Guitar Hero

Guitar Hero is a single-player and multiplayer rhythm music game. Players take on the role of an aspiring guitarist working their way through a series of venues, gradually building recognition and prestige by performing well in front of larger and more enthusiastic crowds. There is no overarching storyline, but progression is framed as a career path, from small club performances to major concert halls.

Gameplay centers around the use of a custom guitar-shaped controller, designed with five colored fret buttons, a strum bar, and a whammy bar. Players must hit the correct combination of fret buttons and strum in time with scrolling notes that move down the screen in synchronization with licensed rock songs. The whammy bar can be used to alter sustained notes for additional points and stylistic flair. Successful play builds the player’s score and crowd approval, while missed notes lower accuracy and can cause the performance to fail.

The game includes 30 main tracks, drawn from classic and modern rock acts, including music from Boston, Judas Priest, White Zombie, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Audioslave. Most tracks are cover versions recorded specifically for the game, though they retain faithful arrangements and instrumentation. Additional bonus songs can also be unlocked over the course of play.

Progression takes the form of performing setlists at six different venues, beginning with smaller shows and moving toward high-profile stages. Players earn higher scores by stringing together note streaks, which builds the multiplier, and by deploying Star Power, a mechanic gained by performing special note sequences. Star Power can double scoring temporarily and is activated by tilting the guitar controller upward or pressing a button combination.

In addition to the single-player career, Guitar Hero offers a multiplayer mode where two players compete head-to-head on the same song. Each player takes on either lead or rhythm guitar depending on the track. Competition is based on score, with accuracy and use of Star Power playing a critical role.