 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Guitar Hero 5
- Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2
- Price: $From $49.99
- Genre: Music
Common Sense Media says
Fresh, fun music game sequel with edgy lyrics.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that 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.
What's it about?
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.
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).
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.
What families can talk about
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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AGE
i loveee this game i play on expert you should start playing guitar hero too
!!!
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AGE
Not as good as the last one; more explicit.
My rating: T: lyrics; suggestive themes; violence
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AGE
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)
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AGE
Perfect for everyone (even us the parents)
All right I bought this game for my son thinking it was really stupid but after seeing how much fu he had I went to check (after a week) to see what was so fun and after starting the game I coldnt stop. : ))
It is incredible because you start in an easy level and then you start to gain trust and without knowing you are a pro. Althout it is a littl effort to buy it it last for ever
I bought it 1 year ago and my kid still havent stop using it (I have a friend at Rockstar) By the way rocstar is the place where they made it
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Kid, 11 years old
July 25, 2011
AGE
cool but not the best
i love this game really bad! but the reason that i rated it 11 and up is because the song sympathy for the devil has a bad word in it and i heard the h word in the bon jovi song and i like it that they have new tutorials. i still think its 11 and up
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AGE
love it a great easy to learn game
alot of the time any language is
unnoticed
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AGE
Great music game with some more mature lyrics.
Guitar hero is a very expensive game, that's for sure. You have to buy game and guitar. But its worth it. Entertaining for kids but with some mature lyrics. Only a few though. You don't listen to that junk anyway. The mature lyrics are useless songs, its very child friendly really. I don't see how the lyrics are that mature. Out of 85ish songs there are about 5 mature lines! Overall its a great game with good songs.
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Kid, 11 years old
November 6, 2011
AGE
Love it
It may have bad language from the Rolling Stones,Violent talk in 2 minutes till midnight, but i still love it. i could of used more Journey though.
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| Platforms: | Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2 |
| Available online? | Available online |
| Genre: | Music |
| Developer: | Activision |
| Release date: | September 1, 2009 |
| Price: | $From $49.99 |
| ESRB rating: | T for Mild Lyrics, Mild Suggestive Themes |
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