The guitar-centric series returns with an exciting new controller and a disappointing career mode.

But before diving into the ups and downs of the game itself, lets start with the hardware.

The five-colored button layout has been the gold standard sinceGuitar Heroinvaded our homes a decade ago.

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Credit: Activision

Could you make the case that all of this was done with a tongue-in-cheek attitude?

Set up as a streaming service, players wont be downloading songs to add to their library.

And just technically, the web connection seems to need some bolstering.

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Activision

But GHTV feels like the future ofGuitar Heroif the series continues beyond this release.

Guitar Hero Liveis a great foundation from which to grow the GHTV platform.

Review is based on the PlayStation 4 version of the game.

Guitar Hero Liveis one of the games inEWs Fall Games Preview.

Stay tuned to more on the game.

To see what else we cant wait to play this fall, check out ourfull fall guide.