Rock Band

[Love_me_like_a_lion]

System: Xbox360


Probably one of the best Multiplayer games ever to be made. And I probably didn't have half the fun as some other people might with this game. First of all, 8/10 things in this game are completely and totally better than the guitar hero games. Why not completely better? Well I have a few complaints.

Let's start with something minor, the character creation. It is so much better than guitar Hero's. I don't own Guitar Hero 3, but I assume that the graphics have improved since Guitar Hero 2 on the 360, but with that being said Rock Band's graphics kick the asses of every character model in Guitar Hero 2. Infact the creators of Rock Band didn't really need to focus so much on these graphics and could have just made them as good or slightly better than the graphics of Guitar Hero 2. But they went the extra mile. These graphics are fantastic.

What could only be described as a mix of updated Guitar Hero 2 graphics with the graphics of Team Fortress 2(the cell-shadey but not completely cell-shaded graphics) thrown into the mix, these graphics really stand out. Along with the fact that you can now customize ever aspect of your character, down to his or her tattoos. Combined with the fact that there are some really wild choices of clothes, you can have a lot of fun just customizing the characters.

Moving on to the game itself; it's pretty brilliant. Playing the game is different for each person though, depending on what instrument they choose. The guitar plays basically like the Guitar Hero game, with the exception of solos where you are able to churn out extra points; and same thing with the Bass.

The Singing plays just like every other singing game(so I've heard, I don't actually own any singing game) but the point is to match the pitch that the game is throwing at you. It also helps if you say the words.

The drums are probably the most unique and the most difficult. Even on easy mode newcomers will probably have a tough time getting used to the concept. The drums are definatley the most of out of all the instruments as well, but only when you are good at them. You can get great at the drums on easy mode and have a good time with it, but it probably wouldn't be as satisfying as getting great at the drums on hard or expert and really just jamming out. But a feat like that is tough to accomplish.

Next is the song selection, which I am a little disappointed by. Although, since now people are playing different instruments, they need songs that people can play the guitar, sing, and drum to without killing themselves, you'd think they could have better songs.

Maybe it's just me and my lack of bands in my own playlist, but not only did I not recognize most of the bands that were chosen in this game, but most of the songs, even on the more popular bands, were pretty slow(er) rock than say guitar hero's choice. There are definatley some great songs in there, but then again there are some pretty dull songs. A notable song is Creep by Radiohead, which has to be the worst song ever to be sung(but that's just me)

Multiplayer mode is really where it's at, and there are a number of modes. There's band world tour, tug of war, and a score duel. Band World Tour is exactly how it sounds, where you get 2-4 people together and just jam out through different areas of the world. It isn't exactly like solo tour where the game just gives you a list of more songs every time you complete a set and move on; this gets a little more in depth with it and makes you feel like you're actually going on tour. This is a bit more fun, until you realize you have played the song "Maps" over 5 times. Over all its a blast especially if you get a group of good friends who happen to be really good at the game and play for hours at a time.

The one really bad thing about this game is that online this is only for quickplay, which is understandable considering 4 random people might not want to play a world tour for hours at a time, and will probably never meet up again, but quickplay is still pretty fun.

Tug of War is your basic "you play a part, then your opponent plays a part" and whoever has the higher score at the end wins. This is not nearly as fun as the much better score duel, where you play the entire song and just try to get a better score than your opponent.

Every multiplayer mode is pretty fun, and is what you're going to be playing for most of your Rock Band playing time; unless it's solo tour to unlock more songs for when your friends just come over.

The complaints now:

The Guitar the game comes with: It may just be my guitar, but there is no way in hell to get your overdrive going(Rock Band's equivilent to Star Power). I can be shaking the controller up and down for 5 minutes and 4/5 times Overdrive does not activate. Hopefully you have Guitar Hero 2 or 3, because that's the guitar you're going to be using for this game.

My other complaint is the song choice, which I already mentioned, but it could be a lot better. But it is really over shadowed by great single and multiplayer on multiple instruments.

Rating : :heya::heya::heya::heya: 1/2/ :heya::heya::heya::heya::heya:

[HappinessMan]

Excellent Review, I just wanna add a few things:

*Guitar Hero's layout of the frets on screen got me dizzy and a bit nauseas, but Rock Band is alot better looking and easy on the eyes.

*If your having issues with Star Power on the Fender Stratocaster (Guitar that comes with Rock Band) press back while you play to activate it. I don't have any problems with activating Star Power, all I do is tilt the neck upright, and it activates.

[SputnikKintups]

The game is a very good game. The drums are tough to say the least. If you play rums in real life, it may seem a little bit easier, but it is still hard. The guitar is easier to play than guitar hero, but i was expecting that. The songs are meant for a group and all of the players, not just the guitarist. Singing.. i guess if your good at it then its easy, but i can't sing. I fail on easy. All in all, i love the game, but i personally don't like the rock band guitars.

[JonC]

I agree with everything you said except teh song selection. I think its wonderful, very diverse. Sure, some of the songs I'm not fond of, such as the song by Coheed and Cambria, because well, that guy can't fucking sing for shit. But its' about the guitar(which is what I play the best on the game).

Some songs are annoying to play, such as Suffragate City by David Bowie. I hate the fact some songs are harder to play on the games than they are on real guitar. Such as Highway Star by Deep Purple (one of two songs im not able to beat on expert).

I also love how Harmonix has kept their word so far when it comes to downloadble content, 3 new songs every week or whatever.

The guitar sucks, I hate to say. Sure it looks great, and feels like a real guitar, but it plays crappy. I'm afraid to strum the strum bar, like I'm going to break it, and also the buttons(the main set) seem stiff. I like the solo buttons better, they're just so small. I would play a song which I should be able to 100% or at least near it, and I would mess up because the damn buttons seemed so stiff. I tested my theory by using the X-plorer and I done fine. So, I just paly with it, though its a bit worn out now, I need to get a new one.

Oh and did you guys here that Mad Catz are going to be producing official instruments for Rock Band? I hope they make their guitars better than the one that comes with the game. And maybe make teh sound absorption of the drums better, sometimes the sticks hitting the drums is annoying.

[Sarge51]

The controller is whack, I agree. It feels weird and mainly for me, the buttons are too huge (and too small for the tapping buttons) and star power won't work unless I have it flat on my body and the neck not angled. BUT. The tapping buttons work GREAT for Big Rock Endings.

Some songs get old after awhile. I can play N.I.B. with the Guitar and the Mic (at the same time), 'Welcome Home' DOES have awesome guitar parts. I love that song, but the singing does kind of suck. Except where it goes, OooooOOOOOHhh!

I bought the Rock Band Theme, and about 8 maybe 12 DLC songs. Especially Move Along and Dirty Little Secret, I hate the songs, but they are easy and only cost 80 MSpoints. I am glad they've kept on schedule with new songs. If they would release some good ones. The Number of the Beast has a CRAPPY vocalist, so I am not buying it.

[Commodity]

such as the song by Coheed and Cambria, because well, that guy can't fucking sing for shit.


Claudio Sanchez owns, just because you can't sing an ultra high C doesn't mean that he sucks.

I can't find this game anywhere near me, everyone here is too into games like this.

[Derelict]

This game is not nearly as hard as you people make it seem. I played it at a friend's and absolute dominated him with the guitar so he made me sing and I dominated again. I did the singing on hard and got perfect, so that was pretty cool.

[Tempest]

Yeah, how can you say Welcome Home sucks? :ahe: The singing is awesome on that song. He reminds me of someone like Dani Filth in that song, only he can stay on key and he doesn't shriek like his balls are caught in a vice.

Also: Derelict, yeah, it's a lot easier than the Guitar Heroes. However, try drums for a not-so-nice surprise.

EDIT: Also, Rock Band is actually a bit harder for most people who have played the other Guitar Heroes a lot. The charts are MUCH easier, but the window for notes, and especially hammer-ons and pull-offs is a LOT smaller, so you have to be much more precise. I think the charts make up for it though.

[Sarge51]

Rock Band is hard, because of the harder to hit HOPOs. It goes back to the old GH2 days. If you've played GH3, you're basically handicapped to this game now.

As for note charts, I haven't seen many that are 'that' hard.

[Madness]

Too bad if you want to buy the complete set with all the instruments you have to dish out some serious bank. I do agree that it is a fun party game but I think that it's a guitar hero rip off on the guitar portion of the game.

[Patticus]

I don't have any problem with the new guitar that rock band provides except that the strummer is kinda weird. Sometimes i can't tell if i pushed it down enough and when I try to play those harder songs with more intense charts i end up missing a lot more notes than i really should have. But as for the guitar problem if you have a guitar from guitar hero you can use it with the game so problem solved.

[Pelican Man]

but I think that it's a guitar hero rip off on the guitar portion of the game.

Maybe because it's by the guys who originally did Guitar Hero :indiff: and how are they meant to make a game like this without seeing like ripping the guitar part off Guitar Hero?

Oh hey, they're copying Singstar too! Assholes!

[chessie]

I read the reviews and it's like a blokes version of dance matt. Wouldn't mind having a go though.

[JonC]

Claudio Sanchez owns, just because you can't sing an ultra high C doesn't mean that he sucks.

I can't find this game anywhere near me, everyone here is too into games like this.


Just because you can sing in a ultra high C doesn't mean you can sing well either. I honestly, find his voice annoying.

[Sarge51]

Too bad if you want to buy the complete set with all the instruments you have to dish out some serious bank. I do agree that it is a fun party game but I think that it's a guitar hero rip off on the guitar portion of the game.

I am one of those people who went to about 5 stores to get 5 Rock Bands. In-fact. One store we went to was sold out because they were letting them walk out of the store with as many as they wanted, and when we walked in, there was a car in the lot with about 8 in the back. and it was a small car too! Too bad we didn't get off much profit.

I think everyone should just buy the game and the guitar (or drums) then buy another instrument once you've had your fill.

[Hickabod]

I'm totally psyched about this game, Guitar Hero 3 is coming to the end of its ability to hold my attention, I lust for new songs and can't wait to get my hands on this killer soundtrack. But, seriously, why the FUCK does Europe still not even have a release date? I think its fucking disgusting. Guitar Hero 3 is region free so I imported 3 weeks before it came out in the Uk. I mean, what the hell is the hold up? I don't even want the instruments because I'd only ever play the Guitar (maybe the Bass) with my Guitar Hero 2 guitar.

[Sarge51]

Harmonix really has been shunning non-american countries. It's sick. Canadians had to wait longer for theirs, and they also have higher DLC prices.

[Gudizere]

I was chatting to Oberlin earlier, and he said it's much better than GH III. My only worry is that, from what i've seen, in 4 player mode the screen looks a little cramped. But from what i'm hoping, it will be great fun to jam online with a couple of guys.

[Sarge51]

It looks cramped on Videos, but not so much when you're actually playing, but I've never really worried about it. I guess I am so stuck on what my notes are, and how cool my character looks.

[JonC]

If you're like with a 12 inch tv, I think it might be a little cramped. 24 inch computer monitor, ftw.

[Sarge51]

Anything above 20 Inches should be alright. But bigger is definitely better for this game.

[Shagg]

Does anyone else HATE the online quickplay? Since you have an account set up to a certain instrument when you sign on; say you wanna play with someone, but you both have the same instrument (two drums for example).. one person now has to log-out, switch instruments, then log back in. I rather just unplug and replug in the same place. Also how you can only make a character that plays one instrument. If you wanna sing for once, you have to make a completley new character to do that. Can't I just switch em'?

[Sarge51]

I don't know why they made it so that you have to sign out, unplug your controller, plug back in and sign back in. It's a pain for me when I want to switch between Mic and Guitar. It's not just quickplay.

As for a singing character. I just played a few DLC songs to get 150 bucks. Seeing as how you don't need to buy a new instrument that money can go straight for clothes. I have a singer and a guitarist female that both look exactly the same aside from the guitarist is red and black themed and the singer is white and black themed.

[this is not a post]

Oh thank fuck, finally. Turns out the Europe release date is the 6th of March. Now all I need is to know just how extortionate the price will be...

[Sarge51]

Hopefully whatever the equivalent of 160 US Dollars is. If not, then they are just screwing out another country.

I just beat Expert Solo Career on the Guitar. I beat Green Grass and High Tides on my first try, and nearly failed twice. Now if they would bring out Online BWT so I can get the other half of Rock Bands Achievements.

[this is not a post]

Oh, it's always much much more expensive here. GH3 cost what for you would be like $160 or thereabouts.
Bloody ridiculous.

[JonC]

Hopefully whatever the equivalent of 160 US Dollars is. If not, then they are just screwing out another country.

I just beat Expert Solo Career on the Guitar. I beat Green Grass and High Tides on my first try, and nearly failed twice. Now if they would bring out Online BWT so I can get the other half of Rock Bands Achievements.

You beat it on Expert? I fucking can't do it man. I have two songs left and I keep failing them. Highway Star and Green Grass and High Tides. On Highway Star, I fail it at the solo part with all the hammer ones, it just fucks me up. And on Green Grass, I fuck it up usually during the solo. Pisses me off man.

Especially Highway Star because I know that shit isn't that hard to play on a real guitar, its utter rediculous, makes me just want to buy a real guitar and play it. Which I plan on doing here soon. I'm tired of playing some damn video game. Funny, I've always wanted to play guitar, somewhat anyway. I'd love to jam with my step-dad, haha.

Oh, Sarge, do you have tips for beating those two songs on Expert? Or should i just get better, haha.

[BreakTheWalls]

Sorry to bump this but since Rock Band keeps bringing out new songs every week, I feel it necessary to discuss.

Anyone tried out some of the downloaded stuff? Toxicity came out a couple of days ago and that was fun to play, if a little hard. I also thank Harmonix with every beam of my soul for putting Testament on there. Electric Crown ftw!

USER WAS PUT IN TIMEOUT FOR THIS POST. (http://forums.explosm.net/eventlog.php)
Reason: AOLisms ftl.

[Tempest]

Thought I'd bring this up for anyone who isn't an active participant in the rock band forums, and thus probably doesn't know.

Downloadable content for the week of 8/12 has been announced:

Roadrunner 6 Pack, filled to the brim with metal mayhem. The pack will be 480 MSP (aka $5.99) and single tracks will be 80 MSP (aka $0.99) for the first month. From that point on the pack will be 800 MSP (aka $9.99) and the single tracks will become 160 MSP (aka $1.99).
Tracks will be out on Tuesday on Xbox Marketplace and Thursday on the Playstation Store.

Airbourne – Runnin’ Wild (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wE6qSV-ufb0) - 80 MSP - $0.99

DevilDriver – Clouds Over California (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=800HsgS03o0) - 80 MSP - $0.99

Dream Theater – Constant Motion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgP1bjCfCNI) - 80 MSP - $0.99

Killswitch Engage – My Curse (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPW9AbRMwFU) - 80 MSP - $0.99

Machine Head – Aesthetics Of Hate (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFACKpApNMg) - 80 MSP - $0.99

Megadeth – Sleepwalker (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRGBi_ii3sk) - 80 MSP - $0.99

Fuck yeah, Dream Theater.

[UnHung]

DOes anyone else think that its a little unecessary to make Rock Band 2? I mean every week more songs come out and there not going to be much difference in gameplay sowhy can't everybody continue to buy the songs that they always release and forget aboutspending another 60 dollars for a new game.

[Tempest]

DOes anyone else think that its a little unecessary to make Rock Band 2? I mean every week more songs come out and there not going to be much difference in gameplay sowhy can't everybody continue to buy the songs that they always release and forget aboutspending another 60 dollars for a new game.

There's going to be huge differences in gameplay. :ahe: There's a Rock Band 2 thread in here already, and plenty of information out on the internet about what they're adding and changing.

[Shagg]

Rock Band 2 is really to update the problems Rock Band had, and perfect the imperfect. The instruments would break/malfunction, you had to create a character per instrument rather then one for all, and other things. Also there will be a song creator, a theatre, and World Tour online. So I think it's very neccesary.

EDIT: Actually the song creator is a rumor. :wail:

[Tempest]

Rock Band 2 is really to update the problems Rock Band had, and perfect the imperfect. The instruments would break/malfunction, you had to create a character per instrument rather then one for all, and other things. Also there will be a song creator, a theatre, and World Tour online. So I think it's very neccesary.

No song creator in Rock Band 2, which I think is good. I worry that Guitar Hero World Tour is going to be so focused on making that perfect that the game will be.. I don't know, unpolished.

[NVM]

DOes anyone else think that its a little unecessary to make Rock Band 2? I mean every week more songs come out and there not going to be much difference in gameplay sowhy can't everybody continue to buy the songs that they always release and forget aboutspending another 60 dollars for a new game.

I'm interested in alot of the songs and World Tour Online is awesome.

[Desert]

I'm in love with the Jukebox mode. Watching them play without me having to make them play? :hmm:

[this is not a post]

Jukebox mode? Say whaaat?

Also I would love to play online with some of you, do any of you still play it at a reasonable hour for me?

[BreakTheWalls]

Airbourne – Runnin’ Wild (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wE6qSV-ufb0) - 80 MSP - $0.99
DevilDriver – Clouds Over California (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=800HsgS03o0) - 80 MSP - $0.99
Dream Theater – Constant Motion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgP1bjCfCNI) - 80 MSP - $0.99
Killswitch Engage – My Curse (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPW9AbRMwFU) - 80 MSP - $0.99
Machine Head – Aesthetics Of Hate (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFACKpApNMg) - 80 MSP - $0.99
Megadeth – Sleepwalker (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRGBi_ii3sk) - 80 MSP - $0.99

Hell. Fucking. Yes! For those who say they're not getting Rock Band 1/2 because of GHWT's setlist obviously haven't seen this coming.

[Shagg]

What I really would have liked to see is being able to take a song from your Xbox library and being able to make RockBand tabs for it. That would have promoted the Create-a-Song feature, and also would have encouraged people to be extremely creative.

But to counter the fact that everyone could tab (somehow) all the songs that you have to buy, you would probably only be able to hold like 10 custom songs at a time.

[Tempest]

If you don't already have it, GET CONSTANT MOTION. Though I suggest you try Solo D in practice first, unless you like being sodomized with rusty torture implements. It is the hardest chart I've ever seen in any guitar hero/rock band song, and I am going on the record right now and saying nobody will get 100% on it. I don't think it is possible in the Rock Band engine. Seriously, what the FUCK.

I'll update this post with a youtube video when one is up.

EDIT:
The destruction of everything you ever thought was holy begins at 4:22. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMZ4Zsf-2OM)

[Sarge51]

It wasn't that hard. and I am pretty sure SOMEONE will 100% that song. It's possible. With enough training and immense amount of finger durability.

I am getting this though. I love a challenge.

[Desert]

:wail: Holy shit. I thought 'that's not that hard', but then it went to crazy TTFATF shit.

[Sarge51]

:wail: Holy shit. I thought 'that's not that hard', but then it went to crazy TTFATF shit.

No. No. I don't know what the hell I would call that. But NOT some TTFAF shit. That was just... unbelievable. and I got my ass kicked. Course only because I prematurely fired off my overdrive in the solo.

[Srgsweet42]

Rock band is extremely hard on drums, unless your good with drums but most of the people i know can't play drums. And that's the :facts:

[Sarge51]

Rock band is extremely hard on drums, unless your good with drums but most of the people i know can't play drums. And that's the :facts:

It's not too hard, once you just get how to play the drums well. Once you can do that, no matter what kind of chart they throw at you, you can take it out with ease. My biggest issue on the drums was firstly using my foot along with my hands and eyes. Then it was about paying attention. I can't tell you how many times I let a bass pedal note slip by because I was just kind of zoning out.

All you got to do really is get your head to comprehend rhythm and get your timing correct. Then getting your arms and leg durable.

[Desert]

Rock band is extremely hard on drums, unless your good with drums but most of the people i know can't play drums. And that's the :facts:
I don't play the drums really, and they're my favorite instrument on Expert.

[BKS]

Im more of a casual rocker, so I play on Med.

Well, the biggest thing with drums I find is the odd beat bass. You get a double then a single right back into a double and it just throws me off.

[OldGreg]

Yea the drums can be pretty hard but I had some drum experience before I played the game so it helped aloooot. The best thing is if you never played real drums playing rock band actually gives you an idea of playing real drums, I've learned how to play songs on real drums from rock band. http://www.youtube.com/user/VampirateGREEGG thats my youtube page, i got some pretty good vids up, my score hero account is the same as my user name here, OldGreg, I used to be top 150 but i stopped posting scores ):

[BreakTheWalls]

You just try the new songs on Expert Drums. Clouds Over California and Constant Motion constantly throw quick 2 part bass notes that no novice will nail on time. And then you gotta wrap your brain round the rest of the beat.

Rock Band 2 needs a double bass pedal and fast.

[Sarge51]

Rock Band 2 needs a double bass pedal and fast.

I believe the Mad Catz drums WILL have double bass. As well as awesome stuff for the other controllers. Will be sweet, from what I hear.

[Tempest]

The Rock Band 2 normal drums will have support for a double bass pedal. It will not be required, and it won't change the chart any, so everything will still be charted to be possible with a single pedal. They are just giving that functionality to people who want it.

[BoredFez69]

I think that Rock Band isn't that hard. At some points it makes me want to blow the dang thing up because I fail a song that I've done 5 million practices for to get right. I'm pretty good at all the instruments. When I was watching E3 and I heard about Rock Band 2 I found that awesome news. I hope it's better.

[Tempest]

Downloadable content revealed for next week, 8/19.

Devo - Girl U Want (new original recording) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2epq9eHW_E) - 160 MSP - $1.99

Devo - Through Being Cool (new original recording) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXyoMMAQ7U8) - 160 MSP - $1.99

Duran Duran - Girls on Film (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4-0GKccINg) - 160 MSP - $1.99

Duran Duran - Rio (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7VjrW5zgqQ) - 160 MSP - $1.99

The Janitors - Get Your Rock On (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsyRljGi-gc) - 80 MSP - $0.99

Fuck yeah, Duran Duran.

[this is not a post]

Oh shit oh shit oh shit, they're the one band my mum keeps asking me to put on for her to sing, and I really don't want to hear that.

[Frobes]

If you don't already have it, GET CONSTANT MOTION. Though I suggest you try Solo D in practice first, unless you like being sodomized with rusty torture implements. It is the hardest chart I've ever seen in any guitar hero/rock band song, and I am going on the record right now and saying nobody will get 100% on it. I don't think it is possible in the Rock Band engine. Seriously, what the FUCK.

I'll update this post with a youtube video when one is up.

EDIT:
The destruction of everything you ever thought was holy begins at 4:22. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMZ4Zsf-2OM)

I liked how the solo started out easy then slowly got harder till the rape section. I was gonna DL this but I realised I would have failed and gotten pissed:mad:

[BreakTheWalls]

Aww, I was looking forward to the Nirvana and Offspring stuff more than this. But I guess it's a few more songs I can lure my dad into playing. :)

[Tempest]

http://www.rockband.com/newsletter/1/zine-3.jpg

An excerpt from the brand new Rock Band newsletter, confirming the Rush album Moving Pictures for download next week, including new, master copies of Limelight and Tom Sawyer, and a song that will require you not to have a vocalist in your group, YYZ.

[Sarge51]

I am wondering what the vocalist will have if there is one in the group? Percussion instruments, I hope?

YYZ is a song I've been wanting on RB. I finally get to have it!

[Tempest]

Nope, it's been posted on the Rock Band forums that the song will not be selectable if there's a vocalist in the group. It would be dumb as fuck to do 4 and a half minutes of percussion anyway.

[BreakTheWalls]

Aww shit, looks like the Moving Pictures album isn't coming out for a while (http://www.rockband.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1109668#post1109668)

It had to be a Rush album where they have technical difficulties. Now it looks like it'll be weeks before that comes out. Fan-fucking-tastic. I'm guessing Harmonix are still scratching their heads how they're gonna fit Neil Peart's drumkit (http://www.andrewolson.com/Neil_Peart/snakesarrows/tour/images/img10.jpg) into 4 pads and one bass pedal.