Game: "Guitar Hero: Aerosmith"

Console: Xbox 360 (also for Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3)

Publisher/developer: Activision/Neversoft Entertainment

Genre: Rhythm/music

Rating: Teen

Premise: You are the guitarist in the opening band for Aerosmith, the latest act to debut at Nimpuc High School. As the group reaches higher levels of success, your own band is along for the ride at gigs in New York City, the Super Bowl halftime show and, eventually, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Game play: One of the more prevalent concerns about this game is it was simply a cash cow for Activision to shamelessly milk. Those worries are definitely understandable, especially considering last summer's "Guitar Hero: Rocks the 80s" was exactly that. However, for such a limiting premise, Activision did try to go the distance.

A good number of famous acts - Lenny Kravitz, Ted Nugent, Mott The Hoople, among others - make their GH debut, which is definitely an accomplishment. Run-DMC is a boon, too, for novelty, if nothing else, and appears twice with "Walk This Way" and "King of Rock," which might be the most fun "Guitar Hero" song ever.

One cool tweak is in the career mode. Every set list requires you to beat two non-Aerosmith songs before you bring out the band, driving the point that you are the opening act. And Aerosmith's biggest hits such as "Sweet Emotion" are saved for the encores.

The unpopular battle mode makes an appearance, but luckily it's minimized to the last tier against Joe Perry, who's also an unlockable character. Thankfully there isn't a rap duel against DMC, who appears in '80s-era clothes and is also a reward for your hard gaming, or appearances by Britney Spears.

Xbox 360 owners will notice achievements are named after Aerosmith or Joe Perry's solo songs. Buying every guitar and bass from The Vault gives you "Toys in the Attic." Playing a song with Izzy Sparks earns you the "Dude Looks Like A Lady" achievement. Be warned: If "Rock Band" was your first endeavor into the music-game world, GH controllers are far more sensitive, and release Star Power with barely any movement.

The game's biggest flaws also reveal chinks in Activision's business model. First off, "Rock Band" already scooped four songs on this game: The Clash's "Complete Control," Black Crowes' "Hard to Handle," Stone Temple Pilots' "Sex Type Thing" and Aerosmith's "Train Kept a Rollin'." Also, "Dream On" was previously offered as a free, then buyable, download for GH3.

Despite its cheesy foundation and problems mentioned above, "Guitar Hero: Aerosmith" is perhaps the best title of the franchise. Every song is musically solid, and it could lead to a revival of a once-great band's career. It's worth a purchase if you're considering forking over the cash for "Guitar Hero: World Tour" later this year or a guitar controller is already in your bedroom. If not, a rental and some good company would make for a great afternoon time-killer.