IGN has the first hands-on look at the sequel to everyone's favorite metal-thrashing simulator, Guitar Hero 2.

Mostly concentrating on GH2's new co-op features, IGN's preview reveals that the new game will allow two players to collaborate on riffing out some wicked licks, with one player playing lead guitar and the second playing back-up. Interestingly, difficulty can be set individually for each player, meaning your bad-ass rocker girlfriend can shred your face off on the "Psychobilly Freakout" lead in Expert while you incompetently plunk out bass on Easy.

How's the bass? Visceral and loud. The IGN guys describe the mixing as what would happen if "the producers ever let a bassist mix a record." Excellent!

There's no word on features that aren't multiplayer oriented, unfortunately. We hope E3 will spill forth a Guitar Hero 2 practice mode in which you can practice your hammer-ons and pull-offs in an infinite loop. If there's anything the first game needed, that was it.

Guitar Hero II Hands-on [IGN]