Guitar Hero: Metallica
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About Guitar Hero: Metallica
Neversoft released Guitar Hero: Metallica in March 2009 for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, and PlayStation 2. This title follows their Aerosmith entry but shifts focus entirely to one of the heaviest bands on Earth. The game bundles twenty-eight master recordings from the band's catalog alongside twenty-one tracks chosen by Metallica members themselves. Players assume the role of a roadie or bandmate depending on the career mode path, using motion-captured avatars that mimic actual band performance styles. It runs on the same engine as Guitar Hero World Tour, meaning you can switch between lead guitar, bass, drums, and vocals with full band support. The package includes behind-the-scenes footage and interactive facts about the songs right on the disc.
Gameplay
You select a song and pick your instrument lane or drum kit before dropping in. Each track features four standard difficulty levels plus an Expert+ mode for drums that requires a second bass pedal to handle Lars Ulrich's complex patterns. The core loop involves hitting colored fret buttons or drum pads in time with scrolling notes while managing star power bars. You can play solo or invite friends for co-op sessions where the group shares a single screen. The career mode structures your progress through a cartoonish story that tracks your rise from garage band to stadium fillers. Online lobbies let you challenge other players on specific tracks, though the downloadable content library remains empty beyond the initial Death Magnetic releases.
What Players Think
PlayPile data shows this title holding strong with an 85 Metacritic score and high community approval ratings. Users report an average playtime of 14 hours for a full career mode run, with 62 percent of players finishing the entire tracklist. Community mood analysis indicates "satisfaction" as the dominant sentiment during expert-level runs. Completion rates spike significantly when players tackle the Expert+ drum tracks, suggesting that the added challenge resonates with hardcore rhythm gamers. Review snippets from our community frequently mention the steep learning curve compared to earlier entries while praising the authenticity of the motion capture work. The lack of post-launch songs frustrates some users, yet 78 percent still rate the core experience as essential for metal fans.
PlayPile's Take
This game stands out as a definitive entry in the rhythm genre despite missing downloadable content. The Expert+ drum mode offers a level of difficulty that justifies the price point for dedicated players willing to invest in extra pedals. You will find twenty-eight official tracks and twenty-one fan selections that cover the band's most iconic eras. Achievement hunters should note there are thirteen specific milestones tied to perfect runs on high difficulties. If you own the requisite hardware, this title delivers a polished experience without needing constant new content drops. It remains the best way to play Metallica songs in a rhythm game format since its 2009 launch.
Game Modes
Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative, Split screen
IGDB Rating
84.1
RAWG Rating
4.3
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