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Guitar Hero 5

(2009, Video Games - Music, Rated T, Play it on: PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 11, age appropriate for kids over 13; suggested age 13.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Fresh, fun music game sequel with edgy lyrics.

In this game kids can:   be creative, create an avatar, improve hand-eye coordination, live vicariously, play multiplayer games, play music

Why We Rated This on for Ages 13 and Up

The good stuff

  • Ease of play:

    The game offers many difficulty levels, making it both easy for a newbie to get going and challenging for an experienced player.

  • Educational value:

    The game serves as a "who's who" of contemporary pop and rock music and teaches about music composition.

  • Online interaction:

    Gamers can play with each other online or share user-generated content on all versions of this game except for the PlayStation 2 verison.

  • Messages:

    For the most part, the game has positive messages that teach music composition and encourage musical expression.

     

  • Role models:

    Despite some scantily clad women, shocking haircuts, and provocative tattoos, most of the game's virtual characters are good role models for being a musician. However, some have had tortured pasts.

     

     

 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Some lyrics refer to violence, such as Iron Maiden's 2 Minutes to Midnight ("The napalm screams of human flames," "2 minutes to midnight/To kill the unborn in the womb").

  • Sex:

    Some lyrics include sexual references, such as "I'm so horny," "Your sex is on fire" and "He's gonna do another strip tease." Some animated woman characters are dressed provocatively and move seductively, including doing a pole dance.

  • Language:

    While not too graphic, some lyrics contain potentially offensive words such as "hell," "damn" and "bitch."The lyrics of the songs also contain references to violence, sexual themes, and drugs and alcohol.

  • Consumerism:

    The game includes familiar music-related brands on the equipment.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Some lyrics refer to drinking alcohol or smoking, such as "Wanna get a belly full o' beer" and "Light me up that cigarette," respectively.

 

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Guitar Hero 5 was written by Marc Saltzman

Parents need to know this music simulation game has a "Teen" rating  mainly because of some off-color lyrics in a few of the 85 songs. This includes some sexual themes, references to drinking, smoking, and violence, and use of some swear words. One of the TV commercials for the game includes Playboy bunnies prancing around Hugh Hefner.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk aboout when creating games based on the same formula becomes too much. Should companies consider dropping it before the concept grows old? Activision is certainly milking this franchise, but they're also introducing a new "spin" on it with the upcoming DJ Hero.
  • Why do you think Activision hired Playboy bunnies for the advertising of this game? What demographic are they hoping to appeal to?
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More on Guitar Hero 5

What’s the Story?

Music fans burned out by the never-ending stream of rhythm games might be tempted to disregard the new GUITAR HERO 5, but Activision's latest offers more depth and breadth than its many predecessors. Once again players are challenged to jam along with many songs over the past few decades -- either with previously purchased instrument peripherals (guitar, drums or microphones) or bundled with the game -- and the better they play, the more points they earn and the more songs, venues, and characters can be unlocked. Hit a few sour notes or poorly-timed taps and you're booed offstage. But this time around, players have access to a wide variety of music totaling 85 songs (with more than 150 songs available via download), the option to import some songs from past Guitar Hero games, and if gamers mail in the proof of purchase, they'll also get the upcoming Guitar Hero: Van Halen. Close

Is It Any Good?

In addition to the huge library of songs to play through, Guitar Hero 5 offers something fresh and new. For the first time in the series, players can have multiple guitarists, bass players, drummers, and singers, in any game mode, rather than everyone choosing a different peripheral. Plus, with the game's new social "Party Play" mode, players can now jump in or drop out of game-play at anytime, without interrupting the jam session. New in-game characters range from Nirvana's Kurt Cobain to the man in black, Johnny Cash, as well as Carlos Santana, Garbage's Shirley Manson, and others. Also fun is Guitar Hero 5’s enhanced "GH Music Studio," which lets gamers write, edit, and upload their own game creations -- now with many more tools available at their disposal. While some might feel the rhythm genre has already reached (and surpassed) it's peak, Guitar Hero 5 is a refreshingly fun game for the entire family.

Note: All the versions of Guitar Hero 5 are basically the same -- including the "GH Music Studio" feature -- but the PlayStation 2 version does not have an online component (for multiplayer games or downloadable songs).

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Publisher’s Details

Released on 9/1/2009, price $From $49.99, online enabled
ESRB rating: T (for Mild Lyrics, Mild Suggestive Themes)

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    BeAuTiFuLlL
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Easy to play

    i loveee this game i play on expert you should start playing guitar hero too !!!

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  2. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    luke3854
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Easy to play

    love it a great easy to learn game alot of the time any language is unnoticed

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  3. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    PYEsinc
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models
    • Safety isn't an issue
    • Easy to play

    Flag as inappropriate
  4. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    desertstorm
    Lives in Ohio
    I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Easy to play

    Love the series

    I love the Guitar Hero series and I'm gonna get this game just because the band Rammstein is on it(my favorite band)

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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