GH3

Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, commonly abbreviated GH3, is a music rhythm game and the third main entry in the Guitar Hero series. It was developed by Neversoft and published by Activision. The game was released in 2007 for PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360, with a version for Nintendo Wii following in 2008. It builds on the customs of earlier titles by expanding the track list and introducing new features.

Gameplay centers on a guitar-shaped controller, or a standard controller on some platforms. Players press five fret buttons and strum in time with notes that travel along a scrolling highway. The core modes include a Career mode and multiplayer options, with online play available on supported platforms. The game introduces more advanced note charts and interactive features like Star Power, which preserves a player's score multiplier.

Soundtrack and licensing: GH3 features a large, licensed rock song setlist including popular tracks such as Through the Fire and Flames by DragonForce, One by Metallica, and Welcome to the Jungle by Guns N' Roses. The soundtrack spans multiple rock subgenres and eras and includes downloadable content in some editions.

Development and reception: Developed by Neversoft, the game was widely anticipated and became a commercial success, helping to sustain the rhythm game genre at the time. Critics praised its song catalog and accessible core gameplay, while some noted high difficulty and repetitive mechanics.

Legacy: GH3's commercial success helped propel the Guitar Hero franchise through subsequent installments and renewed interest in licensed music games. It influenced later rhythm titles in balancing accessible play with a challenging endgame and highlighted the role of online and downloadable content in sustaining a game's lifecyle.