Guitar Hero Live aimed to reignite the plastic instrument revolution, landing on PS4 with a fresh guitar controller and a bold new approach to song delivery. For fans eager to shred on their PlayStation 4, the burning question remains: what songs can you actually play on Guitar Hero Live? This article will delve into the music library of Guitar Hero Live on PS4, exploring the on-disc tracks, the expansive GHTV mode, and whether the song selection truly makes you feel like a guitar hero.
The On-Disc Setlist: A Questionable Selection?
Guitar Hero Live launched with 42 playable songs directly on the disc. While this might sound substantial, the initial song selection faced criticism for its genre focus and overall lack of iconic guitar anthems. The original review pointed out a heavy lean towards indie-alternative music, a departure from the classic rock and metal roots that many Guitar Hero veterans cherished.
Guitar Hero Live – PS4
While the technical proficiency of the tracks is undeniable, and the production quality is generally high, the setlist was described as lacking energy and soul. For players seeking guitar-driven rock experiences, the on-disc selection might feel limited. The review humorously notes the reliance on “post-modern bluegrass, minimalist indie drivel,” and even Katy Perry to find guitar-centric moments, highlighting the perceived weakness in the base game’s song choices for a game called Guitar Hero.
The on-disc tracklist included songs from artists like:
- Indie/Alternative: Mumford & Sons, The Lumineers, Arctic Monkeys, Imagine Dragons, The Black Keys
- Pop-Punk/Emo: Fall Out Boy, Paramore, Blink-182, Avril Lavigne, Good Charlotte
- Modern Rock: Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Linkin Park, Thirty Seconds to Mars, Rise Against
- Classic Rock: Queen, The Rolling Stones, The Who
However, the critique wasn’t just about genre preference. Even within these categories, the song choices were sometimes questioned. For example, choosing “Tie Your Mother Down” by Queen instead of more widely recognized anthems, or selecting newer, potentially less impactful songs from legacy bands like Soundgarden and Pearl Jam.
This initial setlist composition raises a key point for potential players: if you’re looking for a wide range of classic and hard rock anthems directly out of the box, Guitar Hero Live’s on-disc songs might leave you wanting more.
GHTV: A Vast Streaming Library of Guitar Hero Songs (With a Catch)
The true depth and breadth of Guitar Hero Live’s song library resided in GHTV (Guitar Hero TV). This online, streaming mode offered a significantly larger selection of songs, expanding far beyond the 42 tracks on the disc. GHTV operated like a music television channel, streaming themed blocks of music videos that you could play along to.
Guitar Hero Live – PS$
GHTV presented themed channels like “Famous Riffs,” “80’s Icons,” “Rock Gods,” and “Metal Anthems,” offering a structured and curated listening and playing experience. This innovative approach allowed players to discover new music and enjoy a much wider variety of genres compared to the on-disc setlist. Playing along to actual music videos also added a layer of immersion and visual engagement that the “Live” mode lacked.
The GHTV library at launch boasted around 200 songs, with more tracks added weekly. This constantly evolving library promised a much more diverse and satisfying experience for players with varied musical tastes. Within GHTV, you could find a broader representation of genres, including:
- Modern Metal: Avenged Sevenfold, Lamb of God, Atreyu
- 90s/2000s Rock: Korn, Rage Against the Machine, Marilyn Manson, Temple of the Dog, White Zombie
- Country Rock: A surprising inclusion, offering a different flavor of guitar-driven music.
- Pop and Electronic: While still leaning towards rock, GHTV included a wider range than the base game, acknowledging broader music tastes.
Guitar Hero Live – PS$
However, the vast song library of GHTV came with a controversial monetization model. To play specific songs on demand outside of the curated channels, players needed to use “Plays,” a virtual currency. These Plays could be earned slowly through gameplay or purchased with real money via microtransactions. This system meant that while GHTV offered a huge library of Guitar Hero songs on PS4, accessing them freely was limited, and mastering specific songs could become costly.
Furthermore, and perhaps most frustratingly for many players, GHTV content was entirely streaming-based and could not be permanently owned or accessed offline. This “rental” model for songs, combined with the microtransaction system, was a major point of criticism and ultimately contributed to the game’s mixed reception.
Finding Your Guitar Hero Songs on PS4
For players interested in Guitar Hero Live Ps4 Songs, understanding the two distinct modes is crucial:
- Live Mode (On-Disc Songs): Offers 42 songs playable offline. Genre focus is narrower, leaning towards indie and modern alternative, with some classic rock and pop-punk elements. Suitable if your taste aligns with this selection, or for casual offline play.
- GHTV Mode (Streaming Library): Provides access to a much larger and more diverse library of hundreds of songs across various rock genres and beyond. Requires online connectivity and utilizes a “Play” based system, which can involve microtransactions for extensive on-demand play. Ideal for exploring a wide range of music videos and songs, but comes with the limitations of streaming and the “Play” system.
Guitar Hero Live – PS$
Ultimately, whether Guitar Hero Live on PS4 offers the right songs for you depends on your musical preferences and how you intend to play. The on-disc setlist might be a starting point, but GHTV is where the majority of the song variety and volume exists. However, be aware of the GHTV’s streaming nature and monetization model before diving deep into its expansive library. While the concept of a constantly updated, video-based music library was innovative, the execution and limitations ultimately impacted the long-term appeal of Guitar Hero Live and its library of PS4 songs.
