Instruments
Guitar Hero: World Tour is the first game in the Guitar Hero series to feature a full band kit, that is to say that this game will have not only a guitar controller, but will have a drum set and microphone as well.
The Guitar
Starting with the guitar, you will notice that the new guitar controller has a few new features. The most significant change is the touch sensitive pad just down from the regular fret buttons. The new pad will allow notes to be altered during sustains by sliding up and down the strip. The new strip can also be used to tap out notes as well, and is used extensively in the music creator.
For those who would be worried about compatibility, Activision has said that all previous Guitar Hero controllers will work with Guitar Hero: World Tour.
Oh… We've got plenty more information for you… after the break
From an aesthetic point of view, the back/select button has been modeled to look like the bridge of a guitar. This is fantastic for those who prefer to use the select button to activate star power as well because it's not only bigger, but easier to locate while playing. The body of the guitar controller itself is also bigger, more closely mimicing an actual guitar, and the d-pad has been shaped to look more like a real control knob on a guitar.
The Microphone
The microphone is pretty standard as far as video games go, and in fact looks very much like the Rock Band Microphone.
We were hoping for some improvement to the rock band design by an addition of some form of game navigation (hello 3rd-party manufacturers, we're talking to you here).
Activating Star Power in the game with the microphone is done by tapping it quickly or "making a quick similar sound" during gameplay.
The Drums
Guitar Hero: World Tour's biggest addition is without a doubt the drums. The drums with the game are the most realistic compared to a real electronic drum kit that we've seen yet. The drum set features 3 regular pads, a bass pedal, and two raised cymbals.
Activision promises us that the Guitar Hero: World Tour drum kit is quieter than Rock Bands, the sound of which has been a concern for some gamers (and their housemates). The drum heads are also larger than the Rock Band drum heads at 8 inches in diameter making them easier to hit, and they are also spaced out a little more.
As a bonus, the drum set is wireless and because the drums are now "velocity sensitive" they will respond to your touch appropriately. Hit the drum pad hard and it will be louder, hit the drum pad softly and it will sound softer.