For years, Guitar Hero 3: Legends of Rock was a dominant force in rhythm games. While undeniably challenging, some players found themselves gravitating towards Rock Band instead, citing a variety of reasons that go beyond just difficulty. One frequent point of contention? The Guitar Hero 3 song list itself, and how it contributed to a feeling that the game, while popular, missed some key notes compared to its competitor.
Many felt Guitar Hero 3 was too iterative, not evolving significantly from Guitar Hero 2. This sense of stagnation extended to the song selection for some. While Guitar Hero 3 boasted iconic tracks, the overall tracklist didn’t always resonate with every player as much as the broader appeal offered by Rock Band. The intense difficulty, particularly on tracks like “Through the Fire and Flames,” sometimes felt less like skillful guitar playing and more like an exercise in rapid button mashing. This could detract from the immersive guitar playing experience that many sought.
Rock Band, on the other hand, offered a more comprehensive and arguably more engaging experience. It wasn’t just about shredding on a plastic guitar. Rock Band introduced drums and vocals, fostering a band dynamic that Guitar Hero 3, focused solely on guitar (and later bass), couldn’t match. Customization options in Rock Band were also significantly deeper. Players could create unique avatars with extensive visual options, a stark contrast to the fixed, and sometimes bizarre, characters of Guitar Hero 3. Characters in Guitar Hero 3, with their over-the-top animations and peculiar visual effects during gameplay, occasionally felt out of sync with the rock and roll vibe, further pushing some players towards the more grounded aesthetic of Rock Band.
Even aspects like online play and battle modes were viewed differently. Guitar Hero 3‘s battle mode, reliant on power-ups, felt simplistic and less skill-based to some. Rock Band‘s emphasis on cooperative band play offered a different, and for many, more enjoyable, multiplayer experience. Ultimately, while Guitar Hero 3 certainly had its high points, the overall package, including aspects related to the perceived limitations of its song list and features, led many rhythm game enthusiasts to find a more satisfying and well-rounded experience in Rock Band. The shift wasn’t just about gameplay mechanics, but also about the overall feel and presentation, where Rock Band arguably delivered a more complete and engaging band simulation.
