Get ready to ROCK!

Being a huge fan of the first Guitar Hero, I preordered this game when opportunity first knocked...and it was worth it!

In this second installment of the Guitar Hero series, players will find themselves swamped with an impressive and lengthy song list. The set list delivers many hit tunes by well known bands and artists to include Rage Against the Machine, Stone Temple Pilots The Allman Brothers, Kansas, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and some returning favorites such as Megadeth and Black Sabbath. In addition to a hefty musical selection, GH2 offers a variety of guitarists, outfits, and uniquely-styled guitars to customize your rocking experience. Not only that, the game is overall more difficult than the first game due to the new songs, and the addition of three-button chords!

The game offers several modes of play. In Career Mode, gamers will start their band fresh out of a high school battle of the bands and shred their way to the top in fret-burning stardom! Players will earn money based on the quality of their performances, which they can use to purchase items and even a selection of bonus tracks from the in-game "store."

The multiplayer for GH2 has been expanded and polished to perfection since the first game. Now, players are able to select between playing Lead, Rhythm, and Bass guitar when playing songs! The original "Face Off" style from the first Guitar Hero returns, where players perform a song by alternating parts. However, the newly added "Pro Face Off" allows two dueling players to battle it out by both playing the song in its entirety for maximum dueling action! Last but not least, for the more team-oriented players, a new co-operative mode is available in which two players will work together to pass a song while sharing their score, combo, and rock meters.

Finally, the most impressive feature (highly demanded after the release of the first Guitar Hero) is the new Training Mode. This handy feature offers gamers the chance to practice nailing the game's most challenging licks and solos. Players which guitar part to play, the desired difficulty, and even focus solely on single sections of the song without having to play the whole track each time. Training Mode also offers four speeds at which to practice with, allowing maximum potential for players of different skill level to practice songs at a comfortable pace.

In all aspects, Guitar Hero 2 is an excellent and fun-filled game that harbors many improvements from its predecessor, and that offers many hours of face-melting, string-snapping rock! An excellent choice for any music loving gamer!