Last week, I got to check out a special invite-only event put on by Activision at the YouTube Space LA to preview Guitar Hero Live. While I had seen it in action at E3, this was the first time I really got to spend time with the game, as you’ll see from my less than stellar performance in the video after the jump.

When it comes to the presentation, Guitar Hero Live has absolutely stepped it up. In GH TV, you’re able to play over some of your favorite music videos for songs you already love and there is a massive library of music to select from. At the event, I was the only one to play Green Day ‘Oh Love’ but was thrilled to have the chance to. On the other side is the concert experience with GH Live where the player sees the perspective from being on stage as a member of the band and looking out at a real crowd, not just some polygonal fans.

Guitar Hero is the game that helped define the music rhythm genre with its release in 2005. The series has taken a Madden-like approach with its sequels, updating playlists and adding subtle changes with each iteration (the only exception being the drastic change of Guitar Hero: World Tour by adding a singer and drummer to the mix). Now, in its fifth sequel, Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock the single player game attempts to take a drastic turn with the creation of a story mode, the first of its kind in the rhythm genre by stepping away from the Tour Mode which has graced Guitar Hero and Rock Band for the past few years.

Gameplay:

The gameplay of Guitar Hero can best be described as epically standard. If you picked up a plastic guitar back in the PlayStation 2 days of Guitar Hero, you will have no problem playing its 2010 version. A note highway cascades down the screen as players attempt to strum or drum each successive note. Bonuses are rewarded for streaks as players attempt to earn the most stars and points.

While other series are attempting to make a more realistic game experience with actual stringed guitars, Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock sticks to what has worked for them in the past. Rock Challenges return to the game to try and add higher stakes during certain portions of songs to result in more stars and higher points.

We at the Flickcast hope you have been enjoying our coverage of the upcoming Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock and our four part series of posts dedicated to the eight rock warriors that players will venture through the game’s Quest Mode as.

In Part 4, we take a look at the final two characters in the game Echo Tesla and Austin Tejas.

Echo Tesla: Driven by an insatiable desire to create, Echo has bent many a machine to her will, but this night she will perform her greatest feat of technological mastery.

Warrior Echo Tesla: Fused with the machines she has surrounded herself with, Echo has never felt more alive, empowered, and ready to rock.

Warrior Power: Star Power Generator+ (get 10% Star Power for every 10-note streak)

In an effort to provide the best coverage of the upcoming Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock, the Flickcast is doing a four part series of posts dedicated to the eight rock warriors that players will venture through the game’s Quest Mode as.

In Part 3, we take a look at Lars Ümlaut and Pandora.

Lars Ümlaut: Lars has earned many loyal supporters, fans who have followed him across the globe, but will they accompany him to a still stranger place?

Warrior Lars Ümlaut: Lars has dug deep within his soul and tapped into his most primitive nature. What has emerged is no longer even human, but Lars feels this new form suits him well.

Warrior Power: Multiplier Extender+ (max multiplier is 6x instead of 4x)

In an effort to provide the best coverage of the upcoming Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock, we’re doing a four part series of posts dedicated to the eight rock warriors that players will venture through the game’s Quest Mode as. In part 1 we profiled Axel Steele and Casey Lynch.

Today in Part 2, we take a look at both Judy Nails and Johnny Napalm.

Judy Nails: Judy’s exuberance has carried her far in life, but it is supported by her exemplary skill, which will soon be put to the ultimate test

Warrior Judy Nails: Finally attaining her altered state, Judy grins and grips her instrument with impish glee, eager to flex her new-found powers onstage.

Warrior Power: Crowd Hyper+ (Rock Meter starts maxed. Overflow Rock Meter to earn 5 extra Power Stars)