Let's be clear about this from the very beginning - other than the music, there is really nothing new about this Guitar Hero release insofar as gameplay is concerned.

If you're reading this, chances are you have more than a passing interest in the franchise and are therefore well schooled in the dark arts of Star Power, whammy bars and the dastardly orange button, so I'll dispense with the blow-by-blow and get straight into what you can expect with the Aerosmith expansion.

First of all, unless you're a fan of big-mouthed Steve Tyler and the rest of his crew, you're probably not going to get much out of this title. There are a total of five songs per tier, three of which are Aerosmith originals, along with a bonus vault consisting of another eleven or so titles performed by, you guessed it, Aerosmith. Just for a bit of variety, there are also some Aerosmith covers thrown in for good luck. I appreciate that some people at this point may be unsure as to where the focus of this game lies, so just to reiterate, it's Aerosmith.

All the playable characters are lifted from Guitar Hero III, along with the majority of the background animation sequences. There are a few of these that are specific to the band, as motion-capture was employed to track the warbling Boston rockers as they wobbled their way around the set, and you'll even be treated to video footage presented as cut-scenes between tiers as you progress.

What really does stand out with this release is the issue of a wireless Les Paul guitar controller, available individually or as part of a bundle with the game. Microsoft finally capitulated and allowed Red Octane to license their wireless technology, and what they've produced is a definite step up from wired models of yore. It's actually now possible to finish a song, walk to your fridge, retrieve a beer and make it back in time for the encore - possibly the greatest technological accomplishment since the invention of the fridge itself. Sure, you look like an idiot with a plastic guitar around your neck, but if you were worried about looking like an idiot you would have paid more attention at guitar lessons, and wouldn't be in this predicament in the first place.

The Les Paul guitar has a removable faceplate, which can be snapped on, off, or in half if you're clumsy, and they've even taken into consideration different mounting points for the strap to accommodate lefty players, and people who look for any excuse when they miss notes. The whammy bar has a fairly similar movement to previous models, and using my eyechrometer I was able to determine that the buttons are spaced slightly further apart than the old X-plorer Controller we had kicking around the office, allowing for the fat-fingered to avoid smudged notes. You even get a bunch of stickers to customise it with, if you're into that sort of thing.

As a result, Guitar Hero Aerosmith and the Les Paul controller will provide you with many hours of entertainment, assuming you're a paid-up member of the Blue Army. Despite being markedly easier than Guitar Hero III, you can Dream On if you think you have What It Takes to be Amazing, or Crazy enough to break through to The Other Side and beat the expert mode; chances are you'll end up Jaded and Cryin'.

Track list:

Tier 1: “Getting the Band Together” (Nipmuc High School)

• “All the Young Dudes” by Mott the Hoople (cover)
• “Draw the Line” by Aerosmith
• “Dream Police” by Cheap Trick
• “Make It” by Aerosmith (re-recorded)
• “Uncle Salty” by Aerosmith

Tier 2: “First Taste of Success” (Max’s Kansas City)

• “All Day and All of the Night” by The Kinks (cover)
• “I Hate Myself for Loving You” by Joan Jett
• “Movin’ Out” by Aerosmith (re-recorded)
• “No Surprize” by Aerosmith
• “Sweet Emotion” by Aerosmith

Tier 3: “The Triumphant Return” (The Orpheum)

• “Complete Control” by The Clash
• “Livin’ on the Edge” by Aerosmith
• “Love in an Elevator” by Aerosmith
• “Personality Crisis” by New York Dolls (cover)
• “Rag Doll” by Aerosmith

Tier 4: “International Superstars” (Moscow)

• “Bright Light Fright” by Aerosmith
• “King of Rock” by Run-D.M.C.
• “Nobody’s Fault” by Aerosmith
• “She Sells Sanctuary” by The Cult
• “Walk This Way” by Run-D.M.C. featuring Aerosmith

Tier 5: “The Great American Band” (Half Time Show)

[list]
[*] “Always on the Run” by Lenny Kravitz[/*]

[*] “Back in the Saddle” by Aerosmith[/*]
[*] “Beyond Beautiful” by Aerosmith[/*]
[*] “Dream On” by Aerosmith (re-recorded)[/*]
[*] “Hard to Handle” by The Black Crowes (cover)[/*]
[/list]

Tier 6: “Rock N Roll Legends” (Rock & Roll Hall of Fame)

• “Cat Scratch Fever” by Ted Nugent
• “Mama Kin” by Aerosmith (re-recorded)
• “Sex Type Thing” by Stone Temple Pilots
• “Toys In The Attic” by Aerosmith
• “Train Kept A Rollin” by Aerosmith
• “Guitar Battle vs Joe Perry” by Joe Perry

Bonus Songs (The Vault)

[list]
[*] “Combination” by Aerosmith[/*]

[*] “Kings and Queens” by Aerosmith[/*]
[*] “Let The Music Do The Talking” by Aerosmith[/*]
[*] “Mercy” by Joe Perry[/*]
[*] “Pandora’s Box” by Aerosmith[/*]
[*] “Pink” by Aerosmith[/*]
[*] “Rats In The Cellar” by Aerosmith[/*]
[*] “Shakin’ My Cage” by Joe Perry[/*]
[*]“Talk Talkin” by Joe Perry[/*]
[*] “Walk This Way” by Aerosmith[/*]
[/list]