Post by D.A.N. on Nov 28, 2007 1:30:45 GMT -5
Rock Band
NOTE: This review applies to the 360 and PS3 version only. In any case the PS2 version is heavily stripped down, not even featuring character creation, so we can say it's inferior. The Wii version is slated for a release in the future, and as long as it has the features of the next gen console versions it'll be just as good.
Publisher: MTV Games
Developer: Harmonix
Genre: Rhythm
Console: Xbox 360, PS3
Players: 1-4 players. Can be played with anything in between.
Elements: Remember those other people playing instruments on stage in Guitar Hero? Make it so real people can play those instruments.
Graphics: I never liked the cartoony art style in the first Guitar Hero, but by the second it grew on me, and once you can customize your band member in Rock Band, I downright loved it. The interface for instruments is also more vibrant than Guitar Hero, with nice layout and colors. Never did my 25 inch TV seem cluttered when four people were playing.
Soundtrack: In games like these, a great soundtrack is key. Everything from Metallica to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, to the Queens of the Stone Age and Yeah Yeah Yeahs is on the game. The most entertaining song may just be Timmy & The Lords of the Underworld, which is extracted straight from South Park.
Gameplay: If you've played Guitar Hero, then all you need to know is Rock Band has improved the guitar elements of that. The neck frets make it easier for hammer ons and pull offs, and there are all kinds of other goodies. The drum gameplay has come out flawlessly. So much so that Harmonix and some bands have made the infamous claim that if you can play the drums on Hard, then you can play the drums in real life. The only possible complaint may be the microphone. While it works well, I never got the chance to use it myself. But from watching my friend, I got the idea that mics in games still don't recognize voice, and only pick up pitch and timing for accuracy. This basically means (if I'm right) that as long as you make some kind of noise at the right time and note, you can get across the singing parts. Everything goes along smoothly though. This is quite easily one of the greatest multiplayer experiences I will ever have.
Longevity: 5/5
Overall: 9.5/10
This game is so good that I'm gonna go on and on about it until I'm comfortable with the fact that I've explained everything to be had with it. First off, no perfect ten. I love Rock Band, and it'll probably grow to be one of, if not my single favorite game. However, a common problem I felt was that with a game like this, some songs weren't balanced in terms of letting everyone play. Some would seem picked for drums while the guitarists get very easy chords to progress with, and a few seem to just give you the feeling that if one person messes up, you don't have a chance to come back.
That's the only complaint. Speaking of coming back, a wonderful element of this game is bringing bandmates back into the performance. If any one bandmate performs poorly for too long, they lose and their instrument is muted, and they can't gain points for the performance. However, using Overdrive (think of Star Power in GH), band members can bring each other back into the song. This is an amazing element, and gave me a very cooperative experience while playing. Some people need a teammate to take flank and bust a nade through a door for multiplayer satisfaction, but popping overdrive on my guitar solo to bring my drummer back was fruitful enough for me.
The star of the show in Rock Band may just be the drum gameplay. Now, drums are already cool and popular, but damn. The drums work so well that people will be fighting to be the drummer online and with friends. Believe it or not but the drums are FAR more challenging than the guitar, and are just as fun. If you never played or knew anything about the drums before, you'll probably find yourself picking up the sounds and appreciating it more when you hear music.
The beauty of Rock Band is that whether you've got one, three, or no friends at all, it's still an amazingly fun game. The game sports Tour Modes. There's a Band Tour Mode to do with buddies. Then there's a Solo Tour Mode, which is basically Guitar Hero's career mode, but on steroids. The game also sports some fun customization options for your character, and everyone knows customization is a nice cherry on top. There are also some fun versus modes, and overall this is an experience that will make the juggernaut Guitar Hero series have to innovate. When a game can do that right out of the gate, it's gotta be good.
