I'm a rock star! I'm going solo!

Oh, wait, I play bass.

Here comes "Guitar Hero World Tour" just in time for Christmas. The fifth game in the rocking "Guitar Hero" series is basically an intense version of rival "Rock Band," with 86 new songs and more features. Once again you try to be the best musician (if you play single-player) or have the best band (multi-player) and rise to the top of the charts.

I have to say the new wireless guitar/bass controller feels sleeker and has a cool touch pad so you can sustain notes. The drum kit is sturdier, too, and you can adjust its height. The microphone is the same as every other mic.

Unlike the previous "GH" games, you customize your own avatar to shred, sing or drum on your behalf, choosing the sex, age, genre, and so on. I named my guy John, and he is a skinny young bass player with spiked hair who wears a fedora, black vest and jeans.

His bass is made out of zebra wood and has a seahorse-design fretboard. To tell the truth, it was a little tiring, customizing everything about John. I really don't care much about eyebrows, jaw size and scratch guards.

Anyway, you choose a gig -- international in this version-- and appear with the band on stage. I started out in a mid-sized arena in China, playing the Beastie Boys' "No Sleep Till Brooklyn." As always, the fans react to how you play.

I was terrible at first, and they booed and threw things. I did better on Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger" and they cheered and jumped up and down. We had to do Michael Jackson's "Beat It" as an encore. As you get better, you start landing on magazine covers, getting bigger sponsors and bigger paychecks.

If you're new to "Guitar Hero," you need some coordination. You watch the color-coded notes on the TV and press the matching ones on your instrument. You earn extra points if you hit the right keys when the words "Star Power" flash. The vocals scroll horizontally at the top of the screen while the bass, guitar, and drums are below. You can start out in easy mode and work your way up to boss battles.

A very interesting feature in the game is how the game lets you record your very own songs. This is a pretty cool idea because I have always wanted to write my own songs (even if they suck). There is also DLC (downloadable content) which lets you download songs from consoles where you have a marketplace and an internet connection.

I think I'll give "World Tour" an 8 out of 10 because it's fun, the new features are cool and the bands are a good mix -- Bob Seger to Linkin Park. I am hopeful for some new twists next time. My mom wants duets -- yeah, right. See ya!