Guitar Hero Corner: Metallica’s Death Magnetic album review
Posted on 19 September 2008 by Erik
The many musings and rantings throughout forums and post comments alike surrounding Guitar Hero’s large downloadable content release of Metallica’s latest album Death Magnetic can be sumed up in one question: Should I pay 18 dollars for it?
I sat down with the DLC and, along with considering some of the variables that have appeared, have come to the consensus that at least someone will find it to be a workable exchange. On the other hand, there’s plenty of reasons not to get it. So what’s the right answer to the question?
Yes!
- The album is difficult but not impossible to play, it’s the level you’d expect from Metallica and often times just completing a song gives a sense of satisfaction. Cyanide, The Judas Kiss and My Apocalypse are a blast for upper level players.
- For better or worse, at an average of well over 6 minutes a song you’re definitely getting your money’s worth on track length. Hell, you could easily fit Rock Band’s free Stephen Colbert psudo-track “Charlene” a dozen times into a single Death Magnetic track; then again I suppose that’s why that was free, and this is not.
- According to at least one analysis, the Guitar Hero download actually sounds better than the retail CD.
- The fact that it has Guitar Hero World Tour support extends the album’s playability much further than where it stands right now–going from just playing the guitar parts to adding in vocals, drums and bass. Think of it as a budding investment.
No.
- You have to download the whole damn thing. Personally, I had a serious issue with this when I first heard that they would only be selling the album in its entirety. iTunes certainly lets you download any single track you’d like, whether it’s part of a bigger whole or not. It would seem you’re only limiting yourself to the die hard Metallica demographic, which I assume is much smaller than the fairweather one.
- Not a Metallica fan? Oops, the album probably won’t bode well for you. This seems obvious enough to most, but just in case: Don’t spend your money on music you don’t like.
- Isn’t Guitar Hero Metallica in production? Yup, and they’ll have plenty of classics to blow these tracks out of the water.
- Suicide and Redemption–the song they decided to give you twice–is the only one on the album that brushes against the 10 minute mark. Unfortunately, both tracks are exactly the same save a small solo section. It just made a lot more sense to stack the solos on top of each other in one track; you know, like Metallica used to do. It’s not a gift to get the same track multiple tims; it’s annoying, boarderline trickery.
In the end it’s up to you what you do with your money. On a side note: If you’re looking for another way to use up 18 dollars fast, order a single item for delivery from a major pizza chain. Seriously try it, it’s freaking ridiculous.
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Tags | Activision, Death Magnetic, GH3, guitar hero world tour, metallica, Top Reasons
December 26th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
I don’t care if it’s $80! I’d still buy it, coz i absolutely love Metallica, and the only reason I haven’t downloaded it, is because I have a Wii. I also play the real guitar and guitar hero is close enough to playing a real giutar, and it cheaper!
November 23rd, 2008 at 3:42 am
i love to listen that album expecially the day that never comes. but t dont have the money to buy.
September 27th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
I don’t know what you just said, but it sounds like you want answers.
September 21st, 2008 at 1:06 pm
Every new game release Guitar Hero gets further away from the “air guitar” stereotype and closer to real guitar functionality. It’s really neither though as it certainly doesn’t measure up to playing a real guitar, but there’s plenty of skill and dexterity involved. Air guitar can only earn you style points, it doesn’t give you a close-to-accurate look into hammer-ons, pull-offs, etc. like GH does.
September 21st, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Guitar hero: it’s the new way to play air guitar. Oh well. The GH3 tracks serve only ONE good purpose and that is they show that the tracks could be remixed and remastered to a much better state than they are on the CD. Learn how to play a real guitar, kids; it’s a whole lot more fun.
September 21st, 2008 at 8:26 am
@Moose
Free?
Why on earth would it be free?
Where’d u get a stupid idea like that from?
September 20th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
You reason why you should download it. It’s FREE!
BTW I hate Metallica