Game review: Rocksmith

The music game genre hit the proverbial wall last year as each release provided only the same old thing.

This year has been a barren one for wannabe rock gods - until now.

Ubisoft has turned the genre on its head with a guitar game that requires a real guitar (or bass) to play.

You can buy guitar plus game packages or just the game if you already have a guitar.

As long as your guitar has a inch output jack then you can use the included Rocksmith Real Tone Cable to connect to your PS3, Xbox 360 or PC's USB port. Then you're ready to rock.

The on-screen interface is similar in style to Guitar Hero.

The strings and fretboard are represented on the screen, each string is given a colour and each fret has a number.

Just as in Guitar Hero, notes come towards you and need to be strummed when they reach a certain point.

Basic skills can be perfected with a selection of great mini-games that teach your hands to find the right fret without needing to look down all the time.

These are cleverly presented as games that mimic the likes of Bejewelled and Space Invaders.

Split-screen multiplayer is also available and is superb fun if one of you has a bass guitar.

Rocksmith's innovation is exactly the breath of fresh air that music-gaming has been screaming out for.

With more than 50 current and classic rock hits and a host of new downloadable content to come, this is going to be the must-have gaming present.

Rocksmith

From: Ubisoft

For: PS3, Xbox 360, PC

Rating: 5 / 5 stars