Name: Rock Band
Genre: Rhythm
Platform: Xbox 360, PS3 (Reviewed on Xbox 360)

This year has seen an interesting flow of new, successful titles. Years of gamers complaining about incrementally upgraded sequels seems to have set in, as developers have started taking shots at certain genre ruling series. Earlier in the year we witnessed the successful dethroning of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater by EA's skate. Now, thanks to the original creators of the Guitar Hero franchise, we have a new legend of rock to end the year.

Complete with 45 of the best rock songs in the past four decades, Rock Band has put a smile on the faces of gamers ever since it was announced. Due to the latent lust everyone has for rock stardom, being able to join a simulated band on the Xbox 360 was a dream come true. The bundle comes equipped with the tools to get started: a Stratocaster guitar, USB microphone, and a full drum kit. Each has its own game play style and leads to Rock Band being a new musical experience. While it lacks a fourth guitar for playing in a full band due to production restraints, it isn't hard to find someone who will be willing to bring their tried and true Guitar Hero II X-Plorer guitar over for a few hours of shredding. Sadly, the developer of the game, Harmonix, has said they will not be able to sell single instruments until February of next year.

Denied!

Rock Band offers a smorgasbord of modes for both on and offline play. Solo Career Mode can be played on any of the game’s musical instruments to unlock all of the game’s songs. Similar to that of Guitar Hero II, the solo career walks you through each song in the game and unlocks different venues to play them in. Beating a song unlocks it and each gig gives a few dollars to spend on character customization and new instruments. While not as in depth as the instrument specific games are to their respective controllers, it still serves as a good way to hone your skills on your weapon of choice. It is a slight disappointment due to the rest of the game’s polish and glamour that the Solo Career doesn't give a full experience. This could be for a number of reasons, but the most obvious is because Rock Band isn't meant to be played alone.



Multiplayer is where the game kicks it into overdrive and Band World Tour is the crux of a proper Rock Band experience. From the dingy grunge clubs of Seattle to the stadiums of the United Kingdom, Rock Band gives players a crash course in the life of a rock star. Up to four players can join together to create the band they want, and unlike the Solo Career Mode the issues move from unlocking new songs to getting a manager and a PR firm. Each successful show gives stars, money, and fans – all of which necessary to attain the true status of a rock and roll legend. Loading screens even show your band members climbing into their private jet or posing for a photo shoot. The experience is unmatched in its genre and the only complaint is that it is strictly offline. Harmonix has said they might implement an online version of this mode in the future but, to be honest, I wouldn't hold my breath. The online features in Rock Band all work exactly as hoped, with competitive modes and four player jams that can be set up in a matter of seconds over Xbox Live. 

Character customization is an impressive addition to an already standout title. The game doesn't only allow you to pick from one or two costumes, but to create your own band member in detail. Tattoos, face paint, and thousands of outfit options are available to be purchased with in-game money. There is really no limit to what can be done with the customization, and while it isn't as big on changing specific facial features as an MMO is, it does give more options of shoes. Creating yourself, your friends, or even your favorite rock star really give the game nicer feeling, especially when you see that they are lip-syncing the words you sing or playing the beats you hit. While you will spend more time watching the notes then watching the characters, it is still nice to see your avatar out of the corner of your eye matching your motions.



The guitar is really hit or miss, with most of the people disliking it being Guitar Hero veterans. It may look more like a real guitar and have five extra buttons (used mostly for shredding), but the strum is a big change. Unlike the solid, clicky strum of the X-Plorer and the Les Paul, the Stratocaster is loose, having no real resistance. Unlike the Guitar Hero elitists, I actually prefer the new guitar. The buttons are easier to hit, and the floppy strum makes it feel more real, adding volumes to the overall experience.

Most exciting (for me, at least) is the inclusion of a drum kit. Playing a guitar by pressing buttons isn't really a simulation, but it is hard to fake hitting circles with sticks. Rock Band's drum kit feels like really playing the drums and odds are if Harmonix put their mind to it and money wasn't an option they could turn this section into a true drum training device. It is harder then the other instruments and gives a real sense of accomplishment once the songs are complete.

Singing in Rock Band can be played in several different ways. If you are a truly gifted vocalist then your abilities are only limited by your knowledge of the song. On the other side of the spectrum there is the generic gamer, who can still play most of the songs on even the harder settings by playing it like a game. The on screen display shows your current pitch and the target one, changes in voice influence where the arrow is pointing. While it may not sound like Gene Simmons when I recite the lyrics to Detroit Rock City I can sure as hell pass the song on hard. Some songs are light on the lyrics and fill the gap with a rhythm based tapping exercise to simulate a cowbell, tambourine, or clapping with the audience. It isn’t a requirement and you won’t fail for missing out on the tapping, but it is the least they could do for songs with minutes in-between vocals. The singing component to the game is a really nice addition and as long as looking silly isn’t an issue it can be one of the most fun section.



The track list is fantastic but a bit on the shallow side. Songs like the Beastie Boy’s Sabotage and Sweet's Ballroom Blitz are endurance runs for players, while Hole’s Celebrity Skin and the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s Maps rely more on precision and style to pass. With only 45 mainstream songs you will end up repeating the same few over and over again in Band World Tour. There also appears to be some type of glitch or problem in the game that makes it so some songs repeat to a nauseating level. After a few hours of Band World Tour I can sing Say it Aint So and In Bloom on any setting without looking at the screen.  There is also the issue of downloadable contents costs. While it is a leap away from Guitar Hero II’s insane prices I would hope that we would get a few free downloads due to the lack of songs on the game itself.

Each instrument is slightly less complicated then it is in the games dedicated to them alone. The microphone isn't as accurate as it is in Singstar and the Guitar isn't as difficult as it is in Guitar Hero. An unavoidable fact about Rock Band is that if you don't have people to play it with you aren't going to have fun. It is yet to be known whether or not this is a commentary for or against the game. Rock Band is still so new and fresh that it is more difficult to figure out which chips to buy then to get three people to play with. It isn't meant to be as much of a challenge as the other games in the genre – just to be more fun.  It may not be perfect, with its limited song list and high price point, but Rock Band is worth every penny if you can wrestle up three people who care more about having fun then how they look while doing it.