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# Sometimes, you just have to rock
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/sometimes-you-just-have-to-rock/
- Published: 2007-12-07T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-24T04:19:09.000Z
- Author: Daniel Archuleta
- Tags: local, Santa Monica, #archive-import

XBOX 360 Activision’s “Guitar Hero III” does the trick for that longing to thrash out and be all around goofy while you’re doing it. This head-banging release takes interactivity to the next level.

While the game can be played with a standard controller, you’d be foolish not to splurge and purchase the entire bundle, which includes a pretty realistic mini-Gibson guitar, a strap, wicked decals and the game itself. There are even replaceable faceplates available to customize your ax.

Sure, you could go the cheap route and buy just the game, but it loses most if not all of the excitement that comes along with slinging a bitchin’ guitar over your shoulder and ripping into some of the coolest game music ever assembled. Songs span five decades of rock history and includes everything from “Black Magic Woman” by Santana to “When You Were Young” by The Killers.

Unless you’ve played previous installments of this popular game franchise, it’s best to start off in easy mode. It utilizes just three of the five fret buttons and gives novice players a chance to come up to speed.

Even on easy, it takes some time to get used to the rapid-fire chord changes that increasingly grow more difficult as the game progresses.

On career mode, the game begins with just three songs to begin with, which need to be completed before you can advance to the next set. Once you’ve successfully navigated through them, a bonus song is unlocked. After a few rounds of this, a true challenge materializes. Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave fame is the first in a series of guitar greats you are forced to take on. He tears through some familiar chords daring you to match him. Every few notes, a battle star appears that — when struck correctly — disrupts his solo. Score enough of these devastating blows and he bows out. As a reward, he accompanies you on the classic “Bulls On Parade.”

In all (at least in easy mode) the game includes three level bosses, which includes Slash from Guns & Roses and Velvet Revolver. I won’t spoil the finale by revealing the final boss you have to go toe-to-toe with. Let’s just say that the matchup is burning hot and eternal damnation is at stake. Oops, Did I say too much?

The title’s graphics are purposely cartoon-ish, but are intricately detailed and really add to this powerhouse of a game. It’s a little difficult to truly enjoy the depth of the game’s backgrounds because — as a player —you’re completely focused on the next note streaming toward you.

The only time you get a chance to really appreciate the true texture of the graphics is when you’re watching somebody else rip through a jam or when there’s a break in the action.

“Guitar Hero III” is available on most platforms and is available in stores now.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/120707-28_01.jpg)

GETTING BUSY: ‘Guitar Hero III’ offers the best in high-definition graphics and cutting-edge music. (Photo: Photo courtesy Activision)

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 7, 2007.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/120707.pdf?ref=smdp.com)