Guitar Hero's fourth chapter
is in an unenviable position: trying to emulate but not flagrantly copy the
mechanics of its rival, Rock Band.
The solution: straddle party and hardcore appeal with a varied track list that
includes Michael Jackson and Tool while adding new, unique details to the
experience of miming music.
To that effect, the redesigned guitar controller includes a
touchpad that allows finger-tapped solos and crude slide-guitar passages, but
the pad is difficult to use well. The new drum pads register hits of varying
power to allow accented sounds, while long "held" notes indicate fast rolls on
tom-toms and cymbals. The pads are quieter, springier, and more realistic than Rock
Band's, but the kick pedal doesn't attach
to the kit's stand, so it tends to move around a lot during play.
While a beginner setting makes play even easier for newbies,
higher difficulties see dense, challenging note charts. Vocals are no
exception; have some hot tea ready for hard and expert sessions. As in Guitar
Hero III, expert charts often include too
many notes to feel like realistic songs, but the high-level drum charts do a beautiful
job of modeling syncopated and complex drum playing.