The 80s has a special place in most of our hearts. As a decade, it captures Man's best and worst in music and fashion. Uncontrolled decadence, often in the form of very large hair, defines an era that was big on execution and low on taste.

The 80s were humanity's id in leopard spandex.

While the era may seem perfect for a Guitar Hero tribute, many, including our own GH aficionado Michael McWhertor, have qualms with the new title. To hear more, hit the jump for our Frankenreview: plagiarism at its best.

Snackbar
the game plays, and even looks identical to Guitar Hero II. Oh sure, some neon has been added, and the guitarist character models have been mildly altered, but altogether the game feels like the absolute bare minimum was done in order to justify a new release. A classic case of "what could have been," Encore comes up far short of expectations, and as such cannot escape disappointment.

GamerNode
The biggest disappointment is the choice of songs...I can think of at least thirty songs from the 80's which would have been perfect for a Guitar Hero game and aren't in it - likely much, much more. You boast that you include the "greatest rock anthems of the era," but do you? Don't lie to me, Guitar Hero - we've been together far too long for you to be able to lie to me.

Gamespot
Roughly two-thirds of the tracklist could be considered fun either because it's a cool song to play, or just because it's a big hit with a memorable riff. The rest scrapes the bottom of the '80s barrel like a fourth run of I Love the '80s.

Maxim
The covers of the songs don't feel as tuned or as polished as they did in the superior Guitar Hero II. Beyond that, you never feel like you're actually "playing" these songs as much as you're merely trying to hit a bunch of random fret buttons as quickly as possible.

GameDaily
As an expansion, Encore performs adequately...[but] (the Guitar Hero vets that we are), refuse to pay a ridiculous $49.99 for a game that not only reuses all of Guitar Hero II's modes, but also its venues and screens (including the loading screen- that's just lazy).

I wish they'd just made the song pack available on LIVE for GH2 and nailed us with microtransactions on the skins. Because I hate to see franchises sell out while becoming lackluster products.