Guitar Hero II

GameSpy

It's everything good about videogames in one package, forever encouraging you to play "one more song!" until it's 3AM and the neighbors are yelling for you to turn down that racket.

GameDaily

The sequel improves greatly on an already superb product with an in-depth training mode, a song list that holds up just as well as the original, and multiplayer that includes cooperative play. Everyone should rock out to Guitar Hero II -- it's one of the best games of 2006.

Games Radar (in-house)

Better in every way than the previous game...Unless you hate rock, you need this game.

Deeko

Everything about the game is better and the new features and additions are simply icing on an almost already perfect cake. Tons of new songs, three note chords, progressive scan images, pretty decent covers (in most cases), new multiplayer modes, practice modes, encores, awesome graphic cutscenes...Guitar Hero is always going to be a ten, but Guitar Hero II takes it to eleven.

Yahoo! Games

The original's head to head multiplayer wasn't vital enough to make the expense worthwhile, but this time the co-op play is so integral to the game's appeal that most will find it irresistible...This is an absolutely stellar release, with too much variety, originality, rewards, and pure fun to even think about missing out on.

Game Chronicles

Lightning does strike twice and Guitar Hero II is 1.21 gigawatts of blazing electric guitar gameplay with a perfect track selection, perfect gameplay, perfect multiplayer, and perfect fun that will start the day you open the game and last until the day you, your PS2, or your guitar dies.

Cheat Code Central

Almost every aspect of the game has been tweaked to perfection which leaves me in a predicament: I gave the last game a 5 out of 5 and GH2 is vastly superior in virtually everyway. So can I pull a Spinal Tap and crank up my review score to give GH2 an impossible, uncanny 6 out of 5?

Gaming Age

I'm absolutely in love with Guitar Hero II. For me, it's the quintessential music and rhythm game on any system, in any territory. The song list is so diverse, and the control is so perfect. It's also one of the ultimate party games.

Official U.S. Playstation Magazine

In case you haven't got the point by now, Guitar Hero II rocks. It rocks hard. It bests the original in nearly every way, and that's a damn hard thing to do. [Dec. 2006, p.124]

The Onion (A.V. Club)

The flesh is weak. Prolonged play can cause serious finger fatigue.

Digital Entertainment News

This game personifies all that is good about rock and roll - along with its excesses. Guitar Hero II does exactly what it says it will do, which is to rock your ass off (but instead of ass, it's your fingers).

G4 TV

But the truly useful game play additions show that this publisher actually listens to its fan base – the superb new music lineup is just icing.

Detroit Free Press

Guitar Hero II wins four stars from me because it has an excellent training mode that is missing from the original. That's the only major difference between the two games, other than the songs.

Gamer 2.0

The game has been so well-made that it’s hard to even think of what can be added or improved to Guitar Hero III outside of a new soundtrack.

GamingExcellence

The game is just as fun as the original if not more so, and rocking the guitar is really addictive. The addition of Widescreen/Progressive scan for those with HDTV also makes the game look better than ever.

eToychest

Guitar Hero II is what being a sequel is all about. Taking the core gameplay from a solid game and making improvements and sharpening until it can cut through steel like a hot knife through butter.

GameZone

The gameplay is fun enough that even after playing a song 20 times, you want to play it 20 more times. No other game makes you feel like you are accurately rocking like Guitar Hero 2.

GameTrailers

The developers clearly worked hard to tweak what was already great, and made it superb. With more songs, more features, and more pure rock, Guitar Hero 2 is a must own for anyone with a PS2.

Console Gameworld

A rock-solid music game (no pun intended) that includes a good number of improvements from its already-fantastic predecessor.

Worth Playing

It creates a new sense of fun that allows non-gamers and gamers alike to come together in harmony and rock delight.

netjak

"Guitar Hero" was one of the best rhythm games I had ever seen, but Guitar Hero II improves upon it in nearly every way.

Game Over Online

An anecdote: I was in the grocery store this past weekend when I heard a song playing over the P.A. I don’t remember the name of it, just that it was an old 80s rock tune. As I stood there in the dairy section, all I could think of at that moment was how cool it would be to play that song in Guitar Hero II. That’s the kind of infectious effect this game has, you’ll never listen to another rock song the same way again.

IGN

Guitar Hero II takes everything that made the original game great and cranks it up to 11, maybe even 12...This is the nearly-perfect sequel to one of our favorite games in basically forever, and it's an absolute must-buy.

DailyGame

This is by far the best rhythm game on PS2, with none of those lame techno songs. All that's needed is for Red Octane to announce the release date of Guitar Hero III. Freebird!

PSM Magazine

As the curtain falls, GH2 will be remembered, like the original, as one of the most fun times you can have with your PS2. [Holiday 2006, p.68]

Gaming Target

The practice mode is surprisingly more than a throw-away experience and the track list is not surprisingly full of some of rock n’ roll’s best songs.

Gamers' Temple

If for some reason you didn’t like the original Guitar Hero, then there’s probably nothing new here that will change your mind about the game. For everyone else, new songs, new animations, and the new practice and co-op modes make Guitar Hero II a no-brainer.

Play UK

You couldn't ask for more. 40 of the highest caliber tracks, refined gameplay, expanded multiplayer and even a practice mode all make for the finest action game of all time. [Issue #147, p.87]

GamerNode

In the end, Guitar Hero II is basically the same game as Guitar Hero, but with a much higher difficulty and a completely revamped multiplayer mode.

AtomicGamer

Better or equal, Guitar Hero 2 is a must have for any music lover, PS2 owner or person looking for a most excellent party game.

PGNx Media

Although some of the novelty wore off since the first game, this is still a great music game and an even better multiplayer game.

GamingTrend

Exceeds the previous title in every way..."Guitar Hero" was a staple of the parties I throw at my house, but it looks like Guitar Hero II has stolen the crown!

VGPub

The higher difficulty levels will have you crying for mercy unless you have a considerable amount of time for practicing, but all the real legends had to practice plenty too.

PSM3 Magazine UK

Addresses every criticism and packs in a load of new stuff. A masterclass in sequel-making. [Christmas 2006, p.74]

Games Master UK

Every niggle from the original ironed out and loads of new stuff thrown in. Ace. [Christmas 2006, p.66]

GameBrink

With a better song list, high quality audio for the most part, expanded and improved modes, and all the fun of the original, Guitar Hero 2 is one of this busy holiday season’s best games.

GameShark

The replay value is immense, the multiplayer superb and the game has that “just one more game” quality because you know you want to master Expert mode. It just would have been nice to be able to see some sort of online rankings to see how you rate with the rest of the gamers.

Gaming Horizon

While not as earth-shattering as the original, no fan of rhythm games should be without Guitar Hero 2.

Entertainment Weekly

GHII starts off harmlessly enough, but by the time you try to keep up with the later levels' intricate three-button chords, anyone without freakishly agile fingers and lots of perseverance will want to smash their guitar (and not as an homage to Jimi Hendrix).

PALGN

Bigger and better in practically every way.

DarkStation

Fulfill your fantasy of becoming a rock God with this blockbuster sequel. Get ready for more tracks, more bands and the awesome co-op multiplayer mode.

Play Magazine

Thankfully, the learning curve in Hero 2 is gentle, and even beginners can shred through a chart-topper with just a little practice. Building on a steady set foundation, fret-gnashing gamers can pull of solid, satisfying songs in little-to-no time.

GamePro

While I personally don't LOVE the overabundance of hard rock and metal songs, every track on the game is more than fun to play along with, and the classic rock tunes are savage, as usual...One of the best gaming experiences ever.

Game Informer

It’s so good, in fact, that there are few gamers I wouldn’t suggest this to, if only for how great of a tool it is to evangelize gaming to friends and family. The high cost of admission is most certainly worth it – this is a show you don’t want to miss.

1UP

But while a ton of awesome bands are represented (Nirvana, Guns N' Roses, Anthrax, All That Remains, Kansas, and so on) Guitar Hero II is still missing a few megaton metal bands -- mainly Metallica, Iron Maiden, and AC/DC. But no one will ever be happy, so instead of crying, crank the volume and bang your head until your brain busts.

Gamenikki

You can play any given song at any of four speeds (Normal, Slow, Slower and Slowest), and you have the ability to select what portion(s) of the song you'd like to play. That has proven ridiculously useful as I continue in my Quixotic quest to complete "Free Bird" on Expert.

TotalPlayStation

Don't expect it to have quite the same level of longevity as the first game.

Gaming Nexus

It adds a few new features and has the great gameplay from the first. Fans of the first will love the second one and new to the series will enjoy the features that help them get into the game.

AceGamez

Without hesitation, this game is the greatest rock simulation on planet Earth and a must have for any PlayStation 2 owner and every fan of rock music.

PSW Magazine UK

Multiplayer is so much fun that it's probably worth buying the Guitar Hero II bundle even if you already own a controller from the original game.

Da Gameboyz

This game stands as an example of the absolute definition of a great sequel. It is so much improved that I cannot even fathom going back to play the original now.

games(TM)

The first Hero brought a guitar peripheral to the masses, and for that it was praised. This time, we hope it's the enhancements that sell the product - it truly deserves it. [Christmas 2006, p.112]

VideoGamer

By yourself there are a few games that provide as much of a thrill, and when playing with friends Guitar Hero II reaches even greater heights, making it a must own game.

Pelit (Finland)

Harder and larger successor of the best game of the Year. [Dec 2006]

Gamestyle

Casual players will notice very little difference and probably resent the soundtrack, favouring the more varied original. Experts will savour the focus of the new tracks and find the tweaked mechanics to be an absolute godsend, placing this high above the original.

Action Trip

Yes the practice mode is awesome, the multiplayer options are greatly improved and the gameplay itself has been fine-tuned. But for most people, it will come down to the songs. I am sure this set of songs will be just what the doctor ordered for the true Rock fans.

Electronic Gaming Monthly

Aside from the bitchin' new modes, Guitar Hero II is essentially the same game with new songs. [Dec. 2006, p.134]

GameSpot

The game is a whole lot harder than its predecessor, with a greater emphasis on speedier songs and thicker, more ludicrous solos. This does ultimately make Guitar Hero II less immediately accessible to newcomers, but odds are that even a steeper level of challenge won't stop novices or veterans from getting their rock on.

Gamers Europe

With an inconsistent learning curve and an often frustrating level of difficulty, first time players may well find themselves in at the deep end.

GameCritics

For me, the ultimate success of Guitar Hero II's formula lies in the pick-up-and-play accessibility of its controller, the strong selection of catchy songs, and the game's uncanny ability to make players feel like they're actually rocking out on stage.

Game Almighty

There will likely be some songs you don’t like, but jamming along with them just might give you a whole new appreciation for the subtle nuances of classics like "Cherry Pie."

Game Revolution

The point is, the game has no context, and it could use one.

Total Video Games

It's a real shame that despite pushing the developed Multiplayer feature a tad, Guitar Hero II is little more than a 'by the numbers' sequel.

Jolt Online Gaming UK

Newcomers to the series should definitely stick with the first instalment, while veterans should be aware that, despite the title, this is in no shape or form a proper sequel.

Official Playstation 2 Magazine UK

Just as entertaining as the first offering, but newbies should invest in the original for a more varied selection of sounds. [Christmas 2006, p.70]

Boomtown

While there are no songs that give the same sense of glory that More Than A Feeling had in the first game, it offers plenty of fun for the non-musician and musician alike and is one of the better party games available for PlayStation 2.

Eurogamer

For me, Guitar Hero's real genius was its universal appeal, its ability to cater for any taste and any ability with its varied track list, infectious enthusiasm and unique immediacy, and that inclusiveness is - arguably, I must stress - not quite so present here as it was before.

Edge Magazine

The overall impression Guitar Hero II leaves, particularly in light of its multiformat future and MTV's investment in Harmonix, is that it’s ceased to be a stand-alone game, and is now a platform in its own right. [Christmas 2006, p.86]

The New York Times

Of course, not everyone’s taste in music is the same as mine. If you like Guitar Hero II’s song selection, then you may consider it the ultimate music game; the underlying gameplay is a lot of fun.