Saying that Guitar Hero is a platinum hit is not far from the truth. The white-hot game has sold about one million units in North America and Europe.

In less than a year, RedOctane and Harmonix has taken the rock world by storm, pushing the rhythm/music genre past standard barriers.

The broad appeal of the Guitar Hero brand will continue with the sure-to-be hit Guitar Hero II, dropping November 7.

This second game has many more tracks, and feels like they got the music they really wanted for the first game. Going with the "more" theme, there are more characters, more guitars, more venues, and more tracks to unlock.

Forty of the 64 total tracks are licensed, and the genres covered are broader than in the first game. This is a nice leap from the 47 total songs in the first game.

Career mode has seen a redesign, and multiplayer has seen a major addition: co-op play. One player will play lead, while the other plays rhythm or bass.

Practice mode is a new addition, allowing you to focus on parts of any song, such as "Chorus" or "Solo" and slow the notes down if need be. This is a wonderful feature, it makes you wish the first Guitar Hero had it.

The build we received includes 24 tracks, which show off all eight levels of difficulty when you play through career mode.

Clear from the start, Guitar Hero II has upped the difficulty from the original. This will be most pleasing to those who have hammered on the original game for far more hours than they wish to publicly admit.

Gaining Star Power (hitting specified notes in sequence) now requires more notes. This also adds to the difficulty, and is a welcome change.

On the harder difficulties, your fingers will be getting a workout, with three note chords, requiring you to press three fret buttons simultaneously. Ouch!

When you get a five-star review on a song, it really feels like you earned it, all over again. The new difficulty keeps the game fresh, and doesn't get stuck in the "new coat of paint" mode.

But how is the music? It rocks! There is no question. The full set list for career mode is chock full of great music from decades of rock.

1. Opening Licks

• Mötley Crüe - Shout at the Devil
• Danzig - Mother
• Cheap Trick - Surrender
• Wolfmother - Woman
• Spinal Tap - Tonight I'm Gonna Rock You Tonight

2. Amp-Warmers

• KISS - Strutter
• Nirvana - Heart-Shaped Box
• The Police - Message in a Bottle
• Van Halen - You Really Got Me
• Kansas - Carry On Wayward Son