addition of multiplayer modes and boss battles makes it as good as ever, even if "experts" might complain a bit that the game's a bit more forgiving.

GameCell UK (9 out of 10)

All in all I think Guitar Hero III is a terrific game boosted by an innovative controller and varied songlist. The involvement of real legends like Slash and John Lydon are an indication of the quality herein, and playing along with some great songs from the past 30 years or more can really get you going, get your foot tapping and get you “rocking” (even if you want to play it sitting down). Beyond its easiest setting it may be too hard for some uncoordinated, quadra-spaz-fingered buffoons like me, but practice - as in all games - does (I’m assured) bring its rewards. Now, where's me guitar?

Gameplanet ( )

Neversoft have certainly made their mark on Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, having managed to achieve the innovation expected of a new product whilst retaining the fundamental qualities of its predecessors. Fans of the Guitar Hero series will spend many happy hours pushing themselves to the limit of their capabilities, and it's an excellent – albeit challenging - starting point for those new to the franchise.

Gamervision (9 out of 10)

I really want to say this game is perfect, but like most games it does have a few flaws. The biggest one is that, occasionally, the game will lag when star power is deployed. Luckily, this hardly ever happens, but it really shouldn’t happen at all. Also, the time allotted to hit each note accurately has been extended, which can sometimes make your rocking out feel slightly imprecise. Still, the wonderful song list (probably the best one ever), shiny new guitar, and overall gameplay more than make up for these minor details. If you’ve ever had even a passing interest in Guitar Hero, just go pick it up immediately. You will not be disappointed.

ZTGameDomain (9 out of 10)

As a freshman effort in an established franchise Neversoft has done just about everything perfectly. The game feels like Guitar Hero with just enough new spice to make it feel fresh at the same time. The track list is absolutely amazing and the addition of online and co-op career are much welcome additions. The questionable character designs are certainly not important and whether you love or hate the new boss battles at least they add something fresh to the mix. Overall Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock is exactly the kind of sequel you could hope for when a developer change is made and hopefully next year the folks at Neversoft can add even more to keep this series going strong. As it stands this is easily the best rhythm game currently on the market so if you are a fan there is no reason to hold off buying this amazing entry.

UOL Jogos ( )

"Guitar Hero III" é, sem dúvida, a melhor versão da série lançada até hoje. Não há nenhuma inovação a destacar, mas aprimora muito o que os antecessores já tinham de bom. A trilha sonora é a maior e mais variada (e com mais gravações originais) entre todos, o que satisfaz jogadores de variadas matizes musicais. Depois, a Neversoft acertou em tornar o jogo mais complacente, o que é ótimo para os novatos, mas sem se esquecer dos "loucos por Guitar Hero", trazendo músicas de retorcer qualquer pulso. Um game para jogar com o volume no máximo!

GameLemon (9 out of 10)

In spite of its faults, Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock may very well still be the best entry into the entire franchise. The new songs, a cool controller, and an all-around improved experience mean that the series is definitely heading in the right direction. This is a game every wanna-be rock star simply has to play. Now, if you'll pardon me, there are some groupies outside, and I need to fulfill my rock duties.

AusGamers (9 out of 10)

All in all, Guitar Hero 3 is a worthy addition to the franchise that offers much more than just new songs and a number iteration. The gameplay still offers that winning combination of both casual accessibility and hardcore challenges that made the series what it is and the addition of online play adds a whole new dimension. Even though it's still guitars only, it really does look like it has the goods to go up against EA's Rock Band and considering the opponent isn't due to land on our shores until the new year, GH3 has the Aussie holiday season all to itself. If you have more than one console to choose from, the Xbox 360 version is definitely the lead-pick but the PS3 really is no slouch either. Wii and PS2 aren't the best to look at and PS2 has no online play to speak of, but if you just want more songs for a great party game, they're definitely all still worth the pennies.

4Players.de (90 out of 100)

Die Songliste: Brillant! Die neue Gitarre: Fantastisch! Der Online-Modus: Jawollja! Die Präsentation: Hammer! Guitar Hero 3 sieht ganz besonders in HD so aus, wie Guitar Hero 2 hätte aussehen sollen; ich fühle mich in meiner Aussage bestätigt, dass der Vorgänger auf der 360 stark nach hochskalierten PS2-Bildern aussah. Darüber hinaus finde ich es gut, dass der generelle Schwierigkeitsgrad nach oben gekurbelt wurde: Guitar Hero 3 ist für den Enthusiasten, weniger für den Einsteiger. Allerdings mangelt es dem dritten Teil an Innovationsfreude, im Grunde ist er »nur« ein in jeder Hinsicht verbessertes Update vom Zweier - Rock Band verspricht da deutlich mehr Frische. Nichtsdestotrotz: Guitar Hero 3 ist gegenwärtig die beste Möglichkeit, sich wie ein Gitarrenheld zu fühlen, ohne jahrelange Übung oder schmerzende Fingerkuppen zu riskieren.

Eurogamer.de (9 out of 10)

Nichts davon sollte Euch abschrecken: Guitar Hero 3 rockt! Wieder mal. Wenn man Legends of Rock etwas vorwerfen kann, dann dass die zarten Erweiterungen das Spiel zwar nicht schlechter, aber letztendlich auch kaum besser machen. Weder die „Endgegner“ noch der Battlemode revolutionieren etwas. Das ist am Ende zum Glück auch nicht nötig. Solange Rock Band noch auf sich warten lässt, nimmt Neversofts Gitarren-Erstling dank einer überwältigenden Songauswahl, gelungenem Gibson-Controller und tadelloser Spielbarkeit das Zepter in die Hand und rockt als der neue King Eure Welt!

IGN (8.9 out of 10)

Guitar Hero 3 is a safe first entry into the franchise by Neversoft. The studio didn't rock the boat too much and stuck with the tried and true formula of previous Guitar Hero games in most situations. The soundtrack is fantastic and the new online additions are going to take the Guitar Hero community to the next level. It really is hard to argue with any facet of the gameplay. Everything outside of the game itself, though, is in need of an overhaul as the presentation is growing a bit stale. It's hard to ask that of a developer's first foray into an established franchise, but it's equally hard to look at the game and not see room for improvement.

TeamXbox (8.9 out of 10)

More importantly, we’re just a short time from Rock Band’s appearance on the scene, and it’ll be interesting to see how the competition shapes up. It’s altogether possible that the two can happily co-exist in their respective universes—and share a larger, combined audience. That’s provided they can both keep the packages moving forward and growing. It’s yet to be seen, but it should provide better games across that genre for us.

Gamesmania.de (89 out of 100)

Legt die Disc ins Laufwerk, schnallt euch die Gitarre um und rockt die Hütte! Guitar Hero 3 ist ein wahr gewordener Traum für Fans gefplegter E-Gitarrenmusik und kommt mit einem Soundtrack daher, der keine Wünsche offen lässt. Der Titel ist hier Programm, denn nahezu jede Rocklegende trägt zur brachialen Trackliste bei. Der Anschaffungspreis von rund 100 EUR für die Konsolenversionen, beziehungsweise rund 80 EUR für die PC Fassung ist zwar kein Pappenstil, doch dafür wird euch mit einem außergewöhnlichen und wertigen Controller auch ein ganz besonderes Spielerlebnis geboten. Dank sinnvoller Verbesserungen, lohnt sich der Titel auch für Besitzer der Vorgänger. So, genug gequatscht - Fans und Gitarre warten auf mich!

XboxZone (Australia) (8.9 out of 10)

That said, for all its minor niggles the biggest question of all is whether Neversoft have managed to do the Guitar Hero franchise justice. With a plethora of master tracks, great online modes and easily the best guitar model available to date the answer is quite simply a resounding yes! When you’re able to play as Slash while jumping off the furniture grinding your wireless guitar to one of your favourite rock songs, at the same time forgetting for a moment that in reality you actually don’t know how to play the guitar you’ll forgive its minor flaws and revel in what is a very worthy addition to an already great franchise. Rock on!

Computer Bild Spiele (1.56 out of 6)

Ob alleine oder zu zweif, die Auswahl fetziger Songs und die erstklassige Spielbarkeit sorgen für Spaß ohne Reue. Die 360-Version sieht etwas schicker aus, aber zum Ausgleich lässt sich die Wii-Fernbedienung in einen Schacht der Gitarre strecken. Dann plärren Ihre Fehlgriffe aus dem Lautsprecher der Fernbedienung (also aus dem Gitarrenkorpus) und dumpfe Bässe teilen sich per Rütteeffekt mit. Ein witziges Detail, doch letztlich sind beide Versionen "gute" Musikspiele mit dem Zeug zum Hit.

Lawrence (8.8 out of 10)

When it comes down to it, you’ll love the majority of Guitar Hero III if you’ve been a fan of the last two installments. If they weren’t your type of game before, there’s nothing that will change your mind with this one. Consider me in the former group.

The Review Busters (8.75 out of 10)

It may seem like I hate Guitar Hero 3, but I really don’t, I wanted everybody to know what has changed and how it affects the game. We all love the Guitar Hero franchise, if it wasn’t for these games nobody would ever spend a hundred dollars or more on a single video game, sorry Sega but once again you were ahead of your time with Samba de Amigo, people didn't want to play a hundred dollars for a maraca game.. The minor game play flaws can easily be fixed and the tracks in this game are awesome, Metallica’s One is my favorite song to play in this game. Neversoft did a good job with the series; all the problems this game might be slacking on will most likely be over looked since all anybody wants to do is rock out. It is too early to tell if GH3 is the best guitar game out today but for now it defiantly has that award.

GamingTrend (522 out of 600)

The Guitar Hero formula isn’t particularly complex. Keeping people interested after 3 previous titles in the franchise is. Neversoft isn’t a new development house, but they are new to this series. To that end, they have taken what Harmonix has built and ran with it like crazy. They have a few new features to try, as well as a new look for the game overall, but suffice it to say that the game hasn’t changed a great deal – and this is a good thing. While I may not enjoy all of the new tracks, this is certainly the strongest song lineup with the most master tracks we’ve seen to date. Download the demo and see for yourself!

IGN Australia (8.7 out of 10)

Okay, so we have a few complaints, but really, Guitar Hero III is still great fun. The difficulty curve is very well judged, without the steep slopes that would rise up to smack you in the head in Guitar Hero I and II on PS2 (GH II on 360 was similarly smooth), and as with previous games, it's a lot more fun to play slightly above your skill level. Keep reachin' for that rainbow, in other words. Veterans will also find that the timing is a bit more generous in this installment than in previous games. It's actually just as much fun this way, so don't stress about the game being dumbed down. We're also big fans of Neversoft's style of tabulation – lots of runs of hammer-ons and pull-offs, as well as power chords in all their guises. Cool.

Xbox World (Germany) (87 out of 100)

Rundum ist Guitar Hero 3 - Legends of Rock der Beste Teil bisher doch Teilweise bei 1080i hatte das Spiele einige Ruckler. Wer sich das Paket mit Guitar Wireless Controller kauft, bekommt zusätzlich noch eine Schöne Gitarre hinzu die Technisch gesehen besser als der Controller aus Teil 2 ist. Wer also solche Spiele Mag sollte zugreifen können,wer mit Rock Geschichte nichts am Hut hat wird mit der Musik Auswahl nicht erfreut sein.

NZGamer (8.7 out of 10)

While the game provides hours of blissful fun, it would've been nice to see some more substantial improvements and gameplay changes over what Guitar Hero II offered. Nevertheless it's still a very solid title, and is easy to pick up and play if only for a few minutes, or as a game to pull out at a party. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to have one more attempt at Through the Fire and Flames.

IC-Games (87 out of 100)

With the Wireless controller, huge (and for once decent) track list and the long desired online play, Guitar Hero III has ultimately taken the right direction. When you strip away the meat from the bones you might be left with essentially Guitar Hero II 'deluxe' but for fans of the series we doubt many will be disappointed with what Neversoft have achieved.

Wonderwallweb.com (8.7 out of 10)

Guitar Hero III brings with it some new improved features which are a welcome addition to the series, if you own the previous version then it may not be an essential purchase, I guess it just depends how much you want the excellent wireless guitar (which feels very well built) and the new songs which come with this game. I for one feel that Guitar Hero III is a brilliant game to add to any collection, but that’s only my opinion, what’s yours?

Planet Xbox 360 (8.7 out of 10)

An amazing track list, new boss battles, characters, and an entirely new online mode just keep the list going of reasons to buy this game. Everyone wants to know whether to get Neversoft’s Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock or Harmonix’s Rock Band this holiday season. For now GH3 is the clear winner because I have played it in it’s entirety and the third one in the franchise is almost perfect. Everything is so polished and clean it is obvious that the developers had a good grasp on the genre. There is no doubt that Rock Band will add something completely new to the genre but Guitar Hero III does enough of the old stuff right that I have to recommend it to any fan of the genre. Pick it up, choose Slash as your avatar, and rock out with the new badass wireless guitar.

TalkXbox (87 out of 100)

All told, Guitar Hero 3 is another solid, worthy entry into an already highly-successful series. While not all of the changes and additions made benefit the game, the core gameplay is still there and that’s more than enough to make the game appeal to Guitar Hero veterans. Thanks to an impressive soundtrack with plenty of master tracks, the still fun competitive modes and a nicely done online mode, this is definitely the most full-fledged Guitar Hero experience yet. With so much content available, it’s definitely going to take a really addicting game to keep Guitar Hero 3 out of your system. If you’re an experienced Guitar Hero player, this game’s got must-have written all over it. As for those who aren’t so familiar with the series, this one’s worth a look but don’t be surprised if the game is overwhelming to you.

V2.fi (86 out of 100)

Vaikka biisilista onkin ehkä sarjan paras tähän asti, en ole kuitenkaan marssimassa pelikaupoille, koska olen jo maksanut kaksi kertaa ison rahasumman samasta pelistä eri biiseillä. Pomotaistelut tuovat kaivattua pelillistä lisää, mutta eivät kuitenkaan onnistu olemaan juuri lainkaan viihdyttäviä. Kaipaisin myös mahdollisuutta improvisointiin soitossa, koska nyt ehta rokkimeininki vesittyy siihen, että biisit on vedettävä jukeboksin tarkkuudella kylmä hiki otsalla täsmälleen niin kuin nuoteissa lukee. That ain't rock'n'roll, man!

Game Chronicles (8.6 out of 10)

Neversoft did an admirable job, especially considering they had to take a legendary franchise and rebuild it from scratch. But for a series that I have traditionally given perfect scores and continuous editorial awards, I can’t help but feel a bit let down by some personally distasteful music and poor note designs. But that’s just my opinion…and sales figures are already proving me wrong, so stop reading and go rock out.

Game Over Online (86 out of 100)

Neversoft played it pretty safe with Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock. It doesn’t break new ground and it didn’t need to. The existing formula has made the franchise a huge success. They did add a local co-op Career Mode, boss battles to the solo Career Mode, and a multiplayer Battle Mode. They also focused on improving the look and feel of the game with tremendous results. I would love to have seen online support for the co-op Career Mode and the boss battles feel a little tacked on, but those are minor gripes in yet another standout performance. It’ll be interesting to see what kind of pressure the upcoming Rock Band can put on this axe legend but until then, Guitar Hero fans are encouraged to rock on!

Meristation (8.5 out of 10)

Después de muchas horas e incontables partidas a todos los títulos de la saga, nos queda una buena sensación de esta tercera entrega, cuyas brillantes virtudes quedan emborronadas sólo ligeramente por los defectos ya comentados. La falta de sincronización en algunos temas y la poca coherencia de algunas partituras, especialmente en multijugador, quedan como los puntos negros más destacables frente a un apartado jugable tremendamente divertido, adictivo y capaz de hacer que se pasen las horas sin enterarnos.

Extreme Gamer (8.5 out of 10)

Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock tunes up to challenge gamers to become a guitar god. The new selection of songs, updated visuals, co-op multiplayer and online mode should give you enough reason to upgrade from your warn out copy of Guitar Hero II. Guitar Hero 3 is addictive and fun for all gamers, including those who don’t regularly play games. Guitar Hero 3 has its own unique magic that has found its own niche at the top of the charts. If you haven't experienced this solid rock performance, purchase a ticket and get ready for the button pressing time of your life.

Xbox World Australia (XWA) (85 out of 100)

Throw in the addition of a brand new co-operative career mode, Xbox Live multiplayer, the new Guitar Hero website community part of the game, the brand new wireless controller (that is freaking great mind you), the ever increasing number of original tracks rather than covers and you've got yet another game in the Guitar Hero series that deserves to be snapped up by everyone even remotely interested in it.

360 LIVE (8.5 out of 10)

(...) Ist also ein richtig schöner Nachfolger geworden, auch wenn die 100 Euro für das Set mit kabelloser Gibson Kramer-Gitarre den Geldbeutel schon derbe belasten.

Destructoid (8.5 out of 10)

The bottom line here is no real surprise -- if you're a fan of the Guitar Hero series, you've already purchased this game, and you're just reading this review so you can bitch about the score. And if you've never played a Guitar Hero game before, it's hard to go wrong with Legends of Rock, despite the brutal difficulty of some songs. With online play, cooperative career, and a flesh-melting soundtrack, this is the best installment of the series yet.

Deaf Gamers (8.5 out of 10)

Of course the bottom line as far as this review is concerned is how good an experience is Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock for deaf gamers. The fact that the game has over 70 tracks is not important to deaf gamers. In fact all this means is that there are over 70 different challenges to tackle (and much more if you factor in the four difficulty levels). Without sound the game is still, surprisingly enjoyable. As a rhythm game Guitar Hero III can prove to be devilishly difficult and it will really test your dexterity on the harder difficulty levels. Not being aware of the music (we should add that the songs are not subtitled) doesn't necessarily harm the experience. Of course that's not to say that deaf gamers will get as much out of the game as hearing gamers will (indeed we haven't given the game a DGC rating) but there's certainly no real obstacles to stop deaf gamers experiencing what's been one of the better offline console multiplayer experiences over the last few years.

Game Critics (8.5 out of 10)

Despite this one flaw, there's no denying that Guitar Hero III is everything we've come to expect from a game in the franchise (and it has definitely become a franchise at this point—expect to see not only lots of downloadable content but new expansions in the not too distant future as Activision keeps riding the gravy train). While there doesn't seem to be any real way to "tweak" the gameplay for future iterations, this is the one series where it may not matter. "Playing" the guitar is fun enough without having to add a bunch of new bells and whistles to the experience—and there are decades worth of classic guitar tracks out there. Expect Guitar Hero to be around for awhile—and I'm cool with that, as long as they keep making fun and challenging games like Guitar Hero III.

Worth Playing (8.5 out of 10)

Without a doubt, Guitar Hero III is an obvious step forward in the Guitar Hero franchise. On one hand, it's Guitar Hero. Messing it up would've been sacrilege, and Activision did a pretty good job of not doing that. It's just as fun as it ever was, and the song selection is pretty great. On the other hand, they could have done a little more. Revolutionary new steps forward weren't exactly expected, but Guitar Hero III feels a little too much like more of the same. The formula is starting to feel a little stale, though the cinematics help make the career mode a little more fun. Perhaps in the future, there may be the possibility for a more in-depth career mode. Guitar Hero III is definitely a must-buy for any Guitar Hero fan, and it should be looked into by anyone who's looking for a great new PS2, Xbox 360, PS3 or Nintendo Wii game.

Defunct Games (85 out of 100)

Guitar Hero III doesn't set out to revolutionize the two year old franchise, but that doesn't stop it from being one of the best games of the year. With its strong track list, fun celebrity cameos, exciting multiplayer modes and interesting story, Guitar Hero III is a must buy for anybody who loves to jam at a fake plastic guitar. You won't find a whole lot that is new this time around, but Neversoft has done an excellent job of ironing out some of the kinks and making this the best Guitar Hero game yet.

Game Positive (8.5 out of 10)

If you are considering Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, you probably know what you're getting into. In fact, besides the boss battles and online play, this is pretty much an expansion pack that includes a bunch of new features. It's by no means bad, but it's not a huge leap forward either. And with some stiff competition on the horizon, Guitar Hero could use a little bit of innovation. But for what it is, the game is still a lot of fun. The new songs will keep you coming back, and the cooperative offline mode adds a lot to the experience. But will it be enough to stem the tide of Rock Band? Only time will tell.

Archaic.fr (5 out of 6)

Mais l’ajout que tous les possesseurs du II sur Xbox 360 attendaient était le mode en ligne. Tous les éléments décrits dans le paragraphe précédent y sont valables. Pas de zouper nouveauté, rien que du mode offline mis online. Et avouons-le : ça nous suffit. Que demander de plus ? Il suffit de voir Guitar Hero IV pour comprendre que la relève était difficile… Le problème le plus épineux devient alors : et la playlist ? Soyons sérieux trente secondes : ils n’ont jamais fait mieux que celle du III. Il y a des choses immuables dans la vie, la couleur des cocotiers, la connerie humaine, la fonte des glaces, la mauvaise haleine de Cidou (si tu me lis !), … et l’ultimité de la bande son de GH III. Shootez-vous à Guitar Hero III, c’est moins cher et c’est jouissif. Un deux en un.

GamingExcellence (8.3 out of 10)

While it doesn't bring any major innovation to the franchise, Guitar Hero 3 is a solid successor and an excellent first outing of the franchise by Neversoft. The new bundles are worth picking up, although Xbox 360 players are free to use the X-plorer guitars from Guitar Hero 2 if they please. For fans of the franchise, and especially those who have a bloodthirsty taste for classic rock, Guitar Hero 3 is a definite purchase. For others, the battle mode, online modes, and solid track list make this one worth picking up.

UGO (UnderGroundOnline) (B+)

Now that we know everything is working great with Neversoft at the helm of the Guitar Hero franchise, it's hard not to wonder what's next for the series. Long-standing flaws for the series are eclipsed in Legends of Rock by significant improvements to the presentation and overall functionality. It's going to take a lot more than a new setlist to impress fans in the series' next offering. For now at least, we have a brand new Guitar Hero that features the same great gameplay coupled with some welcome - and in certain cases, long overdue - improvements. It may not be the holiday release to end all holiday releases, but Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock is everything its predecessor should have been and then some.

Cheat Code Central (4.1 out of 5)

As I previously stated, this is the Guitar Hero to have. While it may not be a true revolutionary step forward, it does take its strides towards what I one day hope the Guitar Hero series will achieve. With a difficulty system that will progressively prepare you for the next levels, and a track list of over 70 songs with more to come, Guitar Hero could be the franchise that is returning rock to the spotlight it seems to have been slightly vacant from for a few years. I could not be happier to see these Legends of Rock finally getting the recognition they deserve in all forms of entertainment. Prepare your devil horns, and deliver the axe shredding you know you are destined for.

Avid Gamer (8 out of 10)

Grumblings aside, Guitar hero 3 seems to be the most the most refined version of the series so far. It may not break the mould, but there is enough there to warrant a purchase, even more so if you haven’t played previous editions. The promises of Rock Band seem too far away to damage the wide spread interest that Guitar Hero 3 has on (well for the UK market). Even when Rock Band does get released in the UK (Q1 2008 as of the time of writing) it will be a tad too expensive for the average gamer. If you are a complete beginner or a veteran pro; there is something to keep you tied over until the next in the series. There are a few niggles in the game, but that cannot dampen the shine that Guitar Hero 3 has to offer. It’s fun in the most basic sense and very addictive and you may find yourself losing interest with your friends and worshipping a plastic guitar.

videogamer.com (8 out of 10)

Guitar hero 3 should most definitely be praised - for its almost entirely original recording song list, for its attempts to introduce something new into a near perfect formula, and for picking up where Harmonix left off effortlessly. The songs are diverse, hard-rocking and challenging, but in all honesty, these new tracks are the most exciting new thing about GH3. The co-op career and battle modes are great fun, but had the new tracks been released for GH2 as downloadable content, we would no doubt have had just as much fun.

Games TM (8 out of 10)

Although this is an excellent game, the news that Harmonix's next title, Rock Band, is arriving in this territory next year and not in time for Christmas is the best news Neversoft and Activision could have hoped for. No matter what the quality, to compete with both the ingenuity of Harmonix and the crushing EA promotional machine would have likely been suicide. But, in this now relatively safe festive season, we expect Guitar Hero III: Legends Of Rock to build upon the series' existing success and gain the praise it rightly deserves. Good job, Neversoft, we should never of doubted you.

Atomic Gamer (80 out of 100)

Oh, and if you can beat Through the Fire and Flames on Expert, put the video on Youtube and send me a link. I want to see if it really is possible to do.

EL33TONLINE ( )

In a nutshell this game is just a continuation of the previous sequel and does a decent job, but with Rockband available now it pales in comparison. Why have one instrument when you can have four? If you’re not into drumming or singing this is right down your lane.

Video Game Talk ( )

Harmonix and Red Octane made such an amazing team that any company following in their footsteps had some mighty big expectations to meet. Sadly, Neversoft finds themselves unable to find that perfect balance with Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, cutting corners in places that really affect the feel of the game. That's not to say the whole thing is a bust, though. The songs that use master tracks take the series to a whole new level, as does Red Octane's brilliantly designed wireless Les Paul guitar. While it may not succeed as spectacularly as the previous Guitar Hero games, Guitar Hero III is still worth picking up for fans of the game who, like me, feel the need to pay homage to the Gods of Rock. We can only hope that the next time around, Neversoft isn't let within 1,000 feet of the project.

IGN UK (8 out of 10)

All-in-all, Guitar Hero III is a bit of an awkward one. For the most part, it’s as addictively entertaining as its forebears and, obviously, online multiplayer offers a major boost in terms of longetivity. However, some questionable design decisions and uneven song roster slightly sully an otherwise strong third entry. If you’re more of a solo fret-wrangler, new to the series or simply eager for more of the same pumped up to 11, there’s probably enough here to warrant a purchase. However, if you play Guitar Hero predominantly for its offline multiplayer experience, this entry perhaps isn’t the series’ finest hour. For now, Neversoft’s play-safe approach has just about managed to keep the series afloat. Our hesitation in whole-hearted recommending the game this time around though probably suggests that some major innovation is in order if the inevitable part four still plans to play to packed audiences.

GameSpot (8 out of 10)

An abundance of advertising, a few visual issues, some overly restrictive design decisions, weak new modes, and a major upping of the difficulty level might seem like a lot of potential hindrances for a game to overcome, and yet none of these problems are big enough to rob Guitar Hero III of the same brand of addictive fun that made the previous entries in the franchise so engaging. Certainly the fantastic track list goes a long way toward that end, but the gameplay is really what sells it. Sure, the difficulty can be vexing, but the game never loses that sense of "just one more song" addictiveness, even at the height of its challenge level. Once you start playing, you'll be hooked for hours at a time, both online and off. It might ultimately just be more Guitar Hero, but that's hardly a bad thing--in fact, it's a great thing.

USA Today ( )

Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock will hook you from the moment you strum your first chord, but even with the battle mode and online options it's not too different from past games — which is just fine for many.

TotalVideoGames (TVG) (8 out of 10)

Easily leapfrogging the performance of Guitar Hero II with room to spare, Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock thrashes out a strong mix of classic and modern tracks, and is further enhanced with the online features its predecessor should have had. Now that it's attained a head start on Rock Band, Activision must ensure that a constant plethora of downloadable content follows between now and the inevitable Guitar Hero IV.

AceGamez (8 out of 10)

Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock is everything a sequel should be, with new modes, better music and a very nice guitar controller - the 360's Les Paul is a far nicer build than the tacky X-plorer controller from GHII. Online modes are finally here, with leaderboards, head-to-head play and the promise of downloadable content. If it wasn't for the annoying boss battles (which are mercifully few and far between), excessive product placement and the extreme difficulty of the harder modes, the game would be practically flawless - but these issues can't be overlooked entirely. Still, with the new songs and modes, Guitar Hero III is the party game supreme and whether you're a fan of the series or still to sample its melodic delights, there's never been a better time to grab your guitar and get strumming!

GamesFirst! ( )

Stupid oversights such as the framerate hitches, no online co-op career, the luck-based guitar battles and a bucket-full of smaller annoyances (such as my expert high scores for downloaded songs randomly disappearing and an overactive auto-save) keep this from being the knock-out title it could have been. But we still get a massive jam-fest that is an absolute blast to play alone or with friends.

Gamer 2.0 (7.6 out of 10)

But if you so much as suspect you might have had your fill already, you can do without this entry, at least for a while. As a matter of fact, with all indications pointing to Rock Band thoroughly outclassing Guitar Hero III when it releases (case in point: Guitar Hero III has a playable Metallica song; Rock Band is going to have a playable Metallica album), it’s not such a bad idea for everyone to bide their time.

Gaming Age (B)

All in all, just a good effort for the third game in the series. The new Les Paul wireless controller is by far the best of the GH guitars, that's only if you needed a new one in the first place. Connection on the PS3 with the dongle was a little less straightforward than it should have been. The differences between GH III and GH II don't exactly make it feel like the next game in the series, and the addition of battle mode and keeping some songs away from quick play mode were just asinine. The note charts, which everyone was the most worried about with a new developer, were surprisingly well done and most importantly fun to play. I do think that there are some instances of placing extra notes just for the sake of difficulty, but that's just a niggling issue that doesn't occur in all songs.

Game Shark (B)

At the end of the day, both newcomers and most fans of the originals will find a good game that does carry the torch for Guitar Hero forward. No, it’s not nearly as fantastical as the originals, but it’s still not bad. If nothing else, the new guitar and online play make this a worthwhile purchase.

Game Revolution (B)

Playing Guitar Hero III is like picking up a brand-new, fashionable (wireless!) guitar. It may have a light but solid body, a sexy and sophisticated shape, more durable strings, more easily adjustable tuners, and hell, it may just sound better, but it doesn’t have the spit and polish - that look of a mature instrument which reminds you of all the years you’ve spent with it, of all the sweat and beer stains. Still, it’s difficult to argue with more of a good thing, and Guitar Hero III, no matter how long the wait, is very, very good.

Gamestyle (7 out of 10)

Gamestyle would like to say NeverSoft have done the series proud, but the truth is everything that's great about this game has simply been taken from Harmonix's template, and the new stuff that has been added almost saps the enjoyment back out of it. Hopefully Guitar Hero IV will see NeverSoft get back to basics, with none of this ridiculous boss nonsense, and make the ultimate Guitar Hero. Until then, Rock Band will satisfy our needs.

Deeko (6.5 out of 10)

So, what are left with? In all honesty we're given another Guitar Hero game that despite the inclusion of some wonderful co-op play and horrible new "boss" battles is just another expansion with a list of songs that are neither well balanced nor interesting. It's time to get a new manager for this band because it looks like the days of being number one on the charts is rapidly coming to a close.

Snackbar-Games.com (3 out of 5)

I'm harsher on Guitar Hero III than I wanted to be. Characters lack soul (for lack of a better term), note charts feel off, and the achievements are ridiculous. But at the end of the day it is a new Guitar Hero, it is fun to play, and it will continue to get pulled out at parties. At least until I can get my hands on Rock Band.

Gaming Nexus (C+)

New songs, wireless guitar, and an online mode but the guitar is a little inconsistent and the online mode is a little broken. Still fun but starting to get a little stale.