Jonny smudges his eyeliner and rocks the 80s

Despite being something of a guitar music obsessive, I was originally weaned onto music via Nirvana, Pearl Jam and the so-called “Grunge” explosion that followed. As a result, the entire 80s “Hair Metal” scene that was swallowed up in the grungequake has always appeared a little bit of a joke – all perms, bad make-up and hugely unnecessary fretboard gymnastics.

So it’s fair to say I approached Guitar Hero: Rocks the 80s with some trepidation – trepidation that was probably well advised after seeing such abhorrent acts as Twisted Sister, Extreme and Ratt on the bill.

METAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!

However, I soon discovered that I was enjoying myself more than I expected to, getting carried away by the OTT stupidity of many of the acts and their music, finding myself banging my head, carried along on a wave of joyous vacuity, shouting “METAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!” and pointing my tongue and my devil horns at anyone who walked into the room – and swiftly out again.

The aforementioned reliance on extraneous soloing might have been one of the worst aspects of hair metal, but it’s actually something that adds to the experience of Rocks the 80s. After all, solos tend to be somewhat more interesting and fun to play than a repetitive, chugging rhythm, and as a result the tracks often seem a little more diverse and interesting than those in previous games, although it’s obvious that the quality of the playlist itself in Rocks the 80s pales in comparison to that found in Guitar Hero I and II.

There’s no gameplay tweaks for this Guitar Hero update, and the presentation overhaul has gone as far as daubing some 80s-style neon across the menu screens.

What disappoints most about Guitar Hero: Rocks the 80s, is when you realise what it’s missing. Where is Europe’s The Final Countdown? Some W.A.S.P. or Survivor? An appearance by Aerosmith or Van Halen? And the 80s wasn’t just comprised of glam and hair metal anyway. What about some recognition of the US or UK Indie scenes that bubbled under the surface during the latter half of that decade – bands like Dinosaur Jr, Fugazi, My Bloody Valentine, Sonic Youth? Heck, even R.E.M. were rocking out back then! The obvious omission is, of course, Metallica. For a game that is supposed to be all about guitar worship, to snub the most important guitar act of this expansion pack’s chosen decade is tantamount to hailing the sonic superiority of the synthesizer.

Poodle-permed

Overall, Guitar Hero: Rocks the 80s is still – just – a must have for both Guitar Hero nuts and poodle-permed ageing rockers with Judas Priest iron-ons. It does annoy that this appears to have been knocked out at minimal expense – but the basic mechanic, which as we all know is nigh-on perfect – remains intact, and most of the songs will be more fun than you’d expect.

Guitar music in the 1980s became more and more soulless, more corporate, more overblown and more about the money than the music, and, rather than Kurt Cobain’s searing three-chord attack, it was those things that really killed it dead. Activision should take note - Rocks the 80s is merely acceptable and with EA’s Rock Band on the horizon, Guitar Hero needs to step up significantly with the upcoming Guitar Hero III if it wants to avoid being labelled Second Fiddle Hero.

GAME's Verdict

• Increased levels of soloing makes the songs more interesting to play.
• METAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!
• Gives you a reason to dig out those old 501s with the really BIG turnups.

• The 80s was perhaps the worst decade for popular guitar music since…ever.
• Rather a narrow selection – emphasis on hair and make-up poodle rockers.
• The Final Countdown is sorely missed!

Review by: Jonny Austin
Review Published: 07.08.07