SHRED AWAY WITH 'GUITAR HERO'.

Byline: Redmond Carolipio Staff Writer

LOTS OF GAMES want to transport you to a ``magical place,'' or take you on an ``unforgettable adventure.''

But ``Guitar Hero'' turns you into someone who rocks. This Red Octane title could be the most significant piece of musical gaming since the original ``Dance Dance Revolution.'' While ``DDR'' could transform even the most rhythm-less person into Paula Abdul, ``Hero'' gives everyone the chance to channel their inner rock star - without the sex and drugs, of course.

Much of the game's mojo comes from the excellent controller. It's a plastic guitar with a ``strum'' lever, colored fret buttons and a whammy bar. It also comes with a shoulder strap and stickers for decoration. It all might look a little cheesy from the outside, but once you start playing, you'll forget all about it.

``Hero'' actually plays a lot like ``DDR,'' but with your hands. You can see animated bandmates jamming away on screen, but below them are colored note icons that scroll toward the player like lines on a highway.

Players have to push the corresponding color and then ``strum'' the note as it reaches the bottom of the screen. If you mess up the timing, you'll hear an electric ``plink'' that takes away from the general coolness of the song.

The game also tosses in some advanced stuff like chords, hammer-ons and pull-offs.

Then there are the rocker tricks, like bending notes with the whammy bar. You can also tilt the guitar straight up to trigger ``star power,'' which earns you more points. As you get better at doing both, you'll find yourself trying it every chance you get. Maybe you'll make a face or two. Perhaps even fight an urge to kick something over. That's what I thought, and this is someone who has ``Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)'' in his car. Rocking is not what I do - but there I was, imagining a stage dive into my couch.

A lot of that has to do with the music itself, which ranges from ``Higher Ground'' from the Red Hot Chili Peppers to ``Spanish Castle Magic'' from Jimi Hendrix. There's also some Franz Ferdinand and Sum 41 available, but it's nearly impossible to resist the chance to ``be'' Jimi, even for a few minutes.

You can either dive right into playing some songs, or try the game's career mode, where you guide a character's journey from playing in his buddy's basement to selling out downtown auditoriums. The ultimate goal is to reach the rank of ``guitar hero.'' There's also a multiplayer mode, in case someone with another guitar controller wants to square off.

Red Octane has achieved a rarefied air with this title. It's the all-inclusive gaming experience that can be enjoyed in any situation, be it solo or at parties. You can either play it to kill time, or try and master it, playing for 10 hours a day. No matter what your tastes are, ``Guitar Hero'' might be the one truly must-have game of the year.

Just try not to set the controller on fire when you're done.

GUITAR HERO - Three stars

Platform: PS2.

Price: $79.99.

Rated: T for Teen

In a nutshell: Rock on.

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo:

no caption (Guitar Hero)